Sports injuries. Repetitive strain injuries. Even erectile dysfunction.
Treating these problems can be an expensive, annoying hassle. What if there was a treatment option that didn’t involve medication?
Shockwave therapy treats a variety of injuries with even better long-term results than steroids. If you haven’t considered shockwave therapy for your injury before, now is the time.
Better yet, you can now get shockwave treatment at home. With your own shockwave therapy device, you can get the results of shockwave treatment at your own pace, safely administered from home.
If you’re interested in finding the right shockwave therapy product to own, keep reading. We’ll explain the features that you should look for to buy the at-home shockwave therapy device that’s perfect for you.
Best Shockwave Therapy Devices for Erectile Dysfunction
A 2021 study confirmed what many clinicians already knew. Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Taking medication treats the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. However, shockwave therapy heals the problem at the source. The sound waves encourage new blood cells to grow and even regenerate nerves. This results in restored penile functioning for many people suffering from erectile dysfunction.
However, the study discovered that the success of shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction varied depending on the device and type of treatment used.
Not every treatment device gives optimal results for erectile dysfunction. For best results, shockwave therapy needs to be concentrated. It should also be able to deliver increasing shockwave energy levels to keep your treatment progressing.
If you’re looking for a shockwave device for at-home treatment of ED, choose one that offers:
- An adjustable power level, so that you can increase the treatment intensity as needed
- A high maximum power level
- Comfort features, such as a self-warming device head
Although high power may yield the best results, always begin your at-home shockwave therapy on a low setting. This allows you to monitor for side effects before you progress to high-power treatment.
Peyronie’s Disease
Shockwave therapy is well-known for ED, tendonitis, and sports injuries. Fewer people know that it’s also an effective treatment for Peyronie’s disease.
Peyronie’s disease — a condition that causes a severe bend or stricture of the penis — results from scar tissue and fibrosis. It’s less common than ED, though some research places its prevalence as high as 6% of men.
As with ED, many men prefer to have shockwave treatment for Peyronie’s disease in the privacy of their homes. At-home shockwave therapy is ideal for treating this type of fibrosis.
Peyronie’s disease often causes severe discomfort. If you intend to use your shockwave device to treat Peyronie’s disease, make sure your model has plenty of comfort features, including:
- Adjustable applicator head thickness (start with the thickest head to diffuse the shockwaves)
- Warmable applicator head
- Customizable intensity output
These features give you the gentlest treatment. All shockwave therapy is associated with some discomfort as blood vessels begin to regenerate.
However, there’s no need to make the treatment less comfortable, especially if you’re already suffering from a painful disorder in a sensitive area.
Shockwave Therapy Devices for Connective Tissue Injuries
Tennis elbow is just one of the many repetitive strain connective tissue injuries. Athletes and non-athletes alike suffer from debilitatingly painful repetitive strain injuries, including common problems such as:
- Chronic plantar fasciitis
- Patellar (knee) tendon strain
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis of the shoulder
Before shockwave therapy, the only option to treat these painful injuries was to lessen the symptoms with treatments like:
- Applying ice to the affected area
- Replying on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication, like aspirin and ibuprofen
- As a last resort, steroid injections to decrease pain and swelling
These treatments work intermittently at best. Long-term use of NSAID and steroid medications cause negative side effects that can potentially damage your health.
A 2017 study added to the increasing amount of research on shockwave therapy. It showed that shockwave therapy is effective for treating connective tissue injuries. Instead of just treating the inflammation and pain, shockwave therapy regenerates the damaged area and heals the injury.
Shockwave Therapy for Small Joints
Shockwave therapy can treat small joint problems including:
- Heel spurs
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
Smaller joints require a medium power level. For the most effective help with small joint problems, choose a shockwave therapy device with a power level range of 60-90 mJ.
Since the tissue is so thin over the elbow and heel joints, the shockwaves will directly penetrate those areas. If the sound waves penetrate too quickly, it may cause unnecessary discomfort.
You can mitigate this by purchasing a shockwave device that comes with different applicator heads. Start with the thickest head to soften the impact of the sound waves. Then, transition to a thinner applicator head once you’re used to the treatment.
Shockwave Therapy for Large Joints
Large joints (including knees and shoulders) have more tissue between the skin and the joint. Your shockwave therapy device needs to emit higher power levels to reach the damaged tissue inside the joint.
If you’re buying an at-home shockwave therapy device for use on your major joints, choose one with a power level of at least 100 mJ. Even at a high power level, treating a large joint may require longer treatment sessions and more treatment intervals. Always follow your machine’s directions to get the safest, best results.
Shockwave Therapy for Muscular Disorders
Muscular disorders and myofascial problems are excellent candidates for shockwave therapy. Like small joints, muscles usually require a medium power setting on your shockwave device.
If you need to reach deeper tissues your shockwave product may instruct you to turn the power level up. You’ll also need higher power if the sound waves have to penetrate through fat tissue. For the best results, choose a machine that offers variable power settings.
Many myofascial injuries occur in your neck and back, which are hard to reach when you’re applying shockwave therapy to yourself. If you want to treat injuries in hard-to-reach areas, be sure to purchase a shockwave model that comes with a reach extender. This will prevent you from straining to reach your injuries.
Some at-home shockwave therapy products come with different head shapes as well. Different applicators can help you target individual muscles more effectively. They can also target deeper tissues.
Affordable At-Home Shockwave Therapy
When selecting a machine for shockwave treatment at home, the price will be a determining factor. That’s because many clinical machines are expensive, costing thousands of dollars or more.
Since you won’t be treating hundreds of patients (with a variety of disorders) your home shockwave machine can be much simpler. That means it can be more affordable as well.
You can find an affordable shockwave therapy device that provides clinical-quality treatment. Shockwave therapy for at-home use should be affordable without compromising quality. Don’t make the mistake of overspending by thousands of dollars.
Get Everything You Need
At-home shockwave therapy requires more than just a shockwave device. To do shockwave treatment at home, you’ll also need:
- A protective case
- Ultrasound gel to conduct the sound waves
- Comprehensive instruction manual
- Various applicator heads
You can order some components separately. However, it’s easiest to buy a shockwave therapy product that comes in a complete package with everything you need.
If the shockwave device you are looking at doesn’t come with included accessories it may be meant for clinical use. A good home shockwave therapy product includes everything you need to get started right away. Before you buy your machine, double-check that everything is included.
Safe Shockwave Products
Shockwave therapy is a gentle form of treatment that carries a low risk. However, when used improperly, it can cause tissue damage and other negative outcomes.
Choose an at-home shockwave therapy machine that minimizes your risk of tissue injury. You can perform home shockwave therapy safely by:
- Choosing a machine that starts with a low power setting
- Starting your treatment with low power, then working up
- Following approved therapy protocols
As with any medical treatment, put your safety first. Choose a gentle shockwave therapy device to start your treatment.
Always obey your machine’s safety instructions. Contact your doctor or machine’s supplier whenever you have questions about proper use.
Enjoy Your Shockwave Therapy at Home
Shockwave therapy offers a slew of benefits. If you’re suffering from the health issues mentioned above, a shockwave therapy device can help you get back to normal. With at-home shockwave therapy, you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. Are you ready to find the right shockwave device for your personal use? Contact us today to discover the home shockwave therapy device that fits your needs!