Chronic pain, no matter the source, is something difficult to contend with. There are a lot of methods out there, but it’s often hard to find one that works for us. That’s why we’d like to explore some of those options here today.
As you can probably guess based on the title, we’ll be focusing on shockwave therapy treatments. For pain, this can be a surprisingly effective method. Still, it’s not something that is often discussed.
If you want to learn more about it, make sure to stay tuned. We’ll be exploring everything you need to know about this therapy method. Of course, we’ll also be covering five benefits you can get from it!
First, though, let’s define it. If you’d like a basic rundown of it first, check out this page: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/21/1538.short. With that said, let’s delve in.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Naturally, the first thing we need to do is explore what this process is. Some folks refer to it as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). “Shockwave therapy” is just an easier way to say that.
What is it, then? Well, simply put, it’s a non-invasive medical procedure. Essentially, acoustic waves are used to try to promote healing. The goal is also to relieve pain.
When is it used? There are many situations, as you can probably guess. Tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, calcific shoulder, tennis elbow, and other chronic pain syndromes are the main ones.
How Does it Work?
The next question you’re probably wondering about is this: How does this even work? There are a few steps that we’d like to cover.
Acoustic Waves
Shockwave therapy involves the generation of high-energy acoustic waves. They are delivered to the affected part of the body using specialized equipment. The waves travel through the skin and tissues to the targeted area.
Biological Effects
The energy from the shockwaves stimulates blood flow. It also activates the body’s natural healing process. That means it can promote tissue regeneration and help reduce inflammation.
Overall, this can help reduce pain. It can also improve mobility in some cases. That’s one of many reasons more patients have started to consider shockwave therapy for their pain reduction plans.
Treatment Process
More than likely, the specifics will depend on a patient’s circumstances. Your doctor or specialist will probably come up with a specific plan for you. With that said, there are some basics we can explain.
Typically, a series of sessions is needed for best results. That will tend to be between three and six. Most of them will last about fifteen to thirty minutes. Again, that will depend on what is being treated.
The Five Key Benefits
Now that we’ve covered what this process is and how it works, we can look at some of the benefits. We’ll be focusing on five. Just know that there may be some beyond this list. It’s not totally comprehensive!
One: Non-Invasive Treatment
For a lot of us out there, it’s not a stretch to say that invasive treatments are not something we prefer. They can be time-consuming and uncomfortable, to say the least. That’s why when there are non-invasive options, they can be so appealing.
As we mentioned above, shockwave therapy is non-invasive. It’s also non-surgical. It does not require incisions, anesthesia, or prolonged recovery times. All of that is a huge point in its favor, really.
Essentially, it’s an alternative for patients who want to relieve their pain but are concerned about surgery. After all, complications sometimes arise in those procedures. It can be intimidating and frightening, even.
Two: Pain Reduction
To some extent, this is kind of an obvious one. We’d be remiss not to mention it, though. You can read more about it in this article.
Many patients experience a significant reduction in pain after receiving shockwave therapy. Why is that? Well, the treatment process helps increase the release of endorphins.
In turn, that reduces inflammation. In the end, that leads to improved pain management. It’s fairly simple, really.
Going through multiple sessions as recommended with your doctor is the ideal way to get the results you want. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about it along the way.
Three: Enhanced Healing
This point goes hand in hand with the last one. Still, it’s worth listing separately. Allow us to explain.
Shockwave therapy stimulates blood flow to the affected area. This ends up promoting tissue regeneration.
Overall, this can speed up the healing process for injured tendons, ligaments, and other musculoskeletal tissues. That’s part of why this is such a popular option for those types of injuries.
Four: Improved Mobility and Function
For a lot of us out there, ending up with improved mobility and function is a really big deal. How does this work, though? Well, a lot of it stems from what we’ve already mentioned: pain reduction and enhanced healing.
You see, these treatments can lead to improved range of motion and overall functionality in the affected areas. Patients can return to their normal lives and activities quicker than usual. That includes sports, if you get a sports-related injury!
It’s almost impossible to understate the importance of improved mobility and function for most patients. This is a huge part of why shockwave therapy is beneficial for so many out there.
Five: Minimal Side Effects
If there’s one other thing that we worry about with medical procedures, it’s of course this: what about the side effects? That’s why we’ve saved the best for last! With shockwave therapy, there aren’t many side effects.
The ones that do exist are fairly minimal. Patients may experience mild discomfort during treatment and some soreness afterward. That’s almost nothing compared to some of the impacts of surgery, for instance.
Serious complications are rare. As we said above, most patients are able to return to their normal activities pretty quickly.
These benefits make shockwave therapy a valuable option for many people. It’s an effective, non-invasive solution. If you’re looking to manage pain and improve healing for a musculoskeletal issue, this might be something to explore.
लेखक
