Shockwave Therapy
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy (also known as Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy or (ESWT) is a noninvasive treatment that uses powerful shockwaves to address various physical conditions, particularly in tendons, joints, and muscles. This therapy is delivered via a specialized Shockwave machine, which generates mechanical pressure absorbed by body tissues to promote healing and pain relief.
Applications of Shockwave Therapy:
Musculoskeletal Conditions: It effectively treats issues like tennis elbow, chronic tendinitis (shoulder, knee, Achilles), plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs. It is especially useful for chronic conditions that have been difficult to treat with other methods.
Bone Healing: Shockwave therapy has also been used to promote bone healing in cases of non-healing fractures and bone necrosis, providing a non-surgical alternative.
Wound Healing: It has shown positive short- and long-term results in treating diabetic foot ulcers.
How Shockwaves Work: Shockwaves are produced by a rapid change in pressure, moving through air or liquid faster than sound. These waves can have a therapeutic effect on the human body, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. This therapy has proven effective for pain relief and faster recovery in both sports injuries and chronic pain conditions.
4 Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
1
Improve Blood Flow
Shockwave Therapy can help improve blood flow by increasing blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation, breaking down scar tissue and improving cellular function.
2
Release Trigger Points
By reducing muscle tension, your muscles begin to relax instead of being tight, reducing pressure on trigger points.
3
Stimulation of Collagen
By inducing controlled microtrauma, shockwave therapy triggers a healing response that promotes the synthesis of collagen, a vital component of connective tissue.
4
Improve Blood Flow
Shockwave Therapy is a strong option for patients who want to avoid surgery, prescription medication or injections. Activate your own stem cells without invasive procedures.
What Can Shockwave Therapy Help With?
Shockwave therapy has been shown to be effective on a wide range of chronic conditions. Here are some examples of conditions where SWT has been shown to effectively treat symptoms and improve function.
Can Help With
Chronic pain affects over 40% of the population here in the US. Shockwave therapy is at the forefront of treating chronic pain without drugs, injections or surgery.
Does the Treatment Hurt?
There may be a slight feeling of discomfort during the treatment, depending on the level of pain the patient is already experiencing in the area. However, most patients are able to tolerate this discomfort. Additionally, the intensity of the treatment can be adjusted throughout the session.
How many treatments will I need and how often?
The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so you will typically need more than one treatment. Very often though, you will experience relief right after the first treatment. Most indications require 3–5 treatments which are done 3–10 days apart, depending on the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response.
