Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal aches and pains focusing on tendons, tendon attachments, and muscular conditions. It has been shown to be a highly effective, non-invasive process cleared by the FDA for specific treatments.
WHAT IS Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy being used to treat a rotator cuff dysfunction
Following its development for treating kidney stones with focused acoustic shockwaves, the therapy was modified to treat musculoskeletal aches and pains using radial, less-focused acoustic shockwaves to address shallower tissues such as tendon, tendon attachments, and muscular conditions. It has been shown to be a highly effective, non-invasive treatment method cleared by the FDA to stimulate cellular metabolism and collagen production, enhance blood/lymph circulation and fibrotic tissue breakdown, and accelerate the healing response and tissue regeneration.
Shockwave therapy has many names, but it’s all the same thing.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) (“Extracorporeal” means “outside the body”)
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT) (This is a brand name of a version of the shockwave technology that we use in our practice)
Acoustic Shockwave Therapy
Radial Shockwave Therapy
disorders Treatable with Shockwave Therapy
Foot and Ankle – Plantar Fasciitis / Achilles Tendonitis / Shin Splints
Calves/Arches – Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain
Knee – Patellar Tendonitis / Runners Knee / Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Hip – Trochanteric Bursitis / Gluteal Tendonitis / Upper Hamstring Strains
Shoulder – Rotator Cuff Dysfunction / Calcific Tendonitis
Elbow – Tennis Elbow / Golfers Elbow
Neck / Trap / Scapula / Lower-Mid Back – Trigger Point & Myofascial Pain
benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Evidence-based
Non-invasive
No anesthesia required
No risk of infection
No scarring
No downtime
Cost effective
Faster healing
Over 80% patient satisfaction
Expected Results
Best case scenario, in as few as one to three weekly 10-15 min sessions, some patients can fully return to sport and activity pain free.
More commonly, at least three treatment sessions are necessary at weekly intervals to experience noted improvement and may require 5-8 total sessions to reach full resolution. But as always, the fewer the better.
The speed of improvement and number of sessions required depends on multiple factors such as the patient’s age, how long they’ve had their condition, overall health status, the patient’s activity levels through care, adherence to home stretches & exercises assigned by your doctors, etc.
Patients over 60 years old should be treated every other week to allow for full recovery between sessions.
“After maternity leave, I started suffering from plantar fasciitis. I was in so much pain I could hardly walk around my house. …I did about 5 shockwave treatments, and my plantar fasciitis is gone! I can now walk around without limping, and recently began jogging again….”
How Is Shockwave Therapy Performed?
Coupling gel is applied to the treatment area of interest to enhance the transmission of the acoustic shockwaves into the tissue. Within the applicator handpiece a small metal bar is driven back and forth with electromagnets and hits the back of an applicator tip where acoustic pressure waves are released and transmitted into the tissue.
“… I had been having knee pain from playing too much tennis, it felt like a knife stabbing into the side of my knee, it even left a tender spot that looked like a small golfball. [The doctor] focused the shockwave on that spot and it broke up that hard and tender area. I will not sugar coat the pain, it really hurt, but to get relief was amazing. I have not needed a follow up, just stretching and deep tissue massage on the knee and hip…. … I recommend this treatment, if you are in pain, it helps speed up the healing process.”
Is Shockwave Therapy Safe?
Yes. This FDA-cleared technology was developed in Europe and is currently used around the globe. A wealth of medical experience, state-of-the-art engineering and optimal quality have been built into each Shockwave device, and extensive clinical studies and tests have confirmed its safety and efficacy.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy / EPAT / Radial Shockwave has been shown to improve treatment outcomes for sports injuries and repetitive use injuries such as Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis.
Try shockwave therapy now at our Fort Worth, Texas, clinic.
possible side effects or complications
The non-invasive shockwave treatment has virtually no long-term risks or side effects.
The therapy can be uncomfortable during application and for about 1-2 days following. This is expected although not desired and we will vary the strength and frequency to keep it to the patient’s tolerance.
In some cases, patients may experience some noted localized bruising, redness, swelling, and sensitivity to touch for 24 to 48 hours after the Shockwave session.
What if I have a special health condition?
The safety and effectiveness of the Shockwave procedure has not been determined on people with the following health conditions, so we tend to completely avoid treating patients with any of the following conditions:
Malignancies / Cancerous Tumors
Serious Cardiovascular Disorders
DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
Pregnancy / Breast Feeding
Pacemaker
Tips to Improve Your Results with Shockwave Therapy
Make sure to eat a good well-balanced diet with plenty of protein.
Drink lots of water.
Make sure that you are not deficient in Iron or Vitamin D.
Reduce training volume by 50% for 2 days after each Shockwave session.
Discontinue the use of any/all NSAIDS seven days before your treatment and for the first ten days after treatment begins.
Heat the area 10-20 minutes every 3-4 hours after treatment for the first three days to promote blood flow to the area.
Pricing
Visit our online scheduler for pricing options or feel free to call the office at 817-332-5353 with any questions.
Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Try shockwave therapy now at our Fort Worth, Texas, clinic.
