Heel Pain Relief, Without Drugs
A drug-free option for heel pain from plantar fasciitis, worn alongside your current care.
ActiPatch® is a drug-free wearable, FDA 510(k)-cleared (K192234) for over-the-counter (OTC) adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It offers up to 720 therapy hours and can be used alongside other care for musculoskeletal pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Results vary; it does not treat the underlying condition.
Take the 5-minute Pain Check for this area
Less pain. More everyday life.
ActiPatch® offers drug-free, wearable relief for everyday musculoskeletal pain, including back, knee, shoulder, neck, foot and heel pain, and muscle and joint aches.
Wear it for hours as directed, with no drugs, no appointments to use it, and up to 720 therapy hours per device.
Rest and recharge
When pain eases, it can be easier to settle down for sleep and feel ready for the day.
Keep your independence
When pain eases, it can be easier to stay active, manage everyday tasks, and focus at work.
Make room for connection
When pain eases, it can be easier to enjoy family and friends, nurture relationships, and make space for a brighter mood.
In a 6-month ActiPatch® follow-up, 60% reported better sleep and 53% were more active.
Staelin, Koneru, and Rawe (2019) followed 240 users who had relief in week 1. Self-reported, with no placebo group. Individual results vary.
Read the ActiPatch® research and its limitationsMood and relationship benefits are possibilities of less pain, not measured ActiPatch® results.
ActiPatch® is FDA cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
How it works
ActiPatch® is a self-contained wearable that uses pulsed shortwave therapy for drug-free pain support. There are no electrode pads or wires to connect, and no noticeable heat or tingling sensation from the device.
Each device gives up to 720 therapy hours. Follow the package insert for use.
Safety and when to stop
- Not a Cure: ActiPatch® is intended for the symptomatic relief and management of musculoskeletal pain. It is not a cure for plantar fasciitis.
- Water Resistance: The device is not waterproof. You must remove it before showering, bathing, or swimming to avoid damaging the electronics.
- Contraindications: Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other active implanted metallic or electronic device.
- Pregnancy: Do not use if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
- Not for children: Not for use by or on children under 17.
- Pain of unknown cause: Do not use for sudden or unexplained pain, or if the cause of the pain is unknown. Not for pain deep in the body such as the chest or stomach, and not for cancer-related pain.
- Open wounds: The device is not sterile. Do not place it in direct contact with open wounds.
- If pain does not ease: Check in with your doctor if the pain changes, gets worse, or isn't easing after a few weeks. If you are under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before use.
See the package insert for full contraindications, warnings, and precautions.
Keep Track of Your Heel Pain
- Before use: Note when heel pain bothers you, such as your first steps or time spent standing.
- During use: Compare pain during similar everyday activities, rather than expecting a set timeline.
- At a care visit: Share your notes and ask about pain that persists or worsens.
There is no guaranteed relief schedule; individual results and timing vary.
Where to Place It
Where to Place It
- Center the loop under the painful heel.
- Or center it along the arch if that is where it hurts.
Put it on in four steps
- 1Find the spotPick the one area that hurts most, using the map above.
- 2Center the loopPlace the loop so the sore spot sits in the middle of it.
- 3Secure itUse the included tape or a wrap, as the package insert directs.
- 4Switch on, then recheckCheck the loop is still centered after putting your shoes on.
Quick fit check
- Do: On the skin, or over thin clothing such as a T-shirt or leggings.
- Avoid: No thick socks between the loop and your skin.
- Avoid: Footwear can move it. Recheck after putting your shoes on.
- Avoid: Keep it off open wounds and broken skin.
- Do: Made for everyday wear, including activity and sweating, with IP22-rated water protection. Remove before showering, bathing, or swimming.
Tip for this area: Secure it on skin with the included tape or a wrap, or over one thin sock where appropriate. Keep the loop close to the skin and avoid thick socks or bulky footwear between device and skin.
Research and background (optional reading)
Pay attention to those first steps
Heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis is often most noticeable when first getting out of bed or standing after sitting. You might feel it under the heel or along the arch. Note what happens after rest and as you continue moving. A similar sensation can have another cause, so the pattern alone cannot confirm plantar fasciitis.
