Every decision in life comes with pros and cons, or at least benefits and risks. Do I want to watch another episode? Or should I go to bed? Do I finish that piece of cake?
The same applies to medical procedures and treatments, including shockwave therapy.
It’s certainly not the best, most safe and effective treatment we have, but it’s still a great option! The pros will outweigh the cons for most people.
However, each person we treat is an individual with their own unique situation and goals. Shockwave therapy may be the best option for you but not for another person.
How do you determine if shockwave therapy might be right for you? Let’s first give you a quick overview and then discuss the pros and cons.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy, which is basically a non-invasive treatment, uses pulses or energy (or “shockwaves”) to stimulate a healing response in soft tissue that has been damaged and is experiencing chronic pain.
The shockwaves are created by a small machine and travel through a cable and an application wand to reach your damaged tissues. These shockwaves can increase metabolism, boost collagen production, release signaling chemicals and other natural biological processes to fight inflammation and speed up tissue regeneration.
Shockwave therapy can be used to treat chronic inflammatory pain.
It is not invasive.
Shockwave therapy doesn’t require incisions. The shockwaves are delivered by skin contact. In fact, that’s why the procedure is often more fully known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy–extracorporeal means “outside the body.”
It is a compelling alternative to surgery.
It is mostly drug-free.
To dull the pain of the shockwaves, we might use local anesthetics during the procedure. The procedure is painless for most patients. You can adjust the intensity if you feel uncomfortable.
The procedure does not include any medication or drug of any kind. There are no steroid injections or prescriptions. Your body is able to handle the healing processes shockwave therapy stimulates. Only the shockwaves are needed to “kickstart” the process.
There is never any downtime.
Shockwave therapy near me is not like surgery in that there is no downtime. After the treatment is completed, you can walk out of our office. It usually takes between 15-20 and 30 minutes. The treatment will not interfere with your daily activities.
It is safe.
Shockwave therapy can be used safely. Although minor side effects such as bruising and swelling may occur for a few days, major side effects are rare.
It can accelerate the healing process.
Shockwave therapy is often referred to as an alternative to surgery. Many people recommend shockwave therapy in cases where other conservative treatments, such as stretching, orthotics and rest, are not effective. Shockwave therapy is often recommended in situations where other conservative treatments (like stretching, orthotics, rest, etc.) do not provide sufficient results. Shockwave therapy is a great option to get rid of chronic pain and “over the hump”.
However, shockwave therapy can be used earlier than traditional conservative treatments to reduce healing time and speed up recovery. This option is attractive for athletes and those who are physically challenged.
Cons of Shockwave Therapy
Your insurance may not cover it.
Although shockwave therapy was approved by the FDA, and has been proven safe and effective in numerous research studies, some insurers have not been quick to cover it.
It’s not impossible for most patients to afford it. Even if they have to pay out of pocket, however, we make every effort to ensure that this treatment is affordable for them. It is often a cheaper option than surgery.
We understand that money is a major consideration for many families. You may wish to delay the procedure until all options are exhausted.
It is possible that you will need to make several appointments.
Shockwave therapy can take 2-3 sessions, but more is necessary if the injury is severe. These appointments are quick and simple, usually lasting between 15-20 minutes to an hour. However, it is slightly more difficult for busy people than single-appointment treatments such as steroid injections.
However, shockwave actually causes tissue healing. Although steroid injections can provide pain relief for several months, they only treat symptoms and are temporary. Shockwave may be the better choice, but it is likely to take less time overall.
It’s not for everyone.
While shockwave therapy is safe for most patients, there are some situations in which we don’t recommend it. These are the main contraindications:
Pregnancy
Some heart conditions and pacemakers
Prescriptions that inhibit blood clotting
We may also recommend shockwave therapy depending on your severity.
