Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a popular treatment method used to combat common concerns including heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendonitis, lateral epicondylitis, and more. It is considered a break through treatment that can make common problems like heel pain virtually obsolete. Many people with chronic pain problems are turning to ESWT to find relief from their pain.
ESWT is an FDA approved form of treatment. It is a non-surgical approach to pain relief that is used regularly to cure common problems like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. The therapy works by targeting shock waves directly to the area that is experiencing pain. This non-invasive procedure typically lasts less than 30 minutes.
One of the main benefits of ESWT is the low risk attached to the procedure. The therapy is treated extracorporealy. Patients receive the therapy outside of their body instead of receiving an invasive surgery. This promotes a faster recovery time, and it also minimizes the side effects from the treatment itself.
Recovery from ESWT is a gradual process, however the pain will not get worse. In the process of ESWT, damaged tissue cells begin to rebuild. Therefore, healing of the injured area will occur over a few days, weeks or months as these new cells develop. In some rare cases individuals will experience soreness or bruising after the treatment.
The shockwave treatments are performed using a state-of-the art, low-energy system called the PiezoWave. It generates electrohydraulic shockwaves, within a fluid-filled assembly, directing them to a soft plastic head.The right sound wave mode is available for every indication.This acoustic sound wave is the only one of its kind in the world, that allows users to choose between a classic focused sound wave, a linear focused sound wave, and a planar pressure wave.
The assembly is positioned with the head, in contact with the skin, aimed precisely at the targeted area. Controls are set to focus the shockwave so that they travel through the skin and tissue without damaging it – releasing their maximum energy deep inside the tissue, right at the painful spot that needs treatment.
The energy of the shockwaves delivers a “micro-trauma” to the targeted spot that literally shocks the body into healing. The body responds by addressing the damage and inflammation at the source of the chronic pain, starting with the construction of new blood vessels.
Stimulated and reinvigorated, the body’s self-healing processes complete the repair and rebuilding. New, healthy tissue develops, restoring function and reducing or eliminating pain in areas that were formerly afflicted by severe inflammation by microscopically-torn fibers or other seemingly irreparable damage.
As healing progresses, the body is able to break down and absorb calcific deposits. The pressure exerted on the tissue during shcokwave treatment also has a direct and primary analgesic effect, in addition to stimulating long-term healing.
Call us for any questions you might have about your specific medical condition and if Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment (ESWT) is right for you.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a popular treatment method used to combat common concerns including heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendonitis, lateral epicondylitis, and more.
Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving areas where major connective tissues attach to bones.
Most patients treated with shockwave experience a marked improvement within several weeks. Range of motion increases and freedom from symptoms is usually achieved after a single treatment.