Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain – Does it Work?
Shockwave therapy is one of those treatment plans that many of us mightn’t even think of when faced with an injury. But you might be surprised to find out just how effective an option it is, even for injuries or pain in an area as common as the shoulder. Despite how daunting the process may seem to someone unfamiliar; this form of therapy is safe, non-invasive, and incredibly beneficial. Read on as we discuss how shockwave therapy works, and why it may be a great choice to handle your shoulder pain.
This blog will include a breakdown of the basics of shockwave therapy and how it works, as well as what makes it a viable treatment option for shoulder injuries. If you’re interested in assessing whether shockwave therapy may be right for you, contact Northern Districts Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic today.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a treatment that uses radial shockwaves to target areas of pain, tightness, and scar tissue. Shockwaves are applied through the use of a freely moving applicator, allowing for specific problems areas to be targeted in order to demonstrate the best results. Essentially, the shockwaves produced can reboot your body’s healing process, breaking down the connection between your pain and the muscles themselves.
How Can Shockwave Therapy Help Pain?
Research into shockwave therapy has demonstrated great results in terms of reducing pain and helping the healing process for various injuries. Across a number of different muscular conditions and injuries, the stimulