What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy, also known as Radial Shockwave Therapy or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, is a non-invasive treatment option for various musculoskeletal conditions that uses high-energy acoustic (sound) waves to stimulate healing.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave Therapy involves the application of an electromechanical probe to the affected area and the delivering of pulses to the tissue. The acoustic waves stimulate mechanotransduction which triggers the body’s natural healing response by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation and breaking down scar tissue.
Shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing cascade by:
- Increased Blood Flow: Shockwaves trigger the growth of new blood vessels, delivering essential nutrients to the injured area to promote healing
- Collagen Remodeling: Shockwaves break down dysfunctional scar tissue and stimulate the production of healthy collagen, leading to improved tissue strength and flexibility.
- Pain Reduction: Shockwave therapy disrupts the pain cycle, providing immediate relief and promoting long-term pain management.
What Conditions May Benefit from Shockwave Therapy?
- Calcific Tendinopathy of the Shoulder
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Patellar (Knee) Tendinopathy
- Trapezius Myofascial Syndrome
- Low Back Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- & More
Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction
Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessels forming from existing ones and is another potential outcome from using shockwave therapy making it a applicable treatment option for erectile dysfunction.
For erectile dysfunction, the patient can expect potential results in one to two months typically, but many times patients will see a change within a few weeks.
