Shockwave therapy is a safe modality that uses a series of low-energy sound wave pulsations to treat several body conditions. The concept and technology of shockwave therapy originally evolved from the principle that focused sound waves were highly effective at breaking down gallbladder and kidney stones. Later, it has proven successful in several scientific studies for the treatment of many chronic conditions.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment approach that is becoming more common in orthopedics, sports medicine, physiotherapy, urology, and veterinary medicine. It is a technique that uses acoustic waves – and not electrical shocks – to help treat chronic conditions by stimulating the body's own healing process.
Using much lower energy than in medical applications, shock wave therapy is being used to treat many musculoskeletal conditions, mainly those involving connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments.
What Conditions Does Shock Wave Therapy Can Treat?
It has shown to treat the following conditions effectively:
- Feet - heel Achilles tendonitis, spurs, plantar fasciitis
- Elbow – golfers and tennis elbow
- Shoulder - tendinosis of rotator cuff muscles
- Hip – bursitis
- Knee - patellar tendonitis
- Upper leg - Iliotibial band friction syndrome
- Lower leg - shin splints
- Back pain - chronic muscular pain and pain in the cervical and lumbar spine regions
What are The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?
Some of the health benefits of shockwave therapy include:
- Has an excellent cost/effectiveness ratio
- A non-invasive solution for chronic musculoskeletal pain in your back, shoulder, heel, elbow or knee
- Can effectively treat the conditions without any medical or surgical intervention
- No anesthesia or pain killer drugs required
- Limited side effects
- Has multiple fields of application such as orthopedics, sports medicine, rehabilitation, urology, and veterinary medicine
Are There Any Side Effects?
Shockwave therapy should be avoided if there is a nerve or circulation disorder, infection, a metabolic bone condition, or a bone tumor. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and should also not be used if there are any open wounds. People using blood-thinning medications such as aspirin or who have severe cardiovascular disorders may also not be fit for this therapy.