In the days after shock wave therapy, you may experience swelling and redness in the treated area. This can make the pain worse, but it's indicative of the healing process, it's completely normal and will go away in a day or two. After the shock wave session, you will be able to move your body part normally. Many of our patients feel a significant reduction in pain after shock wave treatment.
However, usually 2 to 4 hours after the session, they experience some temporary pain and tenderness in the area. This rarely lasts longer than 24 hours and is a normal reaction to shock wave therapy. For most patients, this will not limit normal daily activities. Even if they don't feel pain, we recommend that patients refrain from intensive activities that stress the treated area for the next 48 hours after each treatment.
We recommend not using ice or anti-inflammatory drugs after shock wave therapy, as they would be counterproductive to the treatment, as they would favor the body's natural healing process. Depending on the intensity of the pain and the number of areas being treated, the results may take less time to appear; likewise, if you have more severe chronic pain, you may need a second treatment after 16 weeks for optimal results. For some patients, a year of treatment, usually 3 to 6 treatments, may be necessary for optimal results. Most patients experience some discomfort during shockwave therapy, but most patients don't find it painful.
The intensity of the discomfort depends in part on the person, on the injury and on whether the damaged tissues are close to a bone. Treatments given close to the bone are often more uncomfortable. As soon as the treatment is over, the discomfort usually goes away. Shockwave therapy, performed by qualified therapists, is a virtually risk-free and side-effect-free method for treating musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain.
Shockwave therapy or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is an innovative, cost-effective, evidence-based treatment for tendon pain (often referred to as tendinitis or tendinopathy) and other conditions throughout the body. After shock wave treatment, your physical therapist will recommend that you do not take any anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, as they may decrease the effect of the treatment. Bottom line: Shockwave therapy was first created in the 1970s and was initially used as a treatment method for kidney stones. Shockwave therapy is usually given by a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or by a sports coach with the supervision of a doctor.
First, shock waves act by desensitizing nerve endings, often immediately reducing pain. If a patient has significantly low bone density (osteoporosis), shock wave therapy could result in an overload fracture. Shockwave therapy uses a specialized device to deliver acoustic energy through the skin to the injured part of the body. Shockwave therapy is very safe and, in fact, has fewer contraindications than some better-known therapies, such as acupuncture and massage.
As part of your shock wave session, your physical therapist will also prescribe the right rehabilitation exercises for your condition to ensure optimal recovery. NICE has developed guidelines for the use of shockwaves in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis and calcific tendinopathy. If a tendon or ligament is almost completely torn, shockwave therapy could cause the remaining tissue to tear. Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment modality for a variety of lower and upper limb conditions.
Shockwave therapy (ESWT) involves transmitting short, intense sound waves to affected tissues, increasing blood flow, having an analgesic effect, and stimulating repair and regeneration. They have received specialized training in shock wave therapy and have extensive experience treating chronic and persistent tendon conditions.