Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive type of treatment that employs sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing ability. The sound waves produce a therapeutic effect that relieves pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which in turn reduces inflammation and promotes the healing of damaged tissues, tendons, and ligaments. Shockwave therapy has a range of applications in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, heel spurs, and Morton’s neuroma.
If you have any issues with your ankle or feet or regularly partake in rigorous sporting activities, you can often suffer from tissue injuries, ligaments, or tendinopathy. However, Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates podiatrists, will integrate shockwave therapy into your care plan to speed up your recovery period.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy packs a myriad of benefits including;
1. Increased blood circulation
During shockwave therapy, a handheld device is used to send sound waves to the affected tissues. The sound waves send tiny cavitations of bubbles that burst to increase blood flow to the point of injury and avail oxygen and nutrients. This consequently stimulates the proliferation of new blood vessels to boost blood flow.
2. Promotes collagen production
Collagen provides the basic structure, strength, and support for tendons, muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues. In case of an injury, collagen production increases to repair damaged tissues and avoid further damage. Shockwave therapy encourages the production of new collagen, which facilitates speedy healing and tissue regeneration.
3. Facilitates pain relief without numbing agents
The sound waves generated during therapy send tiny vibrations to the damaged tissues and break down inflammatory cells that have accumulated. This action reduces the swelling and dulls the pain as the shockwaves counter the immune response mounted by the body to cause swelling and inflammation.
4. Helps dissolve calcified tissues
Accumulation of calcium in the body can cause calcium to harden in your soft tissues or other parts of the body. Though this might not be a major concern, some deposits on the feet can be painful. Shockwave therapy will help dissolve the deposits while they get cleared out of the system by the lymphatic system.
5. It is Non-invasive
Compared to other podiatric treatment options, shockwave therapy is safe, non-invasive, and with no side effects. Moreover, the risks experienced, if any, are minor and usually temporal. As such, it is a go-to treatment option that will; be preferred by many patients who dread dealing with side effects and long after-treatment recovery periods.
How effective is Shockwave Therapy?
Even though many may doubt its efficacy, shockwave therapy is effective. Mainly, the therapy is administered with a combination of other therapies to enhance its effectiveness. If administered alone, the results are not instant, and it requires patience. However, you will definitely experience some improvement as your injured tissues start to heal.
Since no incisions are made, it is possible to resume your activity immediately after your therapy session. Each shockwave therapy session may last for about 5 minutes and might be administered 2-3 times a week, depending on your podiatric recommendations.