How does it work?
Shockwave therapy eliminates pain right at the point of origin. The point of injury is subjected to high-energy acoustic pulses (shock waves). Since these shock waves are sound waves, there are no electric shocks involved in this treatment. The body reacts with a strong healing response with raised local metabolism, increase capillary growth, tissue regeneration and the breakdown of calcified tissue will start to be broken up and re-absorbed by the body.

What ailments does Shockwave Therapy treat?

  • Elbow pain: tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, tendonitis,

    repetitive strain

  • Shoulder pain: frozen shoulder, tendonitis such as

    supraspinatus or biceps

  • Knee pain: osteoarthritis, torn meniscus, patellar

    tendinopathy, shin splints

  • Ankle & foot pain: Plantar fasciitis/ heel spurs, Morton’s

    neuroma, chronic instability of the ankle/foot, Achilles

    tendinopathy/tendinitis, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Hip pain: trochanteric bursitis

  • Myofascial pain: trigger points (back and neck pain)

  • Chronic ligament tears/sprains

  • Tendonitis of the hand/thumb

  • Inhibiting pain signals

  • Decreasing inflammation

  • Promoting new blood flow

  • Accelerating healing

  • Providing long-lasting results, usually permanent

 
 
 

What should I expect?
You will experience a sensation of mild discomfort while the pulses help to break down scar tissue. The process is very tolerable, and patients adjust to it as time progresses. Local redness will be produced and in some rare cases bruising. These will go away. There may be some increased soreness in the next 24 hours after the treatment, but this is a healing reaction and should subside by the following day. The entire healing process can take up to 10 to 12 weeks, but the result is rejuvenated tissues that are not easily injured as before.

How many treatments?
Not that many. Most conditions improve or resolve in 4-6 treatments usually done on a weekly basis and take about 10 minutes. Treatments are even more effective when combined with chiropractic adjustments and other active therapies.

 

Shockwave Therapy: An Affordable Alternative to Surgery, Injections, or Medication

Injections vs Shockwave

Injections can provide relief for conditions like osteoarthritis, tendonitis, sports injuries and painful or inflamed joints.

Common types of injections include:

  • Cortisone Or Corticosteroid Injections

  • Gel / Hyaluronic Acid / Viscosupplementation

  • Injections

  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

  • Stem Cell Injections

The cost of these injections over a lifetime can range from $15,000 to $100,000. A complete Shockwave treatment plan typically costs between $900 and $2,400 and is designed to promote healing of damaged tissue, whereas injections are primarily intended to alleviate symptoms.

 

Surgery vs Shockwave

Shockwave can be an excellent non-invasive alternative to surgery for conditions and injuries like osteoarthritis, stress and nonunion fractures, rotator cuff injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, and other orthopedic conditions.

The cost of surgery can vary widely, ranging from $3,000 to $50,000 or more. Surgery is typically the most expensive treatment option. In comparison, a session Shockwave treatment plan costs $1,650 on average.

 

Medication vs Shockwave

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief for conditions like:

  • Chronic Pain

  • Muscle Aches And Stiffness

  • Neuropathic Pain

  • Arthritis

  • Traumatic Injuries Like Broken Bones And Burns

A full Softwave treatment plan will cost $900 to $2,400, compared to a lifetime of prescription or over-the-counter medications which can cost up to $70,000!

Shockwave is not only a more affordable long-term solution, it also promotes real healing at the cellular level, whereas medication typically alleviates symptoms without addressing the underlying cause.

 
 
 
 

For more click here:  Shockwave Therapy

 

References
1. Cristina d’Agostino M et al. Shock wave as biological therapeutic tool: From mechanical stimulation to recovery and healing, through mechanotransduction. Int J Surg. 2015 Dec;24(Pt B):147-53.
2. Damian M et al. Trigger point treatment with radial shock waves in musicians with nonspecific shoulder-neck pain: data from a special physio outpatient clinic for musicians. Med Probl Perform Art. 2011 Dec;26(4):211-7.
3. Beyazal MS et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of local corticosteroid injection and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Dec;27(12):3755-8.
4. Cacchio A et al. Effectiveness of Radial Shock-Wave Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder: Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Study. Phys Ther. 2006 May;86(5):672-82.
5. Rompe JD et al. Eccentric Loading Versus Eccentric Loading Plus Shock-Wave Treatment for Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2009 Mar;37(3):463-70.
6. Furia JP et al. A single application of low-energy radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is effective for the management of chronic patellar tendinopathy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013 Feb;21(2):346-50.
7. Gerdesmeyer L et al. Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Is Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Chronic Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis. Results of a Confirmatory Randomized Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study. Am J Sports Med. 2008 Nov;36(11):2100-9.