Shockwave Therapy: How It Works and What to Expect
Introduction
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain. It’s been a game-changer in physiotherapy, helping patients recover from various musculoskeletal conditions. If you’re considering shockwave therapy, it’s essential to understand the procedure, its benefits, and what to expect during and after treatment.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic waves to injured tissues using a handheld device. These waves create microtrauma in the targeted area, stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. This increased blood flow and metabolic activity helps regenerate damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing.
What Shockwave Therapy Can Treat
Shockwave therapy is a versatile treatment option for various conditions, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Shockwave therapy can effectively reduce pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis, a common condition that causes heel pain.
- Achilles Tendinitis: It can promote healing and reduce pain in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
- Tennis Elbow: Shockwave therapy can relieve pain and restore function in tennis elbow, a condition affecting the tendons on the outer part of the elbow.
- Golfer’s Elbow: It can also address golfer’s elbow, which affects the tendons on the inner side of the elbow.
- Shoulder Pain: Shockwave therapy can treat various shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff tendinitis and frozen shoulder.
- Other Conditions: Shockwave therapy can also be used to treat other musculoskeletal conditions like shin splints, patellar tendinitis, and Morton’s neuroma.
What to Expect During a Shockwave Therapy Session
- Assessment: Before starting treatment, your physiotherapist will assess your condition to determine if shockwave therapy is right for you.
- Preparation: The treatment area will be cleaned, and a gel will be applied to ensure good transmission of the shockwaves.
- Treatment: The physiotherapist will use a handheld device to deliver shockwaves to the targeted area. You may feel some discomfort during the treatment, but it is generally well-tolerated.
- Duration: A typical shockwave therapy session lasts around 15-20 minutes, depending on the condition being treated.
What to Expect After Shockwave Therapy
- Mild Discomfort: You may experience mild discomfort, bruising, or swelling in the treated area for a few days after the session.
- Activity Modification: Your physiotherapist may advise you to avoid strenuous activities or apply ice to the treated area for a few days following treatment.
- Follow-Up Sessions: You may need several shockwave therapy sessions, typically spaced a week apart, to achieve optimal results.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
- Non-invasive: Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical and drug-free treatment option, making it a safe and attractive alternative to more invasive procedures.
- Effective Pain Relief: It can effectively reduce pain and inflammation associated with various musculoskeletal conditions.
- Promotes Healing: Shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, accelerating tissue regeneration and recovery.
- Restores Function: By reducing pain and promoting healing, shockwave therapy can help restore mobility and function, allowing you to return to your normal activities.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?
Shockwave therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for many people with musculoskeletal conditions. However, it may not be suitable for everyone. It’s essential to consult with a qualified physiotherapist to determine if shockwave therapy is right for you. They will assess your condition and discuss your medical history to ensure that shockwave therapy is a safe and appropriate treatment option.
Important Considerations:
- Shockwave therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, people with bleeding disorders, or those with certain medical conditions like cancer or nerve disorders.
- It’s crucial to choose a qualified physiotherapist with experience in administering shockwave therapy to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Shockwave Therapy at Jacksonport
At Jacksonport, our experienced physiotherapists use the latest evidence-based practices and state-of-the-art equipment to provide the best possible care to our patients. We offer shockwave therapy as part of our comprehensive physiotherapy services, helping patients recover from injuries, reduce pain, and restore function.
If you’re looking for a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option for your musculoskeletal condition, shockwave therapy may be right for you. Contact Revital Health today to schedule a consultation with one of our physiotherapists and learn more about how shockwave therapy can help you achieve your health goals.
FAQs about Shockwave Therapy
Why Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative for pain relief and healing. It addresses the root cause of pain by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration. This can lead to long-term pain relief and improved function, allowing you to return to your normal activities without relying on medication or surgery.
Who is a good candidate for Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy can benefit individuals with various musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and shoulder pain. It’s particularly helpful for those who haven’t responded well to other conservative treatments like rest, ice, or physical therapy. However, it’s essential to consult with a physiotherapist to determine if shockwave therapy is suitable for your specific condition.
Where can I get Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is typically offered by qualified physiotherapists in clinical settings. When choosing a provider, it’s crucial to ensure they have experience in administering shockwave therapy and use appropriate equipment. At Revital Health, our experienced physiotherapists use state-of-the-art technology and evidence-based practices to provide safe and effective shockwave therapy treatments.
When does Shockwave Therapy work?
Shockwave therapy doesn’t provide instant relief. It works gradually by stimulating the body’s healing processes. You may start to notice improvements in pain and function within a few weeks of starting treatment. The number of sessions required varies depending on the individual and the condition being treated.
What does Shockwave Therapy do?
Shockwave therapy delivers high-energy sound waves to injured tissues. These waves create microtrauma in the targeted area, triggering the body’s natural healing response. This leads to increased blood flow, reduced inflammation, and the formation of new blood vessels, ultimately promoting tissue regeneration and repair.
How does Shockwave Therapy work?
The acoustic waves used in shockwave therapy create micro-pressure waves in the targeted tissues. These waves stimulate cellular activity, increase blood flow, and promote the release of growth factors, which are essential for tissue healing. The microtrauma caused by the shockwaves also breaks down scar tissue and calcifications, further aiding in the healing process.
Can Shockwave Therapy cause nerve damage?
Shockwave therapy is generally safe when performed by a qualified physiotherapist. However, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects. Nerve damage is a rare complication that can occur if the shockwaves are applied directly over a nerve. Experienced physiotherapists are trained to avoid such complications by carefully assessing the treatment area and adjusting the settings of the shockwave device accordingly.