Shockwave Pro Therapy

Shockwave Therapy is one of the most recent advancements in medical science. This device sends shockwaves into the injured tissues with a proposed mechanism of action that includes stimulating increased blood flow and growth hormones to the area, promoting healing and new tissue growth. Shockwave Therapy can help treat knee and shoulder pain from osteoarthritis, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, lateral/medial epicondylitis (tennis and golfer's elbow) and chronic neck and back pain.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes and may be an alternative to surgery or medication.

How does Shockwave Pro work?

Shockwave therapy works by delivering high-energy acoustic waves to the affected area. After a consultation with Dr. Carter, the affected area will be identified and evaluated. Once it is determined that shockwave therapy is an option, then treatment proceeds as follows:

A gel is applied to the skin over the treatment area to ensure efficient transmission of the shockwaves.
The Shockwave Pro applicator generates and delivers shockwaves through the gel into the body.
These shockwaves penetrate the tissues, reaching the targeted area and will stimulate the body’s natural healing processes by increasing blood flow, promoting cell regeneration, and reducing inflammation. During this process, altering the angle of the applicator can cover more area with the injury site.
With time and treatment, the shockwaves help to alleviate pain and improve function in the treated area.

What are the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?

Delivery of shockwave therapy offers several benefits, including but not limited to:

Non-Invasive: No surgery required, which means no incisions/wound site healing or lengthy recovery times.
Pain Relief: Pain may be significantly reduced through the healing of damaged tissues.
Quick Treatment Sessions: Sessions typically lasts about 5-10 minutes.
Improved Mobility: With a reduction in pain and inflammation, improved range of motion and overall function will support the affected area.
Stimulates Healing: With enhanced blood flow and the promotion of tissue regeneration, the healing process may accelerate.
Versatile: Effective for a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, lateral/medial epicondylitis (tennis and golfer's elbow) and chronic neck and back pain.
Minimal Side Effects: Most people may experience some mild discomfort during the treatment, with very few side effects afterward.

Focused Shockwave Applications in Rheumatology

With his practice dedicated to advancing rheumatology care and treatments, Dr. Carter has spent his professional career helping patients manage their conditions while seeking new treatments to improve their quality of life. Impressed with the current outcomes of utilizing focused shockwave therapy in various rheumatological applications, Dr. Carter has witnessed tremendous benefits for certain types of joint and soft tissue disorders.

Focused shockwave therapy may be an option for targeting localized pain and improving mobility, particularly in cases where other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. This therapeutic modality may reduce pain and inflammation associated with joint pain, back pain and/or tendonitis.

Osteoarthritis patients suffer from this chronic degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage in a joint breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Focused shockwave therapy may assist with reducing pain and stiffness, though its effectiveness may vary depending on the severity of joint degeneration. In some cases, studies have suggested that focused shockwave therapy may have regenerative effects on cartilage, potentially slowing the progression of osteoarthritis or improving symptoms.

Ankylosing Spondylitis patients suffer from this chronic inflammatory disease that causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. This condition has a predilection to affect the spine and sacroiliac joints, which causes stiffness and pain. While not a primary treatment option, shockwave therapy may provide some inflammation relief where tendons or ligaments connect to bones.

Efficacy and Safety of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 632 Patients

While research is still in its infancy related to the benefits of shockwave therapy for those suffering from rheumatologic conditions, findings thus far have been encouraging as it relates to the reduction of pain and inflammation. Other studies suggest shockwave therapy used for conditions like tendinopathy and calcific tendinitis have shown it can be effective in reducing pain and improving function.

Want to learn more? Request an appointment with Dr. Carter today.