shockwave therapy

Radial or Extracorperal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a form of ultrasound that uses focused sound energy waves to encourage regenerative healing in your muscles, bones and connective tissue, including ligaments and tendons.  The procedure sends a focused, percussive sound wave deep into the site of your injury, pain or chronic tightness.  The handheld device then creates thousands of tiny sonic pressure pulses that generate micro-ruptures deep within your capillaries. These ruptures hyper-stimulate or excite new cell growth at the site, causing a rapid body response to heal. As a result, the procedure encourages rapid repair, increased blood supply and oxygenation that carries away the inflamed tissue. Shockwave therapy is approved by the FDA and is gaining popularity due to high success rate with little to no risk. Unlike surgery, there is no downtime or anesthesia required.

Shockwave regenerative treatment is used for a broad range of musculoskeletal issues, especially for shoulder pain, elbow pain, hip pain, knee pain, and back pain.  Some conditions treated include:

• Heel Spurs and plantar fasciitis
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Runners knee
• Calcification of tissues
• Tennis elbow
• Tendonitis (Achilles, bicipital, )
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Chronic muscle tightness

While treatment time varies, most conditions can be treated within 3-6 visits and many see results after just one treatment. Appointments are set one week apart and full healing time can take up to 90 days. Each appointment takes roughly 30 minutes.

Shockwave therapy does not require anesthesia or pain medication. Some patients may feel bruised or sore after treatment, and that is a normal response to treatment. During treatment, patients may feel a rapid flick that may become tender. Remember, treatment time is only for a few minutes and the acoustic waves are focused into painful tissues. The level of intensity can always be lowered if too uncomfortable for the patient. 

Although Shockwave Therapy is very safe, there are some instances when Shockwave therapy can be dangerous. For this reason, our doctors perform an in-depth exam prior to treatment. Shockwave Therapy cannot be used:

• Over the lungs, eyes, heart, and brain
• Over open wounds
• Over devices (hormone or pacemaker)
• Over open growth plates
• Over tumor or cancer sites
• If the patient is taking anticoagulants or has a blood clotting disorder
• Over major nerves and blood vessels
• Over replaced joints
• If the patient has had a Corticosteriod injection into treatment site within 60 days