Understanding Shockwave Therapy in Roseville, CA
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a non-invasive regenerative medical treatment. It can relieve chronic pain, inflammation, and injury and break apart painful scar tissue and adhesions. It is a safe, effective, and long-term alternative to surgery or other invasive treatment options. However, it may not be right for everyone. Here is your guide to understanding shockwave therapy in Roseville, CA, so that you can decide if it is the best option for you.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is administered in a fast, painless outpatient procedure that doesn't require anesthesia, pain medication, or incisions. Instead, your provider will use a device to deliver high-energy acoustic sound waves deep within your soft tissues. This stimulates natural healing processes in your body, jump-starting biological mechanisms that reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and scar tissue. Over time, it can kickstart stalled recovery efforts, facilitate the regeneration of tissues, overstimulate nerve endings to break chronic pain cycles, and improve mobility and range of motion in damaged and injured joints and limbs.
How Does Focused Shockwave Therapy Work?
​This treatment method relies on mechanotransduction. This is a biological healing process during which your cells convert physical, mechanical pressure into biochemical activity necessary to rebuild and regenerate tissue. The shockwave device administers sound waves that trigger healing mechanisms:
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Controlled Microtrauma – Acoustic sound waves create microscopic tears in tissues that kickstart inflammatory processes in the body that are necessary for healing.
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Neurovascularization – Pressure waves stimulate new blood vessel formation, aiding in the delivery of oxygenation to injured tissues.
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Collagen Synthesis – Your body jump-starts collagen production, which is necessary to begin rebuilding damaged tissues and ligaments.
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Pain Relief – The sound waves overstimulate nerve endings, blocking pain signals and deactivating and depleting Substance P, which is responsible for transmitting chronic pain.
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Dissolving Calcifications – The sound waves cause intense mechanical energy that can break down calcium deposits and scar tissue.
Conditions Treated With a Shockwave Therapy Device
Shockwave therapy can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, and it is particularly effective at rehabilitating chronic or slow-healing injuries, sports injuries, and repetitive stress or overuse injuries. Some of the most common injuries treated are:
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Achilles tendinopathy
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Delayed bone healing
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Golfer’s elbow
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Heel spurs
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Hip bursitis
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Non-union fractures
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Patellar tendinitis
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Plantar fasciitis
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Rotator cuff tendinitis
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Shin splints
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Stress fractures
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Tennis elbow
Exploring Shockwave Therapy Benefits
Shockwave therapy is safe, low-risk, non-invasive, and effective. Some of the biggest benefits are:
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Immediate and long-term pain relief
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Accelerated healing of chronic injuries
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Stimulated production of collagen and new blood vessels
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Reduction of calcifications, adhesions, and scar tissue
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Reduced inflammation and stiffness
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Minimal downtime or recovery period
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Can prevent the need for injections, surgery, or other invasive procedures
What to Expect Before, During, and After a Shockwave Therapy Procedure
Before your provider schedules shockwave treatment, you will undergo a thorough consultation and examination. They will review your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and habits, and past treatment attempts. They may take x-rays or recommend an MRI or CT scan. If you are a good candidate, they may perform the first treatment during that same visit.
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Your provider will apply a cooling gel to the treatment areas. They will then move a handheld probe over injured areas. You may feel tenderness or mild pain as the device moves across your skin, and you might hear a fast, rhythmic clicking noise. Each session lasts 10-15 minutes. When your provider is done, you can resume your normal routine. You should drink plenty of water and avoid intense exercise and heavy lifting. Do not take anti-inflammatory medications or use ice packs. Most people need three to six sessions spaced one week apart.
Understanding Potential Side Effects and Risks of Shockwave Therapy
This treatment method is non-invasive, non-surgical, and incredibly low risk. However, like any medical treatment, there is the potential for complications or side effects:
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Mild redness
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Mild swelling
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Mild bruising
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Localized tenderness
​FAQs About Shockwave Therapy
​This treatment method relies on mechanotransduction. This is a biological healing process during which your cells convert physical, mechanical pressure into biochemical activity necessary to rebuild and regenerate tissue. The shockwave device administers sound waves that trigger healing mechanisms:
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
Some people experience mild tenderness and discomfort as the device presses against painful areas of their body. However, this feeling only lasts as long as the device is there. When the device is removed, the pain will go away.
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How long does shockwave therapy take?
A single session takes 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area. Most people need three to six treatments over a period of two months, though some may need eight to 12 for complex or severe injuries or chronic conditions.
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Can I combine shockwave with other chiropractic therapies?
Yes, Dr. Boley typically recommends combining shockwave with other chiropractic therapies. This accelerates healing, maximizes results, and treats concurrent symptoms and conditions together. He may combine shockwave with chiropractic adjustments, stemwave, SFMA, laser therapy, or decompression therapy.
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Who isn’t a good candidate for shockwave?
You might not be a good candidate if you are pregnant, have an active tumor or malignancy at the treatment site, have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis or a bleeding disorder, have an open wound or skin infection, or have a cardiac pacemaker.