TREATMENT OVERVIEW
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a modern, non-invasive therapy that uses focused acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues. It is a highly effective treatment for chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendinopathy, helping to restart your body's natural repair process and provide lasting pain relief without needles or surgery.
PROCEDURE DETAILS
An ESWT session is a quick and simple in-office procedure. First, your physician will precisely locate the area of maximum tenderness, sometimes using ultrasound imaging to pinpoint the damaged tissue that requires treatment.
A layer of coupling gel is applied to your skin over the treatment area. This gel helps to efficiently transmit the acoustic waves from the device into your body. The ESWT applicator is then gently pressed against your skin.
The device is activated, delivering a series of high-energy acoustic pulses into the targeted tissue. You will hear a repetitive clicking sound and feel a strong tapping or thumping sensation. The intensity of the waves can be adjusted for your comfort. A typical session is completed in about 15 minutes.
TREATMENT ADVANTAGES
ESWT offers a powerful, evidence-based solution for chronic tendon and soft tissue injuries that have resisted traditional therapies, providing a way to heal without invasive procedures.
This therapy is performed entirely outside the body. There are no needles, no incisions, no anesthesia, and virtually no risk of infection.
The acoustic waves create a biological response that increases blood flow, releases growth factors, and stimulates cellular repair at the site of injury.
ESWT can effectively break down calcifications and painful scar tissue in chronic tendinopathies, helping to restore the tissue's normal function and flexibility.
By helping to heal the underlying problem, ESWT can provide long-lasting pain relief without the need for steroid injections or long-term oral pain medications.
Each treatment session is fast, typically lasting only 15-20 minutes, and you can return to your normal daily activities immediately afterward.
ESWT is an evidence-based treatment with a high success rate for a wide range of chronic conditions, including plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendinopathy.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is an extremely safe, non-invasive procedure. Side effects are typically mild, temporary, and a sign that a healing response has been triggered in the tissue.
Important: The mild soreness that can occur after a session is a positive sign that the acoustic waves have successfully stimulated a healing response in the targeted tissue.
PREPARATION GUIDE
Preparation for ESWT is very simple, as the procedure is completely non-invasive. However, there are a few important guidelines to follow.
Your initial visit will confirm that ESWT is the right treatment for your specific condition and rule out any contraindications.
You may be asked to stop taking NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen) for a short period before your sessions, as they can interfere with the healing process.
Since there is no sedation or anesthesia, you can eat and drink normally before your appointment and drive yourself home.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area.
RECOVERY GUIDE
Recovery is simple and involves a gradual return to activity as your body heals. The full benefits of the therapy develop over time.
You can return to most normal daily activities right away. It is generally recommended to avoid strenuous or high-impact activities for 48 hours to allow the healing process to begin.
A typical course involves 3-5 sessions, spaced about a week apart. It is important to complete the full course to achieve the best results as the healing effect is cumulative.
Your body's healing process is actively underway. You may start to notice a gradual decrease in your pain and an improvement in function during this time.
The full benefits of ESWT are often realized 6 to 12 weeks after your final treatment session as your tissue continues to remodel and repair itself. A follow-up visit will assess your outcome.
Please don't hesitate to reach out and request an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you, addressing your concerns, and working together to enhance your quality of life.