8 Conditions That Respond Well to Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is making waves in the sports medicine field, quickly becoming a frontline treatment for tendinopathy. 

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is not only noninvasive, but it can also deliver safe and effective results within a few sessions. If you have a soft tissue injury that’s not responding to conservative treatments, ESWT might save you from surgery. 

At Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, our team of experienced medical practitioners can help address your pain with safe, effective shockwave therapy. 

How shockwave therapy works

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is rather simple: A transmitter delivers acoustic waves into your injured tissue. The vibration stimulates a healing response, encouraging your body to send blood and growth hormones to the area. 

This not only speeds up healing, but increases your mobility and alleviates pain. The kinetic energy used during ESWT can also break up calcium deposits, reducing irritation caused by calcification. 

Conditions that respond well 

After being approved by the FDA for plantar fasciitis, many practitioners began exploring additional uses for shockwave therapy, particularly in cases involving other forms of tendinopathy. 

Tendinopathy refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the tendons, often caused by injury or overuse. Soft tissue injuries such as these can be difficult for your body to heal on its own, which is why regenerative treatments like ESWT are so important.

If you can stimulate healing and regrowth using therapy, there’s no need for surgical intervention. 

Shockwave therapy has been shown to improve the following conditions: 

1. Plantar fasciitis 
2. Achilles tendonitis, including insertional pain
3. Hip pain and bursitis 
4. Shin splint syndrome (MTSS)
5. Knee pain 
6. Tennis elbow 
7. Shoulder pain, including rotator cuff injuries 
8. Heel spurs and other calcifications 

What to expect 

ESWT is completely noninvasive and requires no painkillers or local anesthetics. During your treatment, your provider holds a device against the injured part of your body. Compressed air is used to create kinetic energy, which is delivered through the transmitter. 

As it penetrates into your soft tissue, you feel a deep, powerful vibration. Many patients find this relaxing; the sensation is similar to a massage chair, just localized to one area of your body. 

The results should be noticeable fairly quickly, but it can take a few treatments to reap the full benefits of your therapy. If you don’t notice any improvements after your first few sessions, you can stop with no harm done. 

Have you recently been diagnosed with tendinopathy, calcifications, or another similar condition? Shockwave therapy might help. To learn more and try it for yourself, schedule a consultation by calling 208-225-4358, or request an appointment online.