What the plantar fascia is
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue beneath the foot. Repeated stress on structures in this area can contribute to heel discomfort. Activity, footwear, and time on your feet may affect symptoms without establishing a diagnosis. ActiPatch® can be used alongside other care for musculoskeletal pain, but does not change the underlying plantar fascia condition.
When heel pain needs another look
Seek assessment for heel pain after injury, inability to bear weight, a red or hot foot, or a new wound. Sudden unexplained pain or numbness also needs medical advice. If first-step pain does not improve or becomes more persistent, ask a clinician to evaluate it rather than assuming all heel pain is plantar fasciitis.
Keep placement centered on heel or arch pain
Follow the package insert and center the loop under the painful heel, or along the arch if that is where it hurts, not another part of the foot. Avoid direct contact with blisters or open wounds. This placement is for pain relief at the site of discomfort; it does not correct how your foot moves or replace care recommended by your clinician.
Check the fit once your shoes are on
Putting on shoes can slide the loop away from the sore spot. Recheck placement and secure it on skin with the included tape or a wrap, or over one thin sock where appropriate. Keep the loop close to the skin and avoid thick socks or bulky footwear between device and skin. Remove before showering, bathing, or swimming.
What does the published evidence say?
Brook and colleagues' 2012 double-blind, placebo-controlled plantar fasciitis trial compared active therapy with an inactive device. Participants and assessors did not know which treatment was assigned. The study reported a difference in first-step morning heel pain between groups, an outcome relevant to the pattern described here. It concerns pain relief, not repair of the plantar fascia, and does not show that every person will respond. Read the original paper and science page for this study's details, other evidence, and limitations.
Source: Brook et al., Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2012. Read the ActiPatch® science overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear it over clothing?
Yes. Wear ActiPatch® directly on the skin with the included tape, or over a thin layer of clothing such as a t-shirt or leggings. Avoid thick fabric between the device and the skin. Follow the package insert for positioning.
Does ActiPatch® address the underlying plantar fasciitis?
No. ActiPatch® is for musculoskeletal pain relief, not treatment of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue along the sole of your foot. It can be used alongside clinician-recommended stretches, footwear changes, or other care without replacing them.
How can I tell whether my heel pain is changing?
Compare the pain during your first steps after waking or sitting, rather than judging by one unusually good or bad day. There is no fixed relief schedule, and some people may not experience relief. Check in with your doctor if the pain changes, gets worse, or isn't easing after a few weeks.
Can I wear it with socks and shoes?
Follow the package insert and center the loop under the painful heel, or along the arch if that is where it hurts. Check that your shoe does not press on the device or slide it away from that spot. A single thin sock may sit between the loop and skin; avoid thick layers and direct contact with blisters or open wounds.
Can I wear it in the shower?
No. The device is not waterproof. Remove it before showering, bathing, or swimming.
Is ActiPatch® a heel pain patch like a lidocaine or heat patch?
No. Lidocaine patches numb the skin with a drug for 8 to 12 hours per patch, and heat wraps warm the skin for about 8 hours, then both are thrown away. ActiPatch® is a drug-free, nonthermal medical device worn over the painful area. It is FDA cleared for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain and one device provides up to 720 therapy hours.
How long should I wear ActiPatch® for heel pain?
Follow the package insert. ActiPatch® can be worn for hours at a time, including overnight, as long as it stays over the painful area. Many people wear it through the day and night at first, then as needed. Individual results vary. Check in with your doctor if the pain changes, gets worse, or isn't easing after a few weeks.
How might ActiPatch® fit into everyday life?
ActiPatch® offers drug-free, wearable relief as an adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Wear it for hours as directed, with up to 720 therapy hours per device and no appointments needed to use it. When pain eases, it can be easier to sleep, stay active, focus at work, and enjoy time with family and friends. Mood and relationship benefits are possibilities of less pain, not measured ActiPatch® results. Individual results vary.
Explore ActiPatch® for Heel Pain
Compare 1, 2 and 3 device packs.