You have probably heard of the wonders of Electromagnetic Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). The non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical procedure delivers energy shockwaves to ailing tissues as treatment. However, you should be aware of the intricacies of a shockwave therapy session, the build-up that leads to it, the events that often ensue, and what your expectations should be if you intend to opt for the procedure. This article provides a guide to that effect. Dig in as we discuss some things to expect from a shockwave therapy session, among other related concepts!

Steps in A Shockwave Therapy Session.

Initial Consultation and Diagnosis.

The first step begins with a visit to the clinic. You will consult with a registered healthcare professional who extensively analyzes your condition and gives an accurate diagnosis. They also look for other details - such as contraindications - before arriving at the final deduction and decision. If a shockwave therapy session will suffice as treatment for you, you are let in on the details of the process and prepped on how treatment will proceed.

It would be best if you were offered alternative therapies and have the pros and cons of treatment explained, such as discomfort, time commitment, and cost. The healthcare provider should also provide some idea of the research or accepted clinical support for the application in your condition. If not, they should also explain why and you would only need to pay for a consultation afterward.

"Be wary of any healthcare provider offering only one therapy option. There is almost always more than one way to treat, and the decision should always be shared, based on an informed discussion”

-Matt Winter, Physiotherapist, Integrative Physio.

Identify The Treatment Area.

If you sailed through the first stage and are certified bound for treatment, identifying the area to be treated comes next. Generally, the treatment area is often the most painful area or close to it. For example, the heel area will be the treatment area for a case of Achilles tendinitis, while the sole is the area of treatment for plantar fasciitis. Some others include the inside of the elbow for golfer's elbow, the outside of the elbow for tennis elbow, the shoulder area for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, and below the knee for jumper's knee. These areas are examined to ascertain where the acoustic waves will be localized. Also, manual palpation helps pick up on subtle details that may come in handy during treatment.

Apply Gel.

Next, ultrasound gel is applied over the skin of the treatment area. Acoustic waves do not travel well through the air. The gel ensures that they quickly pass through the skin surface and reach their site to work at their full potential.

Initiate Shockwave Therapy.

This is the major highlight of the whole process. The instrument that generates and directs low-energy sound waves toward the treatment area is called a shockwave therapy device. A non-invasive probe is applied on the skin where the gel is applied. More times than often, radial shockwave does not require anaesthetic and studies show that using anaesthetic during shockwave may reduce its effectiveness.. The process usually lasts for five to fifteen minutes per session. Evidence shows that the use of anesthesia (drugs to numb the area) actually reduces the benefit of shockwave so at Integrative Physio we use Radial Shockwave that doesn’t require anesthetic.

Recovery and Results

Recovery is usually smooth after a shockwave therapy session, which is one of the positives of the procedure. As soon as you are done, you should be able to return home and resume your daily activities immediately. It is not uncommon to have a temporary increase in pain for 24-48 hours and this is nothing to worry about. We advise that it is best that you do not overwork the treated area with strenuous exercise for at least two days and avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications that could negate the positive effects of shockwave.

The risk of side effects is low. When they do occur, they are neither severe nor debilitating unless you were improperly screened to go ahead with the procedure in the first place. Some of the side effects include swelling or redness and a temporarily increased level of pain in the treated area.

Though some people experience immediate benefits, the results of the procedure often start to surface more obviously after three sessions. This typically takes place weeks after the first procedure. These results are generally long lasting. Factors in our experience influencing outcome include the patients specific condition and general health, use of sufficient energy during treatment, accuracy of application, ability of the patient to tolerate the session, adherence of the patient to activity modification, adherence to rehabilitative exercise. What does this mean? The process may require several weeks to reach its full potential under challenging situations. Also, the efficiency and rate of your body's natural healing process determine how soon you will recover.

How Many Shockwave Therapy Sessions Do You Need?

The total number of shockwave therapy sessions per person is not fixed. However, it does typically vary from four to ten sessions. The type of condition you would like to treat, the desired results, and the peculiarities of your body makeup all play a part in determining the ideal number of sessions you will need.

Who isn't a Suitable Candidate For Shockwave Therapy?

Although shockwave therapy is unarguably a safe procedure, it does have limitations. In some situations, opting for the procedure is not an ideal decision. Some of them include the following:

Do not go through the procedure if you have pacemakers installed or other types of implanted devices near the area to be treated.
If you are pregnant, you should steer clear of shockwave therapy

Circulatory disorders: It is not an ideal choice if you suffer from a blood clotting disorder.

If your nervous system is overexcitable, perhaps due to an underlying neurological disorder, steer clear of the procedure. However, this is often a discussion you should have with your healthcare provider.

It is noteworthy that shockwave therapy is not compatible with tumors and open wounds. This is not necessarily because the procedure will cause complications. Instead, it is because the treatment is not effective against these conditions.

Embrace Shockwave Therapy Today.

If you have to do a couple of sessions, it is best that you correctly space them apart for optimum results. Shockwave therapy sessions are most effective when spaced roughly a week apart.

Our team of seasoned professionals is always ready to alleviate your pressing health concerns and leave you feeling much better afterward. Visit Integrative Physio for consultation and a worthwhile experience today.

References

Auersperg V, Trieb K. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: an update. EFORT Open Rev. 2020 Oct 26;5(10):584-592. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190067. PMID: 33204500; PMCID: PMC7608508.
Dedes V, Stergioulas A, Kipreos G, Dede AM, Mitseas A, Panoutsopoulos GI. Effectiveness and Safety of Shockwave Therapy in Tendinopathies. Mater Sociomed. 2018 Jun;30(2):131-146. doi: 10.5455/msm.2018.30.141-146. PMID: 30061805; PMCID: PMC6029898.