Shockwave Therapy

Are you looking for an effective, non-surgical solution for chronic musculoskeletal pain? Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), often simply called shockwave therapy, is a leading-edge shockwave treatment that can accelerate healing and provide significant pain relief.

 

Discover how this innovative therapy works, what it treats, and the benefits it offers for a variety of conditions.

 

What is Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?

 

Shockwave therapy, or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. The term "extracorporeal" means the waves are generated outside the body.

Originally developed to break up kidney stones (a procedure called lithotripsy), shockwave treatment has been successfully adapted for therapeutic and rehabilitative purposes to treat a wide range of chronic musculoskeletal complaints.

 

How Shockwave Works: The Acoustic Wave Mechanism

 

Shockwave therapy utilizes acoustic waves—high-intensity sound waves—delivered to the painful or damaged area using a handheld applicator placed on the skin. A coupling gel is used to ensure efficient transmission of the waves.

 

Here is a breakdown of how shockwave works:

 

 Mechanical Stress: The acoustic waves create brief, high-pressure pulses that generate mechanical stress on the tissue (like tendons, ligaments, and bone).

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 Biological Response (Mechanotransduction): This mechanical stress triggers a positive cascade of biological responses within the cells and tissues, a process known as mechanotransduction.

 Stimulation of Healing: This response includes:

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 Increased Blood Flow (Neovascularization): It stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, bringing vital nutrients and oxygen to the injured area to speed up repair.

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 Tissue Regeneration: It promotes the production of collagen, a crucial building block for tissue repair and strength.

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 Pain Reduction: It helps to block pain signals and has an analgesic (pain-relieving) effect on the treated area.

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 Breakdown of Calcification: For conditions like calcific tendonitis, the acoustic waves can mechanically disrupt calcium deposits.

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The overall effect is a reset to the body's natural healing process in areas where chronic pain has stalled recovery.

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Shockwave therapy has been shown to improve plantar fascia pain by 91% and with shockwave and rehabilitation 100%. 1

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What Conditions Shockwave Therapy Is Used For?

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Shockwave therapy is a proven treatment for many stubborn conditions, especially those involving tendons, ligaments, and fascia. Common musculoskeletal complaints successfully treated include:

 

Foot/Ankle - Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy (Tendinitis)

Elbow - Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis), Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Shoulder - Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Calcific Tendinopathy, Shoulder Impingement 

Hip - Gluteal Tendinopathy, Hip Arthritis, Hip Bursitis 

Knee - Quadriceps Tendonitis, Patella Tendonitis, Knee Arthritis, Jumper’s Knee

Hand/Wrist - Carpal Tunnel, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (tendonitis)

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Shockwave therapy is also an effective treatment for muscle tension and trigger points. 

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Choosing shockwave treatment offers several key advantages for individuals struggling with chronic pain:

 

 Non-Invasive: It is a drug-free, non-surgical alternative, avoiding the risks associated with operations or long-term medication use.

 Accelerated Healing: By directly stimulating blood flow and tissue regeneration, it promotes faster healing than rest or passive therapies alone.

 Quick Sessions: Treatment sessions are typically short, lasting only 5–15 minutes.

 Minimal Downtime: Patients usually experience little to no downtime and can often return to light activities soon after treatment.

 High Success Rate: Clinical studies show high success rates for conditions that have failed to respond to traditional conservative treatments like rest, ice, or physical therapy.

 

Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

 

If you have been dealing with a chronic tendon or musculoskeletal problem for months without experiencing significant relief, extracorporeal shockwave therapy might be the effective solution you are looking for. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine whether shockwave therapy is suitable for your specific condition and to discuss a personalized recovery plan.

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1. Kapusta, J., & Domżalski, M. (2022). Long term effectiveness of ESWT in plantar fasciitis in amateur runners. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(23), 6926. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11236926