What is Shockwave Therapy ?
If you’re dealing with a stubborn tendon or muscle pain—say in your elbow or hamstring—your doctor might suggest shockwave therapy. Don’t worry, it’s nothing like those dramatic shock treatments from old movies. This isn’t about jolts of electricity.
Instead, shockwave therapy is quite straightforward. Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive regenerative treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain in various musculoskeletal conditions.
It accomplishes this by releasing growth factors in the injured tissue. It doesn't need surgery and doesn't hurt. It's like giving your body a gentle nudge to help it heal itself.
Let's take a quick trip back to when shockwave therapy started. It wasn't always about fixing sore muscles and joints.
Originally developed in the early 1980s to break up kidney stones, this innovative therapy has since been adapted to treat a wide range of sports injuries and chronic pain conditions. By delivering targeted sound waves to injured tissues, shockwave therapy promotes the body’s natural healing process, making it an effective option for reducing pain and enhancing recovery.
What Injuries Can Shockwave Therapy Help With?
Shockwave therapy can help with many types of pain and injuries. Here are some common ones:
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Scar Tissue
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Tennis elbow
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Shoulder tendinopathy
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Achilles tendinopathy
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Patella tendinopathy (Jumper’s knee)
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Shin splints
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Hamstring injuries
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Golfer’s elbow
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Calcific tendinopathy
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Rotator cuff
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Heel spurs
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Gluteal tendinitis
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Adhesive capsulitis (Frozen shoulder)
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Muscle Tears
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work ?
Shockwave therapy works by delivering high-energy shockwaves to the affected area, which stimulates the body’s natural healing process. These shockwaves increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote the production of collagen, a crucial protein for tissue repair.
This combination of effects leads to a reduction in pain and an improvement in function. Shockwave therapy is versatile and can be used to treat conditions such as tendinopathies, bursitis, and osteoarthritis, making it a valuable tool in physical therapy and sports medicine.
Typically administered by a sports medicine specialist or physical therapist, this treatment can be used in conjunction with physical therapy to maximize recovery outcomes. The combined approach helps to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and improve overall function.
What to Expect from Treatment
During a shockwave therapy session, the patient lies on a table while the therapist applies a gel to the area being treated.
This gel helps the acoustic waves from the handheld device transmit more effectively into the tissues. The therapist then administers high-energy waves directly to the targeted tissues using the device.
Each treatment session typically lasts between 5 to 20 minutes and is usually painless, though some individuals may feel mild discomfort which quickly subsides.
The entire process involves multiple sessions, where the duration, number of pulses, and intensity of the shockwaves are tailored to meet the patient's specific needs. Most patients are able to immediately resume their normal activities after the therapy with little to no downtime required.
There's no need for cuts, no risk of infection, and you won't be stuck in bed recovering for ages.
Shockwave Therapy: Focused vs. Radial
Focused shockwave therapy (F-SWT) and radial shockwave therapy (R-SWT) differ in their application and effects. Radial pressure wave therapy, another term for R-SWT, generates pressure waves that peak at the applicator but diminish in intensity as they move deeper into the body.
This contrasts with F-SWT, which delivers faster, more intense waves that penetrate deeper tissues. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right therapy for specific conditions.
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Focused Shockwave Therapy: This type reaches deeper into the body and is more accurate.
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Radial Shockwave Therapy: This type covers a bigger area but doesn't go as deep.
How effective is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment, especially beneficial for chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
It works by targeting injured tissues with calibrated shockwaves, which help in several ways. It Delivers strong shockwaves, causing microtrauma and cavitation bubbles which Improves blood flow and activates cells for tissue repair.
Numerous peer-reviewed studies have investigated the efficacy of shockwave therapy.
Pain Relief
Many patients experience a significant decrease in pain—about 70-80%—after just a few treatments. Effective for specific ailments like plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow, as confirmed by studies in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Inflammation Reduction
The therapy also reduces inflammation by lowering inflammatory cytokines by 30% and decreasing the number of inflammatory cells within joints by 25%. This helps alleviate pain and stiffness, enhancing patient comfort.
