What Is Shockwave Therapy?
While the name may sound a little unappealing, shockwave therapy may be the treatment you’ve been searching for. Whether you’ve injured your shoulder, have a condition like flat feet or plantar fasciitis, or have pulled a hamstring, you’re likely searching for ways to relieve the pain. Shockwave therapy aims to do just this, and it may be beneficial for you.
This article explores what shockwave therapy is, what it may be used for, and its potential benefits. For personalised advice, contact our team at Whole Body Clinic today.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy, is a form of treatment aimed at addressing musculoskeletal conditions and soft tissue injuries. It may be used on many areas of the body, such as the feet, legs, hips, shoulders, and back.
Shockwave therapy is intended to reduce chronic pain, inflammation, and soft tissue damage by jump-starting (or ‘shocking’) the body’s ability to regenerate tissue. Although it may sound painful, shockwave therapy is well-tolerated by most people and typically just feels slightly uncomfortable. For people with a lot of inflammation, there may be some moderate pain, but this tends to subside during the session and with subsequent sessions. Meanwhile, some people find it ticklish, some feel a tingling sensation, and others hardly feel it at all!
What Does Shockwave Therapy Look Like?
An allied health professional such as an osteopath will deliver shockwave therapy through a small, handheld device that may look similar to a massage gun or an ultrasound wand. It aims to stimulate the nerve endings through the skin without puncturing it in any way, making it a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment method.
During your session, your therapist will talk with you about your condition to determine if shockwave therapy may be an option for you. If so, they will have you sit or lie in a comfortable position where they can access the area, and then they will apply a gel to the area. This gel aims to assist the shockwaves in penetrating the tissue and may also help the process a smoother experience. They will then place the device on your skin, where it sends shockwaves to the injured area in an effort to stimulate blood flow and promote new tissue growth.
The treatment generally takes around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the area. Most people receive five to 10 treatments over several weeks.
Who is Shockwave Therapy For?
People of all ages around the world use shockwave therapy as a way to address a wide range of concerns. It’s often used to address sports injuries and conditions that cause pain in soft tissues, such as:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendonitis
- Morton’s neuroma
- Retrocalcaneal bursitistis
- Calcific tendonitis
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Chronic stress or non-union fractures
- Heel spurs
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Muscle strains
- Calcified haematomas
- Shin splints
- Recalcitrant trigger points
- Osgood Schlatter Disease
While shockwave therapy may be beneficial for many people, it’s not recommended in certain cases, such as if a person has any type of bleeding disorder or if an injury requires a different approach such as surgery. Your therapist will discuss your medical history with you before recommending or commencing shockwave therapy.
The Potential Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
One of the benefits of shockwave therapy is that it is minimally invasive and drug-free. This means no incisions are required, there is little to no recovery time needed, and it doesn’t rely on medications. Most people are able to resume their day immediately following shockwave therapy, making it a favoured treatment option for those with busy lives.
While the other potential benefits will vary from person to person, they may include:
- Pain relief
- Improved blood circulation
- Accelerated healing
- Breakdown of calcium deposits
- Breaking up of scar tissue
- Reduced need for surgery
- Long-lasting results
It’s important to note that the potential benefits such as reduced pain in the area may not be noticeable immediately, but they may begin to appear after several sessions.
Shockwave Therapy at Whole Body Clinic
Whether you’re hoping to accelerate your recovery after an injury or looking for a non-invasive treatment method for a musculoskeletal condition, shockwave therapy may be an option for you. At Whole Body Clinic, we offer shockwave therapy at our Mount Gravatt and Browns Plains clinics, and welcome new and existing patients with our hands-on, experienced, and welcoming approach. To try shockwave therapy, book your appointment today!