Shockwave Therapy Treatment

Shockwave treatment is a non-invasive therapy method that can provide significant pain relief in as little as 1-2 sessions. In most instances, a series of 3-4 sessions is usually enough to fully resolve a patient's complaint. However, please note that each patient is different and those with chronic or severe issues may require more treatments. Generally, the protocol involves three treatments with a follow-up re-evaluation after six weeks. The treatments can be spaced between 72 hours and 15 days apart. Contraindications for shockwave therapy are few, but it should not be used over tumors, open wounds, on pregnant women, and certain other cases.

A typical shockwave treatment session begins with the patient being gowned or asked to wear appropriate clothing for the treatment area exposure. An ultrasound gel is applied to the area, unless a non-metallic treatment head is being used which might not require gel. The practitioner will then select the treatment head and adjust the settings to deliver the desired therapeutic effect. During this process, you may experience some level of discomfort or pain, which should diminish as the practitioner repeats the treatment over the same area. It's important to note that the practitioner will work within your individual pain tolerance levels.

The post-treatment experiences for patients undergoing shockwave therapy can vary significantly. A large number of patients report experiencing immediate relief from their symptoms following the procedure. However, it is also possible that some patients might feel varying degrees of pain or discomfort that could persist from a few days up to as long as two weeks. Mild side effects such as tingling, redness, aching, or bruising might occur, but these are rare and typically subside fairly quickly. In certain cases, patients may not observe any immediate improvement, but they shouldn't be discouraged. It is important to note that in some instances, patients have reported experiencing relief from their symptoms or a total resolution of their complaint even up to six months post-treatment. This delay in experiencing relief may be due to the body's healing speed and the nature of the condition being treated. Therefore, patient patience and adherence to post-treatment advice play a crucial role in the overall success of the shockwave therapy.

Yes, after undergoing shockwave therapy, certain recommendations are made to help enhance the healing process and increase comfort. Patients are generally advised to avoid applying ice, heat, or any type of topical creams to the treated area for a period of 12-24 hours unless they have been specifically prescribed by the practitioner. This is to ensure that the treatment area is not further irritated or inflamed. Hydration is key to promoting healing, hence patients are encouraged to drink plenty of water in the days following the treatment. This helps to flush out any toxins and keep the tissues healthy. In terms of combining therapies, shockwave therapy can be effectively used along with other therapies such as chiropractic care, massage, physiotherapy, or acupuncture to provide a more comprehensive treatment approach. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of shockwave therapy varies from person to person, and in some cases, patients have found that shockwave therapy alone is sufficient to provide relief from their symptoms. Overall, the patient's health status, treatment goals, and comfort levels should guide the post-treatment care plan.