Shockwave Therapy: What Is It and When Might It Be Recommended?
If you’ve been dealing with a stubborn tendon or soft-tissue problem, you may have heard someone mention shockwave therapy.
The name can sound a little intimidating.
Despite the word “shock,” shockwave therapy does not involve electrical shocks. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves directed into a targeted area of the body.
Shockwave therapy is used for certain musculoskeletal concerns, particularly some conditions involving tendons and other soft tissues. At Active Health Collective in Edmonton, it may be considered as one treatment option depending on your symptoms, assessment, and individual needs.
So, what exactly does shockwave therapy do, and when might it be recommended?
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses a handheld device to deliver mechanical pressure waves through the skin into a targeted area.
During treatment, the practitioner identifies the area being treated, applies a coupling gel to the skin, and moves the treatment head over the area while the device delivers a series of pulses.
These pressure waves interact with the tissues beneath the skin.
The treatment is sometimes called extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT. Different types of shockwave devices and technologies exist, so the exact treatment method can vary.
Is Shockwave Therapy an Electrical Treatment?
No.
This is probably one of the most useful misconceptions to clear up for someone hearing about shockwave therapy for the first time.
The “shockwaves” are acoustic or mechanical waves, not electrical shocks being sent through your body.
You will normally hear the device operating and feel repeated pulses against the treatment area, but you are not receiving an electrical current.
What Is Shockwave Therapy Used For?
Shockwave therapy is commonly associated with persistent musculoskeletal and soft-tissue concerns, particularly certain tendon-related conditions.
Depending on the individual and clinical findings, a practitioner may consider shockwave therapy for concerns involving areas such as the:
- shoulder
- elbow
- hip
- knee
- Achilles tendon
- heel or plantar fascia
However, having discomfort in one of these areas doesn’t automatically mean shockwave therapy is appropriate.
For example, heel pain can have more than one possible cause. Shoulder pain can arise from different structures and conditions. Treating an area simply because it hurts isn’t the same as understanding why it hurts.
That is why an assessment matters before deciding whether shockwave therapy belongs in a treatment plan.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Researchers have studied several biological responses associated with shockwave therapy.
The mechanical energy delivered to the treatment area is intended to stimulate responses within the tissue that may support the body’s natural healing processes. Research into shockwave therapy has examined effects involving local circulation, cellular activity, tissue remodelling, and pain.
The exact response depends on factors including the tissue involved, the condition being treated, and the type and settings of the shockwave equipment.
For patients, the more practical point is this:
Shockwave therapy is not simply a machine used wherever something hurts.
It is a treatment tool that may be considered when the practitioner believes the condition and tissues involved are appropriate for it.
What Does Shockwave Therapy Feel Like?
Most people describe shockwave therapy as a rapid tapping or pulsing sensation.
How comfortable it feels can vary considerably.
Some areas may be more sensitive than others, particularly when the practitioner is working over an already irritated structure. Treatment intensity can generally be adjusted based on the area being treated and the patient’s tolerance.
You should communicate with your practitioner throughout treatment.
The goal isn’t to see how much discomfort you can withstand. Your practitioner needs to know what you’re feeling so treatment can be adjusted appropriately.
How Long Does a Shockwave Treatment Take?
The shockwave portion of an appointment is generally relatively short.
However, the length and structure of your overall appointment will depend on the reason you are being treated and whether other assessment or treatment is being provided.
The number of sessions recommended can also vary.
Rather than assuming everyone needs the same number of appointments, your practitioner should consider the condition being addressed, how long it has been present, how you are responding, and your overall treatment plan.
Is Shockwave Therapy a Stand-Alone Treatment?
Sometimes it may be one component of a broader plan.
For example, someone dealing with a persistent tendon problem may also need to consider how that tissue is being loaded during work, exercise, or everyday activity.
In those circumstances, treatment in the clinic may be only part of the picture.
Appropriate movement, progressive exercise, strength, and activity modification may also be considered depending on the person’s needs.
This is where services such as kinesiology and rehabilitation can sometimes complement treatment.
That does not mean everyone receiving shockwave therapy requires rehabilitation. The appropriate combination of care depends on the individual.
Does Shockwave Therapy Work Right Away?
Responses vary.
Some people may notice changes relatively quickly, while others may experience improvement more gradually. Because shockwave therapy is often used for persistent musculoskeletal concerns, it is important to have realistic expectations about treatment.
No therapy can guarantee a particular result.
Your practitioner should discuss why shockwave therapy is being considered, what the treatment is intended to address, and how your response will be evaluated.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Everyone?
No.
There are circumstances in which shockwave therapy may not be appropriate, and your health history matters.
Before treatment, tell your practitioner about relevant medical conditions, medications, recent injuries or procedures, pregnancy, and anything else that may affect whether treatment is suitable.
This is another reason we don’t recommend choosing shockwave therapy simply because you’ve read that it can be used for a particular symptom.
The first question isn’t:
“Can shockwave treat this?”
It is:
“What is causing the problem, and what treatment makes sense for me?”
What Happens Before Shockwave Therapy at Active Health Collective?
At Active Health Collective, treatment recommendations begin with understanding the patient and the concern being addressed.
Your practitioner may ask about when the problem began, what aggravates or relieves it, how it affects your activities, and what you have already tried.
An assessment may also include examining movement and the area involved.
If shockwave therapy is considered appropriate, your practitioner can explain why it is being recommended, what you can expect during treatment, and how it fits into the rest of your care.
Considering Shockwave Therapy in Edmonton?
If you have been dealing with a persistent musculoskeletal concern and are wondering whether shockwave therapy might be appropriate, the best place to begin is with an assessment.
At Active Health Collective in Edmonton, shockwave therapy is one of several treatment options available. The goal isn’t to fit every patient into a particular treatment.
It is to determine what makes sense for you.
Learn more about Shockwave Therapy at Active Health Collective or contact our Edmonton clinic to book an appointment.
FAQs
Does shockwave therapy use electricity?
No. Shockwave therapy uses acoustic or mechanical pressure waves rather than an electrical current.
Is shockwave therapy painful?
Shockwave therapy can feel uncomfortable in some areas, particularly over sensitive tissue. Treatment intensity can generally be adjusted, and patients should communicate with their practitioner about what they are feeling.
What conditions can shockwave therapy be used for?
Shockwave therapy is commonly used for certain musculoskeletal and tendon-related concerns, including some conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, knee, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia. An assessment is necessary to determine whether it is appropriate for an individual’s condition.
How many shockwave therapy treatments will I need?
There is no single treatment schedule that applies to everyone. The number and frequency of appointments depend on the condition being treated, the individual’s response, and the practitioner’s recommendations.
Do I need rehabilitation with shockwave therapy?
Not necessarily. Some patients may benefit from exercise or rehabilitation alongside treatment, particularly when strength, movement, or tissue loading is relevant to the concern. Others may not require rehabilitation.