Improved Blood Flow
Shockwave therapy promotes the growth of new blood vessels by 45%, enhancing blood circulation to the affected areas and speeding up the healing process. This improvement in blood flow is crucial for effective treatment outcomes.
Cellular Repair and Tissue Regeneration
On a cellular level, shockwave therapy fosters tissue repair and growth. It increases levels of essential growth factors like eNOS and VEGF by up to 40%, boosts collagen production by 50% for repairing connective tissues, and accelerates cell growth rates by 35%, facilitating rapid recovery and regeneration of damaged tissues.
Shockwave Therapy Benefits for Pain Relief
Shockwave therapy provides a revolutionary, cost-effective solution that rapidly alleviates pain, enhances mobility, and accelerates tissue healing—improving your overall quality of life without the need for invasive procedures or medications.
The sensation experienced during shockwave therapy is often likened to a deep tissue massage, which patients find both intense and beneficial.
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Activates stem cell healing
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Reduces Pain quickly
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Improves ease of mobility
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Benefits extend far beyond initial treatment.
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Increases blood circulation
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Rapid results that are scientifically validated.
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Avoids pharmaceuticals.
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No surgery, no incisions.
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Proven and secure method for various conditions.
What's great about shockwave therapy is it doesn't involve cutting you open, putting you to sleep, or making you stay in the hospital.
This means you won't have to worry about the usual surgery risks like getting an infection or having trouble with anesthesia.
Shockwave Therapy Compared to other therapies
Shockwave therapy is often compared to other treatment options for musculoskeletal conditions. Here’s how it stacks up against some common alternatives:
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Shockwave Therapy vs. Surgery
Shockwave therapy is safer than surgery. Surgery can bring risks like infections and anesthesia problems. Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, meaning no cuts, no scars, and fewer risks. It’s also cheaper.
A full shockwave treatment plan costs between $400 and $1500. Surgery can cost a lot more from $20,000 to $50,000. You recover faster with shockwave therapy. You can get back to normal life almost right away.
Surgery can take weeks or months to recover from. Both can really help but shockwave therapy is less trouble. It treats muscle pain and tendinitis well without needing to cut you open. Surgery might be needed for very bad damage but shockwave therapy is great for many problems.
Typically, there are no side effects. Some may feel slight discomfort during treatment, but it’s generally well-tolerated.
Are there any side effects or complications?
Shockwave therapy is very safe and non-invasive, especially compared to surgery or long-term medication. Here’s what you need to know:
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Shockwave Therapy is safe with minimal risks.
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Fewer complications and faster recovery than surgery.
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No long-term medication side effects like stomach issues.
Who Should Not Undergo Shockwave Therapy?
Avoid Shockwave Therapy if you:
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Have circulation or nerve disorders
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Show signs of infection
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Have bone conditions in affected areas
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Have open wounds
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Are pregnant
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Use blood-thinning medication
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Have severe circulatory disorders
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Are a child
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Have a cardiac pacemaker
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Received a corticosteroid injection within the last 3 months
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Are currently receiving cancer treatment
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Have a blood clotting disorder
It is essential to consult with sports medicine specialists to determine the most appropriate treatment options for your condition.
What Happens After Your Treatment
Here's what to expect after your session:
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Back to Normal
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Feeling a Bit Sore
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More Sessions
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Pain Relief
Shockwave therapy is quick, doesn't break the skin, and doesn't need any time to recover, so it fits easily into a busy life.
After your treatment, you can usually just keep going with your day. Your therapist will keep an eye on how you're doing and tweak your treatment plan to make sure you get the best results.
Shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive, effective solution for a range of musculoskeletal issues without the need for surgery or long-term medication.
By using sound waves to promote healing at the cellular level, this treatment can significantly reduce pain and improve functionality. It is particularly beneficial for conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendinopathy.
Patients benefit from minimal downtime and side effects, making it a convenient option for those with active lifestyles. Although the cost per session can vary, the overall expense is often lower compared to surgery or prolonged medication use.
With its ability to stimulate tissue repair and enhance blood flow, shockwave therapy stands out as a cost-effective and safe alternative to traditional treatments.
