What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy (SWT), or extracorporeal shockwave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing process. It can relieve pain by dispersing the pain modulator from the treatment site. It also promotes the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissues by increasing blood flow and nutrients to these injured tissues.
How does shockwave therapy work?
SWT works by sending powerful acoustic waves to the injured tissues, therefore stimulating more blood flow and nutrients to the treatment site.
These acoustic waves cause localized microtrauma that stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. This, in turn, causes a cascade of events leading to stimulation of collagen production and dissolution of calcium build-up that may be present within the injured tissues.
SWT stimulates angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and neurogenesis (new nerve cells formation). SWT is used in several devices such as the Alma Duo and GAINSWave for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction.
Common orthopedic conditions treated by SWT include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinitis
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Achilles tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff tendinitis
- Groin pain
- Carpal tunnel
- Stress fractures (bone healing)
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Muscle strains
- Tight and inflamed tendons
Non-orthopedic uses of shockwave therapy include the treatment of cellulite and erectile disfunction (ED). Devices such as the Alma Duo and GAINSWave utilize this technology in their treatment of ED.
What are the adverse effects of shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy has very limited adverse effects that may include some bruising, redness, and soreness at the treatment site. These side effects usually resolve themselves in about 24-48hrs.
Is Shockwave therapy painful?
Overall, shockwave therapy is a tolerable procedure. Patients generally report varying amounts of discomfort during treatment. This is mainly due to the inflammation already present at the injury site.
For more information regarding shockwave therapy and treating muscle, tendon and ligament injuries, please contact us at (720) 818-0533!
