Injuries involving soft tissue or some bone problems can cause a significant amount of pain for an individual. Oftentimes, these injuries can severely limit an individual from enjoying activities such as sports and even impact their daily lives. Yet, a procedure once used to treat kidney stones has now proven itself to be effective in treating a wide range of soft tissue and musculoskeletal issues.
Shockwave therapy has become a viable treatment option for individuals looking for pain relief. With multiple studies showing shockwave therapy’s success in treating conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and medial tibial stress syndrome.
Here we’ll dive deeper into when someone should consider shockwave therapy to treat chronic pain conditions. We’ll cover how shockwave therapy works, as well as go into further detail about the medical conditions it can treat.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy works through the stimulation of osteoblasts and fibroblasts. Osteoblasts are cells involved in bone regeneration and production. Fibroblasts are the cells that control healing in connective tissues. Through pressure, tension, and movement, circulation is improved by a process called angiogenesis, which makes new blood vessels, which will lead to increased healing and pain reduction.
Pain is alleviated through two separate processes. The first is a gate-control mechanism. This is where nerves are recalibrated using shockwave therapy to register pain differently, leading to a reduction in long-term aches and discomfort often caused by tissue and bone problems.
Secondly, shockwave therapy also helps with short-term pain in a process called hyperstimulation anesthesia. This is when nerve receptors are flooded with additional stimuli diminishing their ability to register pain during activity, as well as producing nerve growth factors.
What Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?
Shockwave therapy can treat a wide range of issues in both the soft tissues and bone. Here are just a few of the problems that can be successfully addressed using shockwave therapy:
Hip Pain
Hip pain occurs when there’s a breakdown of the cartilage due to age, a fracture due to injury, or when muscles get overused during physical activity. Shockwave therapy has been used to significantly reduce pain in the damaged area and aids in the healing process by countering inflammation.
Heel Spurs
Another condition that benefits from shockwave therapy is heel spurs. These calcium deposits develop on the bottom of the heel, causing intense pain and limited mobility. Inflammation is also an issue as the body attempts to heal itself. Yet, with shockwave therapy, pain and inflammation can be significantly reduced, allowing patients to resume normal activities much sooner than traditional treatment options.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Caused by overexertion and excess stress on the anterior tibialis muscle, medial tibial stress syndrome can restrict an individual’s movement for extended periods of time. Shockwave therapy can greatly reduce the pain associated with medial tibial stress syndrome, reducing recovery time and allowing an athlete to return to normal activities after several treatment regimens.
Jumper’s Knee
Resulting from an injury to the patellar tendon, jumper’s knee is a painful condition that can severely impact the mobility of a sufferer. Historically difficult to treat, jumper’s knee can effectively end the ability of someone to perform during sports or everyday activities. With shockwave therapy used as a treatment, pain and inflammation are dramatically reduced, providing more mobility and reduced recovery times.‘
Dr. David W. Nadler & Associates: Providing Cutting Edge Treatment With Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a viable treatment option for those suffering from soft tissue and bone injuries. By utilizing shockwave therapy, individuals can alleviate chronic pain and regain function and mobility in their life.
Dr. Nadler is one of the pioneers of this life-altering treatment. Dr. Nadler provides extensive services such as radial and focused shockwave therapy for physical therapy and specializes in deep tissue treatments. If you’re interested in learning more about how shockwave therapy can help you overcome pain and inflammation, reach out to his offices today.