Shockwave Therapy: How It Works and How It Helps

Shockwave Therapy is making serious waves in the chiropractic world for good reasons. This cutting-edge technology can treat a variety of conditions—including joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons—and provide welcome pain relief while being completely non-invasive.

Prized in the world of sports and professional athletes, keep reading to learn more about how this innovative treatment supports healing and how it can help you.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy uses a handheld device with specific applicators to transfer energy into a targeted area of your body. The device uses compressed air to create pulses—like the rhythmic beating on a drum. As it pulses against your skin, it creates powerful shock waves that reach areas of your body that regular manual therapy can’t. As each wave travels, the radical change in pressure causes tiny gas bubbles to form and collapse rapidly, stimulating the surrounding area.

The shock waves can be adjusted to vary in frequency (speed) and intensity, so they are suitable for a wide range of conditions. Below, we take an even closer look at how shockwave therapy encourages healing. Is it right for you?

4 Ways Shockwave Therapy Promotes Healing

Surgery, pain medication, and painful injections used to be typical options for many injuries and conditions. But Shockwave Therapy stimulates healing and provides pain relief without the complications of surgery or medication—it is effective and non-invasive.

It stimulates healing and provides relief in the following four ways:

1. Reduces Pain

Shockwave treatment influences the body’s natural pain communication system. During treatment, it reduces the neurotransmitter chemical levels responsible for sending pain signals to the brain.

Pain relief isn’t the only benefit, though. It also reduces the inflammation response in the area—which supports healing.

2. Promotes the Formation of New Tissue

Shockwave Therapy stimulates the body’s natural ability to generate new blood vessels (angiogenesis). This speeds up the formation of new cells, which form healthy tissue. Depending on the area targeted, this may be bone tissue, cartilage, or even synovial (joint) fluid.

3. Breaks Down Unwanted Tissue

Using a deeper intensity of shock wave, this treatment method can break down unwanted tissue in the body—like calcified or scar tissue—to restore flexibility and relieve tension and pain.

4. Enhances Circulation

It also speeds up the body’s natural blood circulation in the treated area—which further enhances tissue regeneration while reducing local inflammation.

What to Expect When Undergoing Shockwave Therapy

EMS DolorClast® Shockwave Therapy is an exciting and powerful tool—in the hands of professionals. If your chiropractor decides that you would benefit from Shockwave Therapy, it’s helpful to know what to expect during treatment.

Remember, the intensity of the shock waves can be adjusted—this offers you peace of mind if you feel nervous. Here’s what you can expect:

• First, your chiropractor will apply a gel to the area to ensure direct contact with your skin.
• As the treatment starts, you will notice pressure and a slight sensation of pain—this is not a “bad” pain; it’s an indication that the area is being stimulated.
• As time passes, the pain will fade, and at the end of the treatment, you will experience pain relief in the area.
• The dose can be tailored to your tolerance enabling it to be relatively comfortable.

The other remarkable benefits will make themselves known as your symptoms improve over the treatment period.

To find out if you can benefit from Shockwave Therapy, our team at Chatfield Chiropractic is ready to help! Chronic pain doesn’t have to be a permanent part of your story. Shockwave Therapy and other beneficial treatment options can help you return to your active lifestyle—without any downtime from complicated surgeries or potent medications. Book your appointment with us today!

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