What Is Shockwave Therapy and How Can It Help with Pain Relief?

What is shockwave therapy ?

Don’t worry. Don’t be scared. It is not a therapy where you are given a shock. Shockwave therapy uses a device which generates acoustic waves which are transmitted to the tissues with the help of an applicator. It triggers a biological effect which helps the healing process and formation of healthy tissues. 

Shockwave therapy is commonly used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving soft tissue injuries, chronic pain, and inflammation. 

This treatment is effective when conventional methods like rest, medication, or physical therapy have not provided sufficient relief. 

Here are some of the conditions where shockwave therapy is commonly applied:

• Tendinitis: For inflammation of tendons, such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and Achilles tendonitis, shockwave therapy helps reduce pain and stimulate tissue repair.

• Plantar Fasciitis: For persistent heel pain caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, shockwave therapy can promote healing by increasing blood flow and collagen production.

• Calcific Shoulder Tendinopathy: In cases of calcified tendons in the shoulder, shockwave therapy helps break down the calcifications, reduce pain, and promote the healing of the tissue.

• Frozen Shoulder: This painful condition, marked by stiffness and limited mobility in the shoulder joint, can benefit from shockwave therapy to reduce pain and improve mobility.

• Patellar Tendinopathy: Also known as jumper's knee, shockwave therapy can stimulate healing in the tendons around the knee joint, alleviating pain and improving function.

• Muscle Strains and Ligament Injuries: Shockwave therapy can be used to treat various muscle strains, ligament injuries, and joint dysfunctions, promoting quicker recovery and reducing discomfort.

• Chronic Pain: When pain persists for months or years and is resistant to other treatments, shockwave therapy can help reduce chronic pain by stimulating the body’s natural healing response.

• Scar Tissue: It helps break down scar tissue and adhesions that can limit movement and cause pain after surgery or injury.

Shockwave therapy is often recommended for patients who are seeking a non-invasive, drug-free approach to pain relief and healing, especially for chronic conditions that have not responded well to other treatments. The therapy is also beneficial for accelerating recovery from sports injuries and for those looking to avoid surgery.

Benefits of Shockwave therapy:

• Pain reduction
• Stimulates collagen formation (collage is a protein that is the part of the structure of tissue, muscles, skin)
• New blood vessel formation
• Helps to dissolve the calcification
• Trigger point release