The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Due to advancement in technology, new medical interventions have been explored and proven to be effective in managing several illnesses and conditions. Intervention methods for pain relief, for example, have constantly been explored, tested, and subsequently entered the market to treat patients with intermittent pain. One of the known clinical methods for pain relief is shockwave therapy.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy involves using acoustic sound waves that carry high energy to painful spots in the body tissues. The wave’s energy regenerates the bones, tendons, and other soft tissues in the body. Shockwave therapy addresses several physical pain conditions and provides patients with greater strength.
Health care professionals often combine shockwave therapy with training, manual therapy, or other physiotherapy techniques. This therapy is often used because it offers a wide range of benefits. Here are some of them:
Effective for various medical conditions
In general, shockwave therapy is an effective method to reduce pain and inflammation. It can relieve pain in many parts of the human body.
It can treat several chronic conditions such as shoulder pain, hip pain, tennis elbow, heel spurs, tendinopathy, and other conditions requiring physiotherapy. It also reduces calcification and fibrosis. It is also proven to be effective when used with other treatments like laser therapy.
Moreover, shockwave therapy is a relatively new treatment method for musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain. In this therapy, the sound waves used affect the blood flow, collagen production, and healing. The body regenerates the affected tissues resulting in improved blood flow and neovascularization, increased growth factor, more mesenchymal stem cells, and stimulation of the metabolism.
Safe, fast, and effective
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that penetrates the body’s skin even without surgery. Improved functionality and quality of life of patients, especially those affected by tendon issues, have been reported after the therapy.
It is also a quick and simple procedure that manifests immediate positive results with no risk of irritation, swelling, or bruising that typically follows in other treatments or therapies. It also usually takes less than 10 minutes to undergo this treatment, compared to other medical treatments that would take hours.
Long-lasting effect
Shockwave treatment has proven to provide long-lasting pain relief to patients. For instance, patients who suffered from chronic tendinopathy in the shoulder, elbow, and plantar fascia reported no pain six months after their treatment.
Medically affordable
As shockwave therapy does not require expensive anesthetics, it comes with a reasonable medical pricing. Treatment programs usually cost $200-$1000, and most practitioners charge $50-$100 per session.
With all the benefits it offers, it is not surprising that shockwave therapy is a top-of-mind therapy option for various medical conditions. It is effective in relieving pain and improving the patient’s functionality and quality of life.
