WHAT IS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive advanced treatment that delivers acoustic soundwaves to break up soft tissue calcifications, enhance collagen synthesis, release growth factors, and stimulate your body’s healing process to improve pain and promote healing of injured tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. 

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Most commonly, shockwave therapy is used to help treat the following conditions:

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Patellar tendinopathy

• Sprain/Strains

• Plantar fasciitis

• Tennis elbow

• Golfers elbow

• Hip Impingement

• Hamstring Injuries

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

• Iliotibial band Syndrome, or ITBS

• Medial & Lateral tibial stress syndrome/Shin Splints

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"Like a high powered ultrasound".  

• Therapeutic ultrasound utilizes a higher frequency sound wave, while ESWT uses low frequency waves.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

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When come to the clinic for shockwave treatment, your therapist will use a device connected to a machine that turns compressed air into sound waves.  They will apply light to moderate pressure depending on the treatment area. Ultrasound gel is applied to the skin beforehand to help transmit the shockwaves through the skin and allow the device to be handled more efficiently.

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Shockwave therapy is non-invasive and non-surgical.  However, you might feel a little pain, pressure, or discomfort; depending on the density of tissue being treated, or if the area is inflamed or in pain.  Most patients say it feels like small pulses against the skin. Your therapist will be able to adjust the device to decrease the intensity if it is painful.

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Each session will last anywhere from a few minutes to 10-15minutes depending on location, so the vast majority of patients are able to tolerate the levels of discomfort.

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