Shockwave therapy has transformed how we treat chronic pain and sports injuries, offering a non-invasive option popular among medical professionals and patients. Initially developed in the 1960s, it has evolved from medical research to being used to break down kidney stones to mainstream therapeutic use for various soft tissue conditions.
In this article, we will explore how it works, discover some common sports injuries it is used to treat, and answer questions about side effects, effectiveness, and benefits.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapies were first developed in Germany in the late 1960s. Early on, they were primarily used to break up kidney stones to make them easier to pass. In the 1980s, scientists and doctors began studying their use in treating soft tissue injuries.
It’s a non-invasive treatment that uses energy waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. It’s widely used to relieve pain from chronic musculoskeletal conditions and promote the healing of tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues after injuries and surgery. It does this by stimulating the release of growth factors in the injured tissue.
Two types of methods are used: focussed and radial shockwave therapies. They differ in their maximum intensity and whether they use divergent waves over a broader and shallower area (radial) or focused waves over a specific site (focussed), which allows for deeper penetration of the waves.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Both high-energy and low-energy treatments work by sending pulses of energy that produce divergent or focused waves, depending on the method being used, to the site of injury.
Focussed methods use a highly focused energy wave that can be adjusted to varying depths from 2 to 30cm. This makes it beneficial for treating shallow locations but also deeper conditions in hips and lower limbs where deeper penetration is necessary.
Shallower locations like elbows and wrists could respond well to radial methods. These methods use a divergent wave that spreads over a wider area but has a maximum effectiveness of about 3 to 4cm deep. Because of their wider effective surface area, they are useful for treating shallow injuries, especially those spread over a tendon's length.
However, they’re less suitable for treating deep tissue injuries as their effectiveness declines significantly below 4cm.
Both methods work by stimulating the release of growth factors in the injured tissues, stimulating the body’s natural healing process to generate new tissues. They also increase blood flow to the area, break down calcified deposits, and reduce pain by overstimulating nerve endings in the affected area.
How Long Does It Take for Shock Wave Therapy to Work?
Most people can return to normal activities within about 24 hours after treatment and may feel improvement immediately, while others may take more time. Still, most patients need only two or three treatments over several weeks for complete healing and lasting relief.
Is It Painful?
Most patients experience no pain from the treatment, although mild discomfort during the procedure is not uncommon. Those few who experience pain generally find it subsides quickly.
Are There Side Effects?
Side effects are rare and generally involve discomfort or occasional pain during and immediately after the treatment. Some patients will experience some bruising or odd sensations in the area after treatment, but those should also subside fairly quickly.
The more severe side effects are rare and preventable by understanding the contraindications. If someone has a tendon or ligament that is already nearly torn, there is a slight chance it will tear completely.
The other possible complication is in patients with osteoporosis whose low bone density could result in a stress fracture during treatment. In both cases, X-rays done beforehand to diagnose those issues can prevent further damage.
How Effective is Shockwave Therapy?
Doctors have been using shockwave therapies successfully since the 1980s. Countless patients who have received treatments have benefited from reduced recovery times after healing from injuries and surgeries and a significant reduction in pain for chronic conditions.
However, it is essential to understand that the effects may not be noticeable immediately after treatment, as tissues take time to heal. Still, it significantly speeds up healing and reduces recovery time compared to not using it.
What Are the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?
There are numerous benefits to these treatments. One significant advantage is that they are non-invasive and can avoid the need for complicated, expensive surgeries that can take weeks or even months of recovery time.
They’re also much safer than drug therapies like corticosteroids used for many of the same conditions. Since they speed healing at a cellular level, they provide lasting benefits long after the treatment, providing a safe alternative for otherwise difficult-to-treat conditions.
What Sports Injuries Is Shockwave Therapy Used For?
Numerous sports injuries respond very well to shockwave therapy. However, patients should always consult a doctor first, as some injuries require surgery or other treatments, so X-ray diagnostics are critical as a first step.
For instance, depending on the symptoms, they may need to get a foot or an ankle X-ray in the case of fractures or breaks requiring other treatment modalities. Still, even in those cases, these methods are often used alongside other treatments to speed healing.
Here are some common sports injuries that respond well to this treatment method.
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Bursitis
- Hip tendinopathy
- Foot, ankle, or shoulder tendonitis
- Stress fracture
- Fracture nonunion
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, or shoulders
- Hamstring injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Strained calves
Final Thoughts
Shockwave therapy is a versatile, effective treatment for chronic pain and sports injuries, particularly those involving soft tissues like tendons and ligaments. Increasing blood flow, releasing growth factors, and triggering tissue regeneration accelerates healing while minimizing downtime and reducing reliance on surgeries and drugs.
As a safe and accessible non-invasive therapy, it provides better patient experiences, offering significant pain relief and faster recovery times for otherwise often difficult-to-treat conditions. If you want to improve your patient’s treatment options, contact Maven Imaging for our selection of cutting-edge Shockwave Therapy Equipment.
