Shockwave therapy is a treatment that uses sound waves to help heal the body. These sound waves are known as shockwaves. For numerous years, shockwave therapy has been utilized to address a range of ailments and athletic injuries, such as persistent discomfort, plantar fasciitis, and tennis elbow. Let’s delve into this blog post, where we will discuss the definition of shockwave therapy, its mechanism of action, and its advantages.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Employing high-energy sound waves to enhance blood circulation and mitigate pain in damaged tissues, shockwave therapy is a minimally invasive treatment. The therapy delivers mechanical high-energy shock waves to the body’s tissues, promoting increased blood flow and metabolism and accelerating the body’s natural healing process.
Types Of Shockwave Therapy
There are two types of shockwave therapy: focused and radial shockwave therapy.
- Radial shockwave therapy uses a low to medium energy level and is often used for treating soft tissue injuries.
- On the other hand, focused shockwave therapy uses a high-energy level to treat more profound injuries, such as bone fractures.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy works by delivering high-energy sound waves to the affected area. These waves penetrate deep into the soft tissues, promoting increased blood flow and metabolism. This, in turn, promote the healing process, leading to faster recovery times and reduced pain.
A shockwave therapy machine delivers these waves to the affected area during treatment. The therapist will apply a gel to the skin before using a handheld device to give the waves. The length of the treatment and the number of sessions needed will vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
There are several benefits to using shockwave therapy as a treatment option. These benefits include:
- Pain Relief: Shockwave therapy is effective in reducing pain in a variety of conditions, including plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendonitis.
- Improved Healing: Shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing process, leading to faster recovery times for injuries and conditions.
- Increased Mobility and Range of Motion: Shockwave therapy can also increase mobility and range of motion in affected areas by reducing pain and improving healing.
- Non-invasive Treatment: Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option, meaning that there is no need for incisions or anesthesia.
- Potential Cost Savings: Shockwave therapy can be a cost-effective solution for treating certain conditions compared to other treatment options.
Side Effects and Risks of Shockwave Therapy
Like any medical treatment, there are some potential side effects and risks associated with shockwave therapy. These can include:
- Transient pain after treatment: Some patients may experience mild discomfort following treatment, which typically subsides within a few days.
- Dysesthesia: A tingling or burning sensation that may occur during or after treatment.
- Swelling: In rare cases, swelling may occur in the treated area.
- Ecchymosis and petechiae: After treatment, small red or purple spots may appear on the skin.
- Severe headache: An infrequent side effect that may occur during or after treatment.
- Bruising: Some patients may experience mild bruising in the treated area.
- A Throbbing sensation: Patients may experience a throbbing sensation in the treated area for a few days after treatment.
Which ailments can be addressed through shockwave therapy?
A vast array of ailments can be treated with shockwave therapy, including:
- Musculoskeletal Conditions: Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff tendinitis can all be treated with shockwave therapy.
- Dermatological Conditions: Shockwave therapy effectively treats conditions such as cellulite and scars.
- Urological Conditions: Shockwave therapy can treat urological conditions such as Peyronie’s disease, which causes curvature of the penis.
- Erectile Dysfunction: Shockwave therapy can also treat erectile dysfunction by promoting increased blood flow to the penis.
- Other Conditions: Shockwave therapy has been studied as a potential treatment for migraines, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and stress fractures.
These are just some conditions that can be treated with shockwave therapy. Speaking to your doctor before beginning any treatment is essential to ensure it is right for you.
What to Expect During a Shockwave Therapy Treatment?
You may wonder what to expect during a treatment session now that you know shockwave therapy’s potential benefits and risks. During a standard shockwave therapy session, this is what you can anticipate:
Before Treatment
Before starting treatment, the therapist will thoroughly evaluate the patient’s condition to determine if shockwave therapy is an appropriate treatment option. Patients may be advised to avoid taking blood-thinning medications before treatment.
During Treatment
During treatment, the therapist will apply a gel to the skin before using a handheld device to deliver the waves. The length of the treatment and the intensity of the waves will depend on the condition being treated.
After Treatment
Most people can resume their normal activities immediately after treatment, but it is essential to follow any instructions provided by the therapist. In some cases, a course of multiple treatments may be necessary for optimal results.
Is Shockwave Therapy Worth It?
Shockwave therapy has been gaining popularity as a non-invasive treatment option for various musculoskeletal conditions. Nevertheless, the inquiry persists: is it worthwhile?
Cost-effectiveness
One of the major concerns for most patients considering shockwave therapy is the cost-effectiveness of the treatment.
While the upfront cost of shockwave therapy may seem high compared to other treatments, such as physical therapy or medication, it may be cost-effective in the long run.
This is because shockwave therapy can provide long-term relief and reduce the need for repeated treatments and medications.
Success Rates
Shockwave therapy treats musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and shoulder impingement syndrome.
As per a meta-analysis released in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, shockwave therapy exhibited an overall efficacy rate of 73% for healing plantar fasciitis.
Success rates of shock waves alone may vary depending on the condition being treated, the severity of the situation, and the patient’s overall health.
Personal Experiences
Many patients have reported positive experiences with shock wave therapy. Some patients have reported immediate pain relief after the first session, while others have reported gradual improvement over several sessions. However, like any medical treatment, individual results may vary.
Comparison with Other Treatments
Compared to other treatments, shockwave therapy is a non-invasive and drug-free option that can provide long-term relief.
For example, compared to corticosteroid injections, shockwave therapy has been shown to have similar short-term effects but with fewer side effects and a lower risk of complications.
Why Choose Oceanus?
At Oceanus, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest-quality shockwave therapy treatments.
Reasons to Choose Us
Outlined below are a few rationales as to why opting for our services would be beneficial:
- Experienced and Qualified Practitioners: Our practitioners are highly trained and experienced in administering shockwave therapy treatments.
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: We use the latest and most advanced shockwave therapy equipment to ensure the best possible results for our patients.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: We develop customized treatment plans based on each patient’s needs and goals.
- Comfortable and Relaxing Environment: We strive to create a comfortable and relaxing environment for our patients to ensure a positive treatment experience.
- Affordable Pricing: We offer competitive pricing for our shockwave therapy treatments to make them accessible to as many patients as possible.
If you’re looking for an effective non-invasive treatment option, shockwave therapy is the right choice. Contact Oceanus today to discover how we can assist you in accomplishing your health and wellness objectives. We eagerly anticipate hearing from you soon!