Shockwave therapy can help manage a range of conditions, like chronic pain, sprains, strains and neck pain. The treatment can be entirely tailored to your individual needs.
If the “shock” in shockwave therapy makes you nervous, or if you’re wondering if shockwave therapy is painful, let’s take a closer look at this treatment, to help ease your concerns.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive and effective way to target pain and break down scar tissue in your muscles. Shockwave therapy uses energy waves to help you find relief from conditions such as chronic pain or plantar fasciitis.
How does shockwave therapy work and what are the benefits?
Shockwave therapy works by producing sound waves, which penetrate the damaged areas of your body. The waves of energy are transmitted through an applicator, which is placed directly on your skin during the procedure, so that the waves can reach scarred or damaged muscles.
Benefits of shockwave therapy:
- Helps with pain management: shockwave therapy may help with pain relief as the waves impact the pain receptors in the treatment area.
- Supports your body’s natural healing response: the energy generated by the sound waves causes a mild inflammatory response, which helps to trigger your body’s natural way of healing itself.
- Stimulates blood flow and assists to increase circulation: shockwave therapy may help boost your circulation, which helps the nutrients and oxygen in your blood get to damaged areas faster, helping them to heal.
- Helps to reduce scar tissue: scar tissue can affect your muscles, and cause tightness, tension and pain.
- Encourages improved range of motion: injuries and scar tissue can also reduce your range of motion, which may improve after shockwave therapy.
Is shockwave therapy painful?
Reassuringly, shockwave therapy is not as shocking as it sounds.
As shockwave therapy is non-invasive, you won’t need any anesthetic during treatment. Rather than a “shock” or sharp pain, most people might feel slightly uncomfortable during treatment. Shockwave therapy will feel different depending on what area of your body is being treated and if it is for a specific injury or condition.
While everyone’s pain thresholds are different, the benefits of shockwave therapy are likely to outweigh any discomfort you may feel during the procedure. In fact, shockwave therapy may bring relief if you suffer from pain or chronic conditions like arthritis and can help you recover from an injury.
When you visit Gateway to Wellness for shockwave treatment, we will have a conversation with you prior to your treatment, so you know what to expect and we will continue our conversation during your treatment. Throughout your treatment your therapist will continue to check in on the intensity level and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.
Are there shockwave therapy side effects?
Shockwave therapy side effects are minimal, and considered very mild. You may experience the following side effects in the place where you were treated:
- discomfort or pain
- bruising or swelling
- numbness or tingling.
All of these side effects should reduce in a couple of days. After your treatment we will let you know what to expect and answer any questions you may have so that you can feel confident in your ongoing recovery post-treatment.
Can shockwave therapy help me?
At Gateway to Wellness, our PiezoWave shockwave therapy is an innovative new treatment that we are proud to offer you as an additional way to support your health and wellbeing.
When you make an appointment for PiezoWave therapy with us, we’ll work with you to understand your needs, previous injuries and any current pain. This will help us target and tailor our shockwave treatments to make sure you reach your goals; whether that is to find pain relief, get back to the gym or throw a ball with your children.
Disclaimer
All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Gateway to Wellness can consult with you to confirm if a particular treatment is right for you.
