Most decisions in life have pros and cons or, at the very minimum, risks and benefits. Should I continue to watch the episode or go to sleep? What should I do with the last piece?
It is the same for medical treatments and procedures such as shockwave therapy.
This is not to say it’s not one of the best, safest, most effective treatments we have. It absolutely is! The cons will be outweighed by the benefits for most people.
Each person we treat, however, is an individual with a unique situation and their own goals. Although shockwave therapy near me might be the best for you, it may not work for someone else.
How can you decide if shockwave treatment is right for your needs? Let’s give you an overview of what shockwave therapy is and then we will discuss some of its main advantages and disadvantages.
What is shockwave treatment?
Shockwave therapy can be described as a non-invasive therapy that uses pulses, or “shockwaves,” of energy to activate a healing response for soft tissues in chronic pain.
The waves are generated using a small machine. They travel through a wire and an applicator wad and reach the tissues. These shockwaves stimulate metabolism and boost collagen production. They also release signaling chemicals.
For many people, shockwave therapy may be an alternative to surgery.
It’s non-invasive.
Shockwave therapy doesn’t require incisions. The pulses can be delivered to the skin through skin contact. In fact, that’s why the procedure is often more fully known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy–extracorporeal means “outside the body.”
This alone makes it an attractive alternative to a surgery.
It is mostly non-drug.
The shockwave procedure may include local anesthesia to lessen the effects of the vibrations. Most patients don’t feel any pain and can adjust the intensity of the shockwave if they do.
The procedure doesn’t include any medications. There are not steroid injections, prescriptions, or any other drugs used in the procedure. Your body can manage the healing processes that shockwave treatment stimulates. Only the shockwaves “kick-start” the process.
There is never a downtime
The shockwave therapy procedure is completely painless and does not require any downtime. Once you have arrived at our office, the treatment usually takes only 15-20 minutes. After that, you are free to walk out. It will not affect your ability to continue with daily life or activities you had before the appointment.
It is safe.
Shockwave therapy is very safe. For a few days, minor side effects such mild swelling, bruising, and aches may be present. However, serious side effects are very rare.
It can help speed up the healing process.
Many people talk about shockwave therapy being an alternative to surgery. In situations where traditional conservative treatments like stretching, orthotics or rest are ineffective, shockwave therapy may be recommended. Unfortunately, the results of conventional treatments such as stretching, orthotics, and resting do not produce satisfactory results. Shockwave therapy can often help to “get over the hump” and eventually eliminate chronic pain completely so that surgery is not necessary.
To speed up the healing process and reduce recovery time, shockwave therapy may be included earlier. This option is ideal for athletes or those with physically demanding jobs who want to return to full exercise as quickly as possible.
Cons of Shockwave Therapy
It might not be covered under your insurance.
Although shockwave therapy has been approved and shown to be safe and effective by numerous research studies through the FDA, most insurers are slow to cover the procedure.
However, it’s not out of reach for everyone. Even though patients pay out-of-pocket, we do our best to make sure that this is an affordable treatment option. Surgery is more expensive than this treatment.
But, we understand that money can be a significant consideration for families. So, it’s a good idea to wait to have all your options exhausted.
You might need several appointments.
For shockwave therapy, a typical treatment may take 2 sessions. However, serious injuries might require more. These appointments are usually short and straightforward, lasting only 15-20 minutes. However, this is slightly more convenient for people who work during the day than single-appointment treatments.
The upside to shockwave is that it actually triggers healing in your tissues. Although it may provide some relief for pain, it is only temporary. Long-term, shockwave may prove to be a more effective choice than other options and take less time.
It’s not right for everyone.
Although shockwave therapy can be used safely for the vast majority, there are some instances when it is not recommended. The following are the main contraindications.
Pregnancy
Certain heart conditions, pacemakers
Prescriptions that prevent blood clotting
Also, depending on severity of your symptoms, shockwave therapy may be recommended for neuropathy or hypersensitivity.