Discover how shockwave therapy provides effective, non-invasive relief for shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, and calcific tendonitis. Learn how this treatment works to reduce pain, boost healing, and improve mobility.
Shoulder pain can be really disruptive, making everyday activities and sports difficult. Whether it’s from a rotator cuff injury, tendonitis, or conditions like calcific tendonitis (where calcium builds up in the shoulder), finding the right treatment can be tough. One option that’s gaining attention is shockwave therapy, a non-invasive treatment that could help relieve shoulder pain. But what exactly is shockwave therapy, and how does it work? Let’s break it down.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), is a non- surgical treatment that uses sound waves to help heal damaged tissues. It works by sending strong sound waves to a specific area of the body, which improves blood flow, reduces swelling, and encourages the tissue to repair itself. While it can be used to treat many muscle and joint problems, it’s especially helpful for shoulder pain caused by soft tissue injuries.
Shockwave therapy helps heal tissues that are hard to treat with regular methods. For shoulder pain, this includes problems like rotator cuff injuries, calcific tendonitis (calcium buildup), or frozen shoulder. Here’s how it works:
1. Pain Relief: The sound waves help reduce pain by blocking pain signals and boosting the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins).
2. Better Blood Flow: The shockwaves improve blood circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area, speeding up healing.
3. Collagen Production: The shockwaves also encourage the body to make more collagen, which helps repair tendons and muscles.
4. Breaking Down Calcium: If there’s calcium buildup in the shoulder (like with calcific tendonitis), shockwave therapy helps break it down, easing pain and improving movement.
5. Improved Mobility: By reducing swelling and helping tissues heal, shockwave therapy can make it easier to move your shoulder and reduce stiffness.
Shockwave therapy offers numerous advantages over traditional treatments like medication or surgery. Here are some of the main advantages:
Non-Invasive: Unlike surgery, shockwave therapy doesn’t require cuts or anesthesia, making it safer and easier for many patients.
Quick Recovery: Most people can get back to their normal activities soon after treatment. You might feel some mild soreness, but it doesn’t last long, and you won’t need a long recovery like with surgery.
Less Need for Medications: Shockwave therapy treats the root cause of pain, so you may not need as many pain medications, which can lead to harmful side effects.
Faster Healing: It helps speed up the healing process and reduce inflammation, so you can recover more quickly than with other treatments like physical therapy or steroid shots.
Great for Chronic Pain: If you’ve had long-term shoulder pain that hasn’t improved with other treatments, shockwave therapy can be a game-changer.
During a shockwave therapy session, a device that sends out strong sound waves is placed on your affected shoulder. The therapist will move the device over the area, and you may feel some mild to moderate discomfort as the waves go deep into the tissue. Each session usually lasts around 10 to 20 minutes, and many patients feel a lot of relief after a few sessions. To get the best results, you may need 3 to 5 treatments, spaced about a week apart. Your doctor will decide how many sessions you need based on how severe your condition is and your personal situation.
Conclusion
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain and want a treatment that’s effective and doesn’t require surgery, shockwave therapy might be a good choice. It can help reduce pain, speed up healing, and improve movement, making it a great alternative to surgery or long-term medication. If you’re struggling with shoulder pain, talk to your doctor or a therapist to see if shockwave therapy could work for you.
