As an athlete or fitness enthusiast, you know how frustrating it can be when an injury or chronic pain limits your ability to perform at your best. Pain can interfere with your training schedule, your mental and emotional well-being, and your overall quality of life.
Fortunately, there are many innovative treatments available that can help you manage pain and recover faster.
One such treatment is Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Therapy (EPAT). This non-invasive treatment has been used for decades to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, and it can be particularly beneficial for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are looking for a fast, effective, and non-surgical solution to their pain.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy is handheld device that delivers high-energy acoustic waves through tissue to accelerate the body's natural healing process and reduce pain by:
- promoting blood flow
- releases growth factors
- activates stem cells
The net effect is reducing inflammation, and stimulating the growth of new tissue.
Shockwave Therapy has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, rotator cuff issues, tennis elbow, and chronic back pain.
What to expect during a Shockwave Therapy Session:
A Shockwave Therapy session typically lasts about 15 minutes, which makes scheduling easier for patients with a busy schedule. Patients typically require multiple sessions, depending on the severity of their condition.
The recommendation is 10 sessions (1x a week) with results noted within the first 3-6 sessions.
During the treatment, a therapist will apply a gel to the affected area, and then use a hand-held device to deliver the shockwaves.
The treatment can be uncomfortable, and patients may experience some pain or discomfort during the session. However, most patients find the treatment tolerable, and any discomfort usually subsides after the session.
Who would benefit most from using Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy can be particularly beneficial for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are looking for a fast, effective, and non-surgical solution to their pain. While optimal benefits are seen when combined with our comprehensive physiotherapy plan of care, shockwave is a great option as part of our ReGen Physio Program. It can help individuals recover from injuries more quickly, and it can be an effective alternative to surgery for certain conditions.
Additionally, Shockwave Therapy is non-invasive, which means there is no downtime, and patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
At Next Level Physio, our ReGen Physio Program includes shockwave along with cupping, dry needling, blood flow restriction therapy, and cold laser.
Contact us at Bergen County & Woodcliff Lake, NJ Center, and schedule an appointment to determine if you’re the right candidate for shockwave therapy within our ReGen Physio Program.
References:
American Physical Therapy Association. (2018). Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Therapy (EPAT) for Musculoskeletal