Walking around Manhattan in flip-flops seemed like a great idea until you picked up that stubborn plantar wart. Now, months later, you've tried every drugstore remedy imaginable, and that annoying bump on your foot is still there, maybe even bigger than before.
If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. We see patients at our Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Flushing offices all the time who've been battling the same wart for months or even years. The good news? There's a newer treatment called Swift therapy that's been a game-changer for many of our patients.
What Are These Stubborn Things Anyway?
Plantar warts are basically your foot's unwanted houseguests. They're caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) that sneaks in through tiny cuts on your feet (think public pools, gym showers, or even just walking barefoot around the city). Unlike warts elsewhere on your body, plantar warts get pushed inward from all the pressure of walking, which makes them particularly stubborn.
You'll know you're dealing with one if you notice a rough, grainy bump on the bottom of your foot that hurts when you press on it or walk. Sometimes they look like thick calluses, but if you look closely, you might see tiny black dots—those are actually clotted blood vessels, not dirt.
The frustrating thing about plantar warts is they're contagious and persistent. You can spread them to other parts of your foot or pass them to family members, and they have an annoying habit of coming back even after you think they're gone.
What Is Swift Therapy?
Swift therapy takes a completely different approach than those painful freezing treatments or harsh acid applications you might have tried. Instead of trying to burn or cut out the wart, Swift uses controlled microwave energy to heat up the infected tissue and essentially wake up your immune system.
Think of it this way: your immune system hasn't been recognizing the virus as a threat, so it's been ignoring it. Swift gives your body a gentle nudge to say, "Hey, there's something here that doesn't belong," and then your own immune system does the heavy lifting.
Does It Actually Work?
Here's what we've seen in our practices: Swift has been incredibly effective, especially for those stubborn warts that laugh in the face of over-the-counter treatments. Clinical studies show success rates around 83% after just 3-4 treatments spaced about a month apart.
What our patients love most about Swift:
It's genuinely quick. We're talking 5-10 minutes total, and you're done.
No recovery time. You can literally walk out and catch the subway to work.
No open wounds. Unlike freezing or cutting, there's nothing to bandage or keep dry.
It's tolerable. Most people describe it as feeling like a brief hot sensation—uncomfortable for a few seconds, but nothing compared to liquid nitrogen.
It works on resistant cases. We've had success with warts that have been around for years and haven't responded to anything else.
What's It Really Like?
When you come in for Swift treatment, we'll clean the area and then apply the microwave probe directly to the wart. You'll feel heat for about 2-3 seconds per application—some people compare it to someone pressing a warm coffee mug against their foot. We typically do several applications in one session, but the whole thing is over quickly.
The best part? You walk out normally. No limping, no special shoes, no keeping your foot dry for days. You can head straight back to work or hit the gym if you want.
Don't expect the wart to disappear overnight, though. Your immune system needs time to do its job—usually a few weeks to a couple of months. But unlike surface treatments that just remove the visible part, Swift is working to eliminate the virus itself, which means a much lower chance of the wart coming back.
Is Swift Right for Your Situation?
Swift tends to work well for most people, but it's especially worth considering if you've been dealing with warts that won't quit, you're tired of painful treatments, or you just want something that won't disrupt your busy NYC lifestyle.
During your consultation at any of our offices, we can take a look at your specific situation and let you know if Swift makes sense for you. Every wart is a little different, and we want to make sure you're getting the treatment that's most likely to work.
Ready to finally say goodbye to those stubborn plantar warts? Let's talk about whether Swift therapy could be your solution.
