Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a safe, noninvasive treatment where energy, in the form of shockwaves, is delivered to injured tissues to reduce pain and promote healing. ESWT can be a good option for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions, such as tendonitis, that have not responded to other conservative treatments. Patients may experience some discomfort during the treatment, but side effects are normally minimal.

The treatment uses pulses of energy, or “shockwaves,” to cause micro-traumas in the soft tissues that have been damaged and are experiencing chronic pain. The waves are generated by a small machine, and travel through a cable and into an applicator, called a transducer. The physician then uses the wand to deliver the shockwaves into your injured tissues. The waves trigger a healing response, increasing the natural biological processes that fight inflammation and accelerate tissue regeneration.

ADVANTAGES OF ESWT

• It's safe. Shockwave therapy is extremely safe. Patients may experience minor side effects, such as mild swelling or bruising for a few days after the procedure, but major side effects are extremely rare. • It's non-surgical. You can continue your life while you receive shockwave therapy without having to set aside for a lengthy surgical recovery. • It's non-invasive. Nothing needs to be delivered inside the body through needles or tubes for shockwave therapy. The term "extracorporeal" actually means outside the body. • It's drug-free. No steroids or prescriptions are part of ESWT. Other than a possible local anethetic where the therapy is delivered, the therapy uses the body's own mechanisms to heal itself. • It's effective. For many people who are not helped by other conservative treatments like stretching, physical therapy and rest, shockwave therapy can lessen pain and speed up healing. It may help patients avoid surgery, or recover more quickly.