Shock Wave Therapy
One of the non-surgical physical therapy methods uses sound waves that produce low-energy pneumatic vibrations. A shock wave device is directed at the site of muscle injury and connective tissue to accelerate its recovery and treatment.
Because musculoskeletal and muscular tissue problems cause unbearable pain to patients, Tadawi Medical Center offers shock wave therapy using high-energy sound pulses that stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanism and speed up the healing process by gradually regenerating damaged tissues.
How does shock wave therapy work?
- After the patient goes to the shockwave clinic, the doctor determines the area of pain to be treated using a shock wave device.
- The medical gel is applied to the site of pain to transmit shock waves efficiently, easily, and without feeling pain.
- Directing the shocks and vibrations of the shock wave device on the area of pain in circular motions.
What does shock wave therapy do?
Shockwave treatment is used to treat many musculoskeletal diseases, including:
1. Plantar fasciitis
Shock wave therapy treats plantar fasciitis, chronic joint disorders, arches of the foot and heel spur through vibrations generated by a shock wave device.
2. Tennis elbow
An ideal option for tennis players’ injuries caused by hypermobility in the elbow area as a shock wave device is directed over the area of pain to help move the affected tendons in the elbow.
3. Kidney stones
Shockwave treatment effectively breaks up large kidney stones that cannot be excreted from the urinary tract into small parts that are easy to get rid of.
4. Tendinopathy
Patients with foot tendons due to overload need shock wave therapy and electromagnetic pulses to treat inflammation, tighten the tendons, and relieve pain.
5. Hip pain
Shock wave therapy enhances the healing process of cartilage erosion in the hip area or femur fracture and works to reduce inflammation and pain and improve femoral head bone necrosis.
6. Shoulder problems
Shock wave therapy is the perfect solution and alternative to painful surgeries. It is used to get rid of tendonitis in the shoulder caused by calcifications or collisions and to reduce pain significantly.
How painful is shock treatment?
Shock wave therapy is a safe treatment that does not cause serious effects on the patient. It is used to relieve the patient’s pain and enhance the treatment of chronic and painful diseases.
It may be accompanied by discomfort during the session, but it does not last long. The patient can take regular painkillers to reduce the feeling of discomfort.
Can shockwave therapy be harmful?
Shock wave therapy takes only 5 minutes and does not cause any serious problems. The side effects of shockwave treatment are:
- The feeling of pain, the appearance of bruises, minor swelling, and a feeling of numbness in the affected area.
- The appearance of blood in the urine and obstruction of the ureter in the case of using shock wave therapy to break up kidney stones.
- In some cases, the patient may develop a high temperature and chills due to infections.
If there are any strange symptoms, the doctor should be reviewed immediately and consulted to obtain the appropriate treatment.
Who should not get shockwave therapy?
- Patients have nerve problems in the areas of pain.
- Patients who suffer from diseases of the veins and arteries in the places of injury.
- Patients who have had metal implants in place using shock wave therapy.
- Patients are taking blood-thinning medications that affect blood clotting.
- Patients with open bone fractures.
- Pregnant and lactating women.
How many sessions of shockwave therapy do you need?
Most cases need (3-5) sessions for about 10 days, and the patient will feel improvement from the first session. The number of shockwave sessions depends on the patient’s condition and the extent of tissue response to shockwave treatment.
What is the success rate of shockwave therapy?
Experience has shown that over 80% of patients got rid of their symptoms using shock wave therapy after 3 sessions at different intervals.
What is shock wave therapy’s role in physiotherapy?
Shockwave therapy is used alongside other physiotherapy methods and is an adjunct to manual therapy techniques and other physiotherapy exercises. Shock wave therapy improves the patient’s physical movement and enables him to recover quickly.
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