How Long Do the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy Last?

Most people who receive shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction usually see benefits within one to three months. Initial results can be dramatic, but there is still not enough research and long-term data to determine how long the treatment might last, if the effects of the treatment could go away, or if additional treatment will be needed later on. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that involves the administration of shock waves to injured soft tissue to reduce pain and promote healing. It is often used to treat chronic tendinopathy, a condition characterized by localized pain and pathological changes in a tendon that affects both athletes and non-athletes.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of ESWT for the treatment of plantar fasciopathy. According to Dr. Finnoff, several high-quality randomized clinical trials have provided substantial evidence that ESWT is a non-invasive, safe and effective option for treating tendinopathy throughout the musculoskeletal system. This approach meets the need of athletes whose injuries do not respond to first-line treatments, such as rest, ice, therapeutic exercise, orthopedic appliances and orthopedic appliances, but who are not yet ready to consider more invasive or surgical options.

While usually successful, all of these more invasive therapies require time off and can effectively end an athlete's season. The acoustic energy used in this treatment stimulates greater blood flow to areas of the body that benefit by improving the body's natural regenerative abilities. Shockwave therapy is generally recommended for patients who don't respond well to medications or who don't want more invasive treatments. It is important to distinguish shock wave therapy from radio wave therapy, which is commonly advertised as a non-invasive treatment for erectile dysfunction available in medical and non-medical centers.

The shock wave device used for this treatment is a portable tool that generates sound wave energy to send it through the body. This treatment has several benefits that are attractive to patients, such as the high success and satisfaction rates of clinical trials and the general improvement in daily life and mobility. Shockwave therapy helps the body dissolve fibrous scar tissue and treat this condition, helping to restore a man's sex life. Since shock wave therapy is a fairly new treatment for erectile dysfunction that isn't covered by insurance plans, your urologist may first recommend other treatment options for erectile dysfunction.

Overall, clinical studies have shown that shockwave therapy is effective and safe, but more research is needed to identify potential risks and the best treatment protocols for a person with erectile dysfunction. Shockwave therapy may be a viable option for men who haven't gotten the results they wanted with other types of treatments for erectile dysfunction. Low-intensity shock wave therapy (Li-SWT) induces cellular microtrauma, which in turn stimulates the release of angiogenic factors with subsequent neovascularization of the treated tissue. When Li-SWT is applied to an organ, shock waves interact with target tissues and induce a cascade of biological reactions that stimulate the release of growth factors, which in turn triggers tissue neovascularization with a subsequent improvement in blood supply.

Low-intensity shock waves have also been shown to grow new blood vessels and improve blood flow in the penis, which is essential for erections.