What Is Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy?
Are you struggling with a nagging sports injury or chronic pain that just won’t go away? If so, you may want to consider extra corporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing.
Learn more about what extra corporeal shockwave therapy is and what conditions it can treat here!
What Is Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy?
Extra corporeal shockwave therapy is a medical treatment that uses carefully targeted shockwaves to treat musculoskeletal conditions. These shockwaves are generated outside the body and directed into the affected area, where they work to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and promote natural tissue regeneration.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy is effective because of how it interacts with the body’s tissues. When applied to the skin, the shockwave device generates high-energy sound waves that penetrate deep into the affected area. These waves create microtrauma in the damaged tissues, which in turn triggers the body’s natural healing response.
As your body repairs the microtrauma, it increases blood flow to the area and releases growth factors that promote new, healthy tissue regeneration; this process helps break down calcifications, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain.
What Is Shockwave Therapy Used For?
ESWT is particularly useful for chronic, difficult-to-treat conditions that haven’t responded well to other conservative treatments, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Calcific tendinitis
- Chronic low back pain
- Stress fractures
- Delayed union or non-union of bone fractures (when a broken bone takes longer than normal or fails to heal)
Shockwave Therapy Benefits
- Non-Invasive: ESWT is a non-surgical treatment, which means you’ll avoid the anesthesia, incisions, and long recovery times associated with more invasive procedures.
- Faster recovery: Shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes; this can help you return to normal activities more quickly than traditional treatments.
- Reduced pain: Shockwaves break down scar tissue and reduce swelling, which means less pain and discomfort.
- Improved mobility: As injured tissues heal, you’ll often experience a better range of motion in the affected area.
Shockwave Therapy FAQs
Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?
While some patients may experience mild discomfort during the treatment, most report it’s not overly painful. Pain clinics like Grace Point Pain Management typically apply a topical gel to the skin to help reduce any discomfort, and the sensation will likely subside as soon as the treatment is over.
How Long Does Shockwave Therapy Take?
A single shockwave therapy session usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the condition being treated, patients may need 3 to 5 sessions over several weeks to achieve the desired results.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Complications from shockwave therapy are rare. However, our specialists will evaluate your injury and overall health before starting treatment. In some cases, you may experience mild bruising, swelling, or redness in the treated area — these typically go away quickly on their own.
Pain Management Clinic in Maryville, TN
Whether you have chronic pain or a sports injury, the Grace Point Pain Management team in Maryville, TN, can help. Call us today at 865-503-6865 to schedule an appointment and start your journey toward a pain-free future.