When Chronic Pain Isn’t Where You Think: A Case Study in Lasting Relief
Looking Beyond the Symptom
Many people come to us after trying multiple treatments, traditional physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, and even specialized therapies including injections and medications without lasting relief.
This was the case for a recent patient who had been dealing with:
Chronic numbness in the right foot
Pain and numbness along the back and outer left knee
Persistent right big toe pain and plantar fascia pain
Ongoing low back pain with a sense of instability
Despite extensive care, these symptoms were not improving.
This case required thoughtful “detective work” to determine what was truly coming from the right foot versus what was being referred from the back.
Why Some Symptoms Don’t Resolve
Pain and numbness don’t always originate where you feel them. This is why it’s so important to look beyond the location of symptoms.
In many cases, the painful side isn’t actually the “tight” side- it’s the weaker side. Muscles may be guarding due to joint hypermobility, excessive movement, or underlying instability.
Treating only the painful area often doesn’t lead to lasting results. That area frequently needs strength and stability, while another region may require mobility or hands-on treatment.
For example:
Foot symptoms can be driven by irritation from the low back or sacroiliac (SI) joint
Knee pain may be related to nerve pathways rather than the joint itself
Chronic instability can keep the nervous system in a protective state, limiting healing
When treatment focuses only on the area of pain, it can miss the true source. Taking a more comprehensive, “outside-the-box” approach is essential.
A Different Approach
At Dynamic Flow Physical Therapy, we combined:
A thorough movement and neurological assessment
One-on-one, hands-on care
Targeted use of SoftWave therapy to support healing and guide treatment
We initially focused on comprehensive physical therapy- addressing posture, strength, mobility, movement habits, hands-on work, and education.
Once we introduced SoftWave therapy in the clinic, we used it strategically to address symptoms that were not fully resolving with physical therapy alone.
Phase 1: Treating the Foot
We began by treating the right big toe and plantar aspect of the foot with SoftWave therapy to address local joint pain and dysfunction.
After 4 sessions:
Approximately 80% resolution of chronic joint pain in the foot
Improved mobility and gait mechanics
Better push-off through the big toe during walking
Improved tolerance to daily activities
However, the numbness remained—an important clue that the root cause had not yet been fully addressed.
Phase 2: Addressing the Root Cause
We suspected the numbness was not coming from the foot itself, but rather being referred from the lower back—specifically the L4–L5 segment.
We shifted treatment to the low back and SI joint.
After just 2 targeted sessions:
Complete resolution of numbness in the left posterior-lateral knee
Approximately 60% improvement in right foot numbness
This confirmed that the primary driver of symptoms was coming from the spine and nervous system, not just the foot.
Why This Matters
This case highlights how valuable it is to identify the true source of symptoms as quickly as possible.
SoftWave therapy played an important role not just as a treatment, but as a diagnostic tool. By observing how the body responded to treatment in different areas, we were able to confirm or refine our clinical hypothesis.
Pain can be complex. It may come from:
Local joint issues
Referred nerve symptoms
Multiple contributing factors
The faster we identify the true driver, the faster we can get meaningful results.
When Previous Treatments Haven’t Worked
This patient had previously tried:
Traditional physical therapy
Massage therapy
Lymphatic treatments
…without meaningful improvement in these specific symptoms.
The difference was not just the treatment itself, but:
Identifying the true source of dysfunction
Using the right intervention at the right time
Continuously adjusting the plan based on the body’s response
The Role of SoftWave Therapy
SoftWave therapy can be a valuable addition to care because it:
Supports tissue healing and regeneration
Improves blood flow and cellular activity
Helps reduce pain, allowing better movement
Assists in identifying where the body needs treatment
It is not typically a standalone solution, but when combined with expert evaluation and individualized care, it can significantly accelerate progress.
If you’ve been dealing with:
Persistent numbness
Pain that doesn’t match imaging
Symptoms that haven’t improved despite multiple treatments
…it may not be that your body isn’t healing.
It may be that the true source of the problem hasn’t been addressed yet.
A More Complete Approach to Care
At Dynamic Flow Physical Therapy, we focus on:
Identifying root causes- not just symptoms
Integrating advanced therapies when appropriate
Providing one-on-one, individualized treatment
If you’re ready for a more thorough and thoughtful approach to your care, we’re here to help. Every body responds differently to treatment. We have seen amazing success with our specialized approach with physical therapy and also with combination of SoftWave therapy, while we strive for the best possible outcomes, results vary from person to person. This content is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.