Did an injury get you down and out recently? If so, the pain may keep you from enjoying daily activities or even sleeping soundly at night. You’ve probably tried everything possible — hot or cold compress, pain relievers, stretching, and ice packs, and nothing really worked. In this case, shockwave therapy may be just the treatment option for you!
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive medical procedure that helps alleviate pain and speed up the healing process while restoring mobility. This long-term therapy is an essential practice undertaken by chiropractors to treat agonizing pain or chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
Some of the most common conditions shockwave therapy treats are:
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow (common extensor or flexor tendinopathy)
- Frozen shoulder
- Achillodynia
- Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)
- Arthritis
- Plantar heel pain
- ITB friction syndrome
- Rotator cuff tendinopathies
- Chronic non-healing wounds
How Does it Work?
Shockwave therapy targets the injured area by using acoustic or specially calibrated low-energy sound waves. Radial in behavior, acoustic waves easily penetrate the body.
A chiropractor applies ultrasound gel to the body. The gel acts as an interface to conduct pulses. The medical practitioner then applies light pressure to the affected area using a handheld device connected to a machine. It results in better blood flow to the affected area.
When absorbed into the body’s tissues and cells, acoustic waves promote the regeneration of the bones, tendons, and muscles. Tissue repair and cell growth accelerate due to increased blood pressure and trigger a stimulated healing process.
Shockwave therapy works in a targeted manner by:
- Reducing spasms and inflammation
- Increasing mobility and functioning
- Intensifying blood circulation around soft tissues
- Desensitizing nerve ends and alleviating pain
- Reducing micro-tears and related traumas
- Breaking down thick and fibrous tissues
In fact, shockwave therapy notably reduces pain in most patients suffering from certain conditions.
How Long Does Each Session Take?
Our experts at Hands-On Health Care and Chiropractic in Tarpon Springs suggest weekly or monthly sessions depending on your overall physical condition, medical history, and the affected body part. Doctors evaluate the pain as the treatment progresses and may ask you to come in until you’re feeling 100% fit.
Does Shockwave Therapy Hurt?
You may feel mild discomfort, depending on your threshold for pain. However, since this therapy lasts only 5 minutes, most patients can tolerate the pain. What’s more? You can get back to normal activities almost immediately after each session. It is still vital to note that doctors advise against strenuous activities for 24-48 hours after treatment.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, shockwave therapy might be the answer you’re looking for. It is the ideal treatment to relieve pain, speed up recovery, and restore mobility. For more information, give Hands-On Health Care and Chiropractic at Tarpon Springs a call at +1 727-937-6740. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with our team of experts here.
