However, the results become apparent 5 to 11 weeks after treatment. The results of shock wave therapy are long-lasting. Patients always ask questions such as: “How long does shockwave therapy last? At first, they may experience immediate relief due to nerve numbness. Patients may experience a reduction in pain that can last for months or even a year. This period of time again depends on the patient's body's response.
The initial result for many patients is a feeling of numbness in the treated area. Initial results are usually a temporary response to treatment, meaning that the pain will decrease, but it won't go away for several weeks. Initial results will eliminate the worst of the pain. It is usually recommended to avoid strenuous or high-impact exercise for 48 hours after a session.
After this, you can resume your normal activities and exercise therapy regimen. Follow-up sessions will be booked and your response will be monitored. Most patients experience immediate pain relief after treatment. However, 2 to 4 hours after treatment, some people may feel some sensitivity in the treated area, which should be tolerable and not limiting. If the sequelae hurt too much, consult your therapist so that you can adjust the treatment dose.
Pain relief is usually felt within a few sessions, depending on the severity, and some people experience it almost instantly. It is commonly used for plantar fasciitis, shoulder tendonitis, tennis elbow, hip pain, and other soft tissue injuries. What's even more impressive is that 93% of the patients showed signs of scarring. X-rays show clear physical proof that real changes have occurred in the tissue.
Those improvements lasted a year; most patients continued to feel better and no major side effects were reported. The number of sessions needed depends on the severity of the condition. Many patients see improvement after just one or two treatments, but more serious or prolonged problems may require additional sessions. Most treatment plans include 3 to 6 sessions one week apart.
For most patients, the effects of shockwave therapy can last several months to years and, according to some studies, the results may be permanent. However, individual factors and regular maintenance can influence the duration of the effects.