Foot Pain Relief, Without Drugs
ActiPatch® is an FDA 510(k)-cleared (K192234), drug-free wearable for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain at the painful area of the foot. Individual results vary.
ActiPatch® is an FDA 510(k) cleared (K192234), drug-free wearable that delivers pulsed shortwave therapy at 27.12 MHz for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. One device provides 720 therapy hours and costs $39.99 at painkiller.care. It may be positioned over musculoskeletal pain associated with foot pain; individual results vary and it does not address the underlying condition.
How Foot Pain Can Limit Your Day
Foot pain can make standing, walking, and daily errands uncomfortable. Foot pain has many possible causes; ask a clinician about persistent or worsening symptoms.
Targeted Therapy for Foot Pain
ActiPatch® provides nonthermal, noncontact pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) over the painful area of the foot. Wear the self-contained device directly on the skin secured with the included tape or wrap, or over thin/light clothing, as directed in the package insert. Thick fabric reduces therapy reaching the area. It is an adjunct to your existing care for pain relief only; it does not address the underlying condition.
ActiPatch® is FDA 510(k)-cleared under K192234 for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It is for pain relief only; it does not address the underlying condition. Individual results vary.
What You May Notice
Getting started
Place the treatment loop over the painful area of the foot as directed in the package insert.
With regular use
Notice whether foot pain changes with use; some people may not experience relief.
Over time
Review persistent or worsening symptoms with your healthcare professional.
There is no guaranteed relief schedule; response and timing vary between people.
Where to Place It
Place the device directly over the area of discomfort:
Wear ActiPatch® directly on the skin secured with the included tape or wrap, or over thin/light clothing such as a t-shirt or leggings. Thick fabric can reduce therapy reaching the area. Follow the package insert for positioning.
- Heel if it is the site of pain
- Arch where discomfort is felt
- Top or side of the foot over the painful area
Position the treatment loop over the site of pain and secure it according to the supplied instructions; keep the device dry.
The Science Behind It
ActiPatch® uses pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT), a nonthermal, noncontact form of PEMF technology operating at 27.12 MHz. Unlike TENS, it is a self-contained wearable with no electrode pads or lead wires to manage. Designed to operate without perceptible heat or tingling from the device. FDA 510(k) K192234 clears ActiPatch® for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
What foot pain can feel like
Foot pain may be sharp beneath the heel when you first stand, a dull ache through the arch, or tenderness across the top or outside of the foot. The pattern after rest versus during activity is helpful to describe. Not all foot pain is plantar fasciitis, and its location matters.
Common musculoskeletal contributors
Overuse, muscle or tendon strain, and stress through the heel or arch are possible contributors. Footwear and activity changes may coincide with symptoms, but they cannot confirm a diagnosis. ActiPatch is intended for adjunctive relief of musculoskeletal pain; it does not correct foot mechanics or treat a tissue injury.
When to see a clinician
Seek prompt assessment for foot pain after a significant injury, an inability to bear weight, or marked redness, swelling, or fever. New numbness or a foot wound needs clinical attention. If discomfort persists or spreads, a clinician can consider possible causes rather than treating every sore foot as routine overuse.
Where to position the loop
Place the loop over the actual area of discomfort, whether that is the heel, arch, or another part of the foot, as directed in the package insert. Avoid placing it against an open wound. If pain is concentrated over a bone after repeated impact, ask a clinician about the cause before relying on self-care.
Wearing it during your day
Check that socks and shoes do not bunch up or move the loop while walking. Secure on skin with the included tape or a wrap, or wear over a single thin sock where placement allows. Heavy footwear and thick socks between device and skin may reduce therapy reaching the area. Keep the electronics dry.
What does the published evidence say?
Brook and colleagues published a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in plantar fasciitis in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (2012), reporting less first-step morning heel pain in the active group than placebo. This is directly relevant to plantar-fasciitis-associated heel pain, but not a trial of every type of foot pain. It provides evidence about pain relief, not a claim that the device resolves plantar fasciitis or another foot condition. See the science page for limitations.
Source: Brook et al., Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2012. Read the ActiPatch science overview.
Important Usage Guidelines
Not a Cure: ActiPatch® is intended for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain, not a cure for foot pain.
Water Resistance: The device is not waterproof. Remove it before showering, bathing, or swimming.
Contraindications: Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other active implanted metallic or electronic device. Follow the supplied instructions for use.
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 improve: If pain does not improve after 7 days of use, stop and consult a doctor. If you are under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before use.
See the package insert for full contraindications, warnings and precautions.