Shockwave therapy is increasing in popularity among doctors and patients as a treatment for chronic pain and limited mobility. Here, we’ll review key points about shockwave therapy to learn how it may help you heal from pain or injury.
Shockwave therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment method for pain and limited mobility. It’s a multifaceted therapy method used in orthopedics, sports medicine, physical therapy, and urology.
Shockwaves are sound wave pulsations. In shockwave therapy, a device is used to transfer energy to the treatment area. The shockwaves are absorbed by the body in the targeted treatment area to promote healing.
Shockwave therapy works by delivering energy in high levels to bodily tissues. Once transmitted to the area in need of treatment, the energy stimulates the body’s natural healing process. Specifically, shockwave energy can initiate the body’s natural repair and regeneration processes to heal damaged soft tissue, including bones and tendons, without the need for surgery.
In shockwave therapy, energy is delivered to the body with an applicator. Through the use of compressed air, a projectile within the applicator produces kinetic energy. That energy moves to the transmitter at the tip of the applicator, which then delivers the energy to the injured tissue.
The high energy spike delivered by shockwaves speeds up tissue repair, spurs new cell growth, and promotes blood flow. Shockwave energy also increases mast cell activity, one of the most important factors in the body’s inflammatory response. With greater mast cell activity from shockwave therapy, the body will have a more effective inflammatory process for healing and regeneration.
Shockwave therapy speeds up collagen production in the body. New collagen fibers will add density to tendons for greater strength and injury prevention.
Since shockwave therapy makes use of a small applicator to transmit acoustic waves to the body, it can be used to target a wide range of injuries and conditions. Common applications for shockwave therapy include:
- Jumper’s knee
- Shoulder pain
- Hip pain
- Tennis elbow
- Heel spurs
- Tendinopathy
- Medial tibial stress syndrome
- Calcifications
As a non-invasive and highly effective treatment method for numerous applications, shockwave therapy could help you heal from chronic pain or injury. Contact Rubin Chiropractic Health Center in St. Petersburg today to learn more about shockwave therapy.