What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment for chronic pain. The treatment involves applying a series of acoustic waves directly to an injury. Shockwave therapy is an extracorporeal treatment, meaning it works outside the body to repair damage. For patients hoping to avoid surgery and invasive procedures, shockwave therapy is an effective non-surgical alternative.

How does shockwave therapy work?

Shockwave therapy is a straightforward treatment. Dr. Lambarski applies a special gel to your skin at the site of your injury and delivers the treatment through a shockwave device. The applicator delivers targeted acoustic waves directly into your injured tissues, including your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Once the acoustic waves reach your injury, they create microtrauma (tiny tears). This microtrauma triggers your body’s natural healing response for accelerating tissue repair and new cell growth. While your injury repairs itself, shockwave therapy releases an analgesic effect that numbs the area to relieve pain.

Which conditions can shockwave therapy treat?

Treating musculoskeletal damage is the most common use for shockwave therapy. It works best to repair soft tissue injuries, particularly those that affect your body’s tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

In podiatry, shockwave therapy commonly treats plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick, tough band of tissue that stretches from your heel to the end of your toes. Any type of injury or overuse can trigger plantar fasciitis, which causes heel pain. Shockwave therapy can repair damage within the plantar fascia to provide lasting relief from pain.

Other common conditions that shockwave therapy can treat are:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Heel spurs
• Chronic tendinopathy
• Medial tibial stress syndrome

If you’re still experiencing pain after trying physical therapy, custom orthotics, and other non-invasive treatments, surgery is not your only option. Talk to Dr. Lambarski about your candidacy for shockwave therapy.

How many shockwave therapy treatments will I need?

Most shockwave therapy treatments only take a few minutes. While results vary for every patient, most need around four treatments — one every 3-6 weeks — to achieve lasting pain relief.

It’s normal to experience mild soreness after each treatment. These side effects should subside within a few hours or days. 

Most patients are candidates for shockwave therapy, but you should not try the treatment if you have circulation problems, a nerve disorder, or if you’re taking blood-thinning medications.

To learn more about shockwave therapy, call Northeast Foot Care or book an appointment online now.