Chronic soft-tissue pain can make everyday movement frustrating, especially when an injury seems to linger despite rest and time. For certain tendon and other musculoskeletal conditions, acoustic shockwave therapy may be used as a noninvasive treatment option to help reduce pain and improve function. At Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, this technology can be incorporated into a broader rehabilitation plan when it is appropriate for the patient’s condition.
What Is Acoustic Shockwave Therapy?
Acoustic shockwave therapy is a noninvasive treatment that delivers controlled acoustic pressure waves to targeted areas of the body.
The treatment is commonly used for certain chronic musculoskeletal and tendon-related conditions. Rather than using surgery or injections, the applicator is placed against the skin over the affected area while acoustic pulses are delivered into the tissues.
Treatment should begin with an evaluation because not every type of pain or injury is appropriate for shockwave therapy.
What Types of Problems May Be Treated?
Acoustic shockwave therapy may be considered for certain persistent soft-tissue and tendon conditions, depending on the patient’s diagnosis and clinical findings.
These may include problems involving areas such as:
- Shoulder tendons
- Elbow tendons
- Patellar tendon around the knee
- Achilles tendon
- Plantar fascia of the foot
- Other appropriate chronic tendon or soft-tissue conditions
The location of pain alone doesn’t determine whether someone is a candidate. Understanding what is actually causing the symptoms is an important first step.
What Does Treatment Feel Like?
During treatment, a clinician applies the shockwave device to the targeted area. Patients typically feel repeated tapping or pulsing sensations as the acoustic energy is delivered.
The intensity can often be adjusted according to the treatment area and the patient’s tolerance. Some areas may be sensitive during treatment, particularly when the tissue is already irritated.
One advantage is that treatment is performed without an incision, and patients generally do not require the type of recovery associated with a surgical procedure.
Shockwave Therapy Isn’t a Stand-Alone Solution for Every Injury
Technology can be useful, but treating chronic pain should involve more than simply applying a machine to the painful area.
If weakness, limited mobility, repetitive stress, poor movement mechanics, or reduced functional capacity are contributing to the problem, those issues may also need to be addressed.
Depending on the patient’s condition, acoustic shockwave therapy may be combined with physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, stretching, strengthening, mobility work, manual therapy, or other appropriate rehabilitation techniques.
This allows treatment to focus not only on symptoms but also on restoring function.
When Should Chronic Pain Be Evaluated?
Pain that continues for weeks or months deserves attention, particularly when it begins interfering with walking, exercising, working, lifting, reaching, sleeping, or other normal activities.
Persistent pain can have many causes, and some conditions require a different approach altogether. Significant swelling, a recent major injury, suspected fracture, infection, progressive weakness, or other concerning symptoms should be appropriately evaluated before beginning treatment.
A Noninvasive Option for the Right Patient
At Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, our goal is to determine which treatments make sense for the individual patient rather than assuming one therapy is appropriate for everyone.
For selected patients with chronic tendon or soft-tissue problems, acoustic shockwave therapy may provide another noninvasive option within an individualized rehabilitation program.
Our Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale teams can evaluate your symptoms, functional limitations, and treatment goals to determine an appropriate course of care.