Is pain wreaking havoc on your life? Chronic pain can lower your quality of life and lead to depression. If you’re one of the 32 million Americans suffering from chronic pain, you may feel alone.
Your pain may cause you to isolate from others. You may not be able to do things that used to give you joy.
Advanced pain management treatments can be invasive and expensive. You may have tried acupuncture, physiotherapy, or steroid injections. If nothing’s working and you’re still unable to work and move like you used to, don’t despair.
There is an affordable and effective treatment option – shockwave therapy. This FDA-approved treatment option can change your life. You can help your body heal in only a few sessions.
Curious to know more about shockwave therapy treatment? You’ll find out everything you want to know about shockwave therapy in this useful guide.
The Science Behind Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, or ESWT, is also called shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy treatment is an incredible option for advanced pain management. It works by directing acoustic wave pulses into your skin.
Your provider will target where you suffer from pain. Shockwave therapy can be used for the following pain complaints:
- “Frozen shoulder”
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shin, hip joint, or elbow pains
- Tendonitis in your shoulder or Achilles tendon
- Many more
Shockwave therapy can also be used for erectile dysfunction and non-pain-related complaints. These include reducing scar tissue and wound healing.
Scientific research shows that the shockwaves from treatment increase blood flow. Besides that, when you do shockwave therapy, it can help your body produce more collagen. This will help regenerate weak muscles and tissues.
If you’re suffering from chronic inflammation, shockwave therapy may help you with symptoms. The treatment is also shown to reduce calcium buildup.
Calcium buildup may make it hard for you to move certain joints. If your pain stems from tension, shockwave therapy can target the areas where your body is tensing up.
Shockwave therapy can also disrupt your pain neurotransmitters. The therapy stops your nervous system from sending out excessive pain signals.
What Is the Treatment Process Like?
Your doctor or physiotherapist will use a shockwave treatment device. They’ll send sound waves to the affected area
The treatment will occur in their office or clinic. First, they’ll assess your pain issues and needs. They’ll do a screening to make sure you are a suitable candidate for the treatment.
They will put a gel on the impacted area. Then they’ll use a device to send acoustic wave pulses into your soft tissues.
It is a non-surgical treatment and is noninvasive. This means you won’t need anesthesia. You will not feel pain like you would in surgery.
However, you may feel some discomfort during the treatment. Most patients liken it to a deep tissue massage. You can always discuss over-the-counter painkillers if you’re worried about pain.
Shockwave therapy will give you relief quickly. This is because the low-energy sound waves will desensitize your nerve endings.
After this initial pain reduction, another process will occur over time. The shockwaves create microscopic traumas to the soft tissues.
This causes your body to try to heal the areas. Your body will increase blood circulation to the pained area.
Your body will then work to heal the area quicker. Not only that but the shockwaves can help break down buildups of calcium in the area.
With shockwave therapy treatment, the recovery time is pretty quick. You shouldn’t start exercising right away after the treatment but you can walk, move and work the next day.
Your shockwave and physiotherapy provider will give you stretches and further instructions. You can drive yourself to and from your sessions.
How Many Treatments Do You Need?
Usually, three to five treatments will suffice. Each session takes around 10 to 15 minutes on average. Some patients will already be fine after one or two treatments.
Shockwave therapy results typically last a long time. You may not need further treatment for months or even up to a year at a time.
You and your provider can discuss how many treatments you may need. It will depend on how severe your chronic pain is. It will also be dependent on the area being treated.
In-Home Treatments
You’re not limited to going to your physiotherapist or doctor for ESWT treatment. You can also purchase an in-home device. Using an in-home device, you can still benefit from the power of shockwave therapy.
But you can do it in the privacy of your own home. You can save money long term by using it at home.
However, for chronic pain management, you may benefit from working with a professional. They’ll have the most up-to-date device. They will also be able to answer questions and have more experience.
You can also discuss using an in-home device in between treatments with your provider.
Safe, Affordable Advanced Pain Management
You can say goodbye to chronic pain with shockwave therapy. Add this powerful treatment to your advanced pain management plan. With just a few treatments you’ll see amazing results.
Pain may stay at bay for up to a year. With a few safe, affordable treatments, you’ll feel a drastic reduction in your pain. Enjoy your favorite activities again and live a life free of chronic pain.If you’re looking into clinical and at-home shockwave devices, feel free to get in contact with us. We look forward to answering any questions you have about treatment with our devices.