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Shockwave Therapy

When you’re recovering from an injury or trying to manage your pain from a medical condition, there are a variety of modalities that can play a role in your treatment plan. One modality used by many physical therapists is extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT.

Often just referred to as shockwave therapy, REPAIR SI uses this noninvasive treatment to move people along their recovery journey with the help of sound waves. Using a handheld device, this technology can help reduce the pain associated with many conditions and injuries to improve a patient’s overall quality of life.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

The “shockwaves” used in this type of technology refer to acoustic sound waves that are emitted to the affected area through a transducer. The goal of these waves is to kick-start the body’s natural healing to reduce pain and accelerate the recovery process.

Shockwave therapy works by:

  • Targeting specific soft tissue causing pain, including trigger points.
  • Increasing blood flow by creating micro ruptures.
  • Causing inflammation that triggers the natural healing process.
  • Creating collagen to repair damaged cells in muscles, tendons and soft tissue.
  • Forming new blood vessels for increased oxygen to the area.
  • Breaking down built-up calcium.

There are two common types of shockwave therapy: radial and focused. Your physical therapist will determine the safest and most effective option based on the cause of your pain and the severity of your symptoms.

  • Radial shockwave therapy — Also known as extracorporeal pulse activation technology, radial shockwaves use pressure waves to help with superficial damage for moderate regeneration. 
  • Focused shockwave therapy — Focused shockwaves are more regenerative than radial waves, with precision of up to 1 millimeter of tissue. They can reach deep below the skin and are often used for more acute cases than radial shockwave therapy.

What Shockwave Therapy Can Help Treat

There are more than a dozen medical conditions and injuries that can be addressed through shockwave therapy. Your physical therapist will collaborate with you to determine if it’s right for your condition and which type of shockwave will work best for you.

Shockwave therapy might be included in your personalized treatment plan if you have: 

  • Plantar fasciitis.
  • Tendinopathy.
  • Myofascial pain syndrome.
  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Sciatica.
  • Pelvic pain.
  • A stress fracture.
  • A ligament injury.

What to Expect From Shockwave Therapy With REPAIR SI

At REPAIR SI, we offer a variety of modalities, including shockwave therapy, to help reduce your pain and improve the overall function of the affected area. 

While the duration and frequency of shockwave treatments can vary from patient to patient, you’ll likely have at least three sessions scheduled one week apart. On average, a session lasts approximately 20 minutes. While some people experience immediate relief following shockwave therapy treatment, most people experience notable improvements in their pain up to two months after completing the treatment.

At REPAIR SI, we’ll make sure that you know everything that you can expect from shockwave therapy, including potential side effects, to help alleviate any uncertainty so that you can focus on recovery.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.

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