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*** The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes ***
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive form of treatment that involves creating a series or low energy acoustic wave pulsations, directly applied to a the skin through a gel medium. These waves use much lower energy than other medical applications, but they can have quick changes in pressure, as well as high amplitude with non-periodic signals. The purpose of this therapy is to trigger the body’s own healing response. Often people report reduction in pain and improved mobility after their first treatment. Shockwave is typically used for lingering injuries, or pain resulting from illness. Shockwaves have proven successful in a number of different scientific studies.
What kind of conditions are treated using shockwave therapy?
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Jumper’s knee (Patellar Tendonitis)
- Treatment of tendinopathy
- Hamstring muscle injuries
- Myofascial trigger points
- Bursitis
- Stiff big toe (hallux rigidus)
- Non-healing ulcers
- Tendonitis
- Scar tissue
- Calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Broken bones that have failed to heal (nonunions)
- Shoulder pain
- Tennis elbow
- Heel spurs
- Shin splints
- Stress fractures
- Enhancing bone healing
- Muscle and connective tissue injuries
How does shockwave therapy work:
Shockwave therapy accelerates the healing process in the body by stimulating the metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to regenerate damaged tissue. Strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area. These pulses occur for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles penetrates tissue and stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing. In many instances, shockwave therapy is most effective in cases where the human body has not been able to heal itself on its own.
- Stimulating blood vessel formation and collagen production. The acoustic waves create micro-ruptures in the bone and tendon capillaries which create the blood flow necessary to start the repair process. Similarly, shockwave therapy boosts collagen production, which helps strengthen the tendons.
- Reducing inflammation. Chronic inflammation has many causes, but they all result in pain. Shockwave therapy helps increase the activity of mast cells, which play a key role in resolving the inflammatory response of the body.
- Targeted pain relief. One of the ways pain travels through the body is through a neurotransmitter called Substance P that relays pain signals to the central nervous system. The waves from shockwave therapy can disperse the concentration of Substance P, which results in reduced pain.
- Breaking down calcium buildup. Calcium buildup, also called calcification, usually occurs as a result of trauma to a tendon. Shockwave therapy starts the process of biochemical decalcification to treat the tendon.
- Deactivating trigger points. Trigger points are specific spots in the musculoskeletal system that cause pain when it experiences any compression or contractions. Trigger points are a result of the buildup of waste products that irritate the nerve endings. The process of decalcification due to the acoustic shockwaves also helps the breakdown of these waste products, which releases the trigger points.