Shockwave therapy is a relatively new and exciting field of medical treatment that is quickly gaining attention due to its potential to provide relief from many types of chronic conditions and ailments. It is a non-invasive, drug-free form of therapy that uses sound waves to target specific areas of the body and stimulate healing.
Shockwave therapy is still in its early stages of development, but so far it has shown promise as an effective, safe, and cost-effective treatment for a wide range of conditions including musculoskeletal pain, tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis. Let us explore the benefits of shockwave therapy and how it works.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a medical treatment that has been around for many years. A shockwave is a high-pressure acoustic sound wave that delivers vibrations. The term “shockwave” may sound frightening and intimidating, but the device used to administer it is harmless.
A shockwave is created from a device that looks like a small, handheld wand. It transmits sound waves that travel through the skin and into the body’s bones, tendons, and soft tissues.
The sound waves break down and liquefy areas of scar tissue and adhesions that have formed in the body, allowing them to be reabsorbed and eliminated by the body. This process allows the body to heal itself naturally and with less pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
Shockwave therapy is used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal and sports injuries, such as kidney stones, plantar fasciitis, tennis/golfer’s elbow, knee pain, shin splints, and chronic back pain, erectile dysfunction, and a whole lot more.
Many of these conditions are caused by adhesions or areas of fibrous tissue that form inside the body as a result of injury. Shockwaves can break down and liquefy these adhesions, allowing the organs and tissues to function normally again and improving the quality of life of the patient.
It is safe and effective!
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment, making it a safe alternative to medication or invasive procedures. Not only that, it is estimated that shockwave therapy can treat up to 10 times more tissues than what can be treated with traditional treatments such as surgery, injections, and various forms of laser therapy. After treatment, patients can expect less pain and a more excellent range of motion.
Santa Cruz CORE offers safe, effective, and personalized treatments for shockwave therapy. Our providers are skilled and talented, with many years of education and practice in regenerative medicine. Our providers are also compassionate about patient care and use cutting-edge technology like our shockwave machine to bring you to optimum health and function.
As with any treatment, Shockwave has its limits.
Shockwave therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for various conditions. However, it is also important to know the potential risks and side effects of shockwave therapy. Sound waves themselves are strong and may cause a slight stinging or tingling sensation, though this does not cause any tissue damage. Also, keep in mind that a shockwave is a form of alternative medicine, and it is not a cure-all treatment.
Shockwave therapy is not for everyone, and it is important to first discuss it with our physician, Dr. John Grady, D.O., to determine if it is the right treatment option for you.
It is an efficient and fast-emerging therapy.
A shockwave session takes between 15 to 20 minutes depending on the injury of the patient. Depending on their condition, some patients feel relief after as little as one or two treatments. Generally, it takes about three to six sessions over a period of several weeks to feel great again. Some individuals respond differently to the treatment, so it is also difficult sometimes to predict how long full recovery will take, though it is generally very efficient.
As research continues, more and more studies are underway to explore the potential for shockwave therapy as a treatment option for even more conditions and types of dysfunction. We can already see the amazing capabilities of shockwave therapy in our own clinic and across the board at clinics using it to treat their patients, and with increased use, it can become even more accessible and convenient.
Take another look at the many conditions that can be treated safely with shockwave therapy.
Conditions that can be treated with shockwave therapy:
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic back pain
- Shin splints
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
- Insertional Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Trigger Finger
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Hip Pain
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
- Knee Patellar Tendonitis
- Jumper’s Knee
- Calcifications
- Much More
Conclusion
Shockwave therapy is an emerging treatment method that has shown great potential for treating a variety of conditions. It is an effective and non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to break down fibrous tissue, triggering the body’s natural healing response to allow for regeneration and overall improvement in the patient’s range of motion.
It will not work for every condition, and it is not guaranteed to provide immediate relief. The fact that it is non-invasive makes it an attractive option for people who are looking for a treatment that is minimally invasive and has very few risks. Shockwave therapy is not appropriate for everyone. It is important to discuss it with your doctor to determine if it is the right treatment option for you.
References
- Shrivastava SK;Kailash. “Shock Wave Treatment in Medicine.” Journal of Biosciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2005, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15933416/.
- Oceanus America. “Does Shockwave Therapy Actually Work? What You Need to Know.” Oceanus America, 18 Jan. 2022, oceanusamerica.com/does-shockwave therapy-actually-work-what-you-need-to-know/.
- Vieira, Sean. “8 Benefits of Shockwave Therapy.” SonexOrtho, 8 Dec. 2020, sonexortho.com/benefits-of-shockwave-therapy/.