What is Shockwave Therapy?
Radial Pulsed Wave therapy works without the use of drugs and stimulates the body’s natural self-healing process. There is an immediate reduction of pain and improved ease of movement. Shockwave Therapy may even eliminate your need for surgery.
Before recommending Radial Pulsed Wave (Shockwave) Therapy, our professional team will need to assess your condition to determine if this treatment will benefit you. No two people will respond exactly the same to therapy, even if they share what seems to be a similar condition.
How Does It Work?
A small metal ball (projectile) is accelerated inside the handpiece using electro-magnetic propulsions until it impacts the stop plate. This collision generates a mechanical pressure wave. The wave of energy is transferred to the applicator head which then sends that energy through the body.
Different sized ‘heads’ are on the handpiece applicator depending on the type of treatment being delivered.
The process is often loud, but rest assured that this is normal. The sound you hear is nothing more than the sound generated when the projectile impacts the stop plate in the handpiece.
Who Can Benefit?
Pulsed Waves are used to treat many orthopedic conditions, including:
- Plantar Fassiitis (Heal Spurs)
- Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s Elbow)
- Thumb Basal Joint Arthritis
- Shoulder Tendinitis
- Chronic Inflammation
- Bursitis
- Shin Splints
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Stress Fractures
- Osteoarthritis
How Long Will It Take?
Typical treatments last 5 minutes per area that we are treating. In that time we typically deliver about 2000 pulses. Most conditions require multiple treatments spaced several days apart to allow your body to do its natural healing in between sessions.
During your initial assessment our team will evaluate your specific condition to determine how many treatments you will need.
Does It Hurt?
If your treatment is on a “fleshy” area, you are not likely to feel any discomfort at all. Treatments on “boney” regions tend to be more sensitive. Your first treatment may be uncomfortable at first but most patients find it tolerable. As your body heals, you will find each successive treatment easier.
If you are especially sensitive, adjustments on the machine can decrease the discomfort you feel.
We use a device called the Zimmer enPuls specifically because it delivers a patented “Soft Shot” pulse that is much less likely to cause discomfort during treatment.
What Kind of Health Problems Can Be Treated?
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendon
- Tennis Elbow
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Scar Tissue
Find out more. Book your appointment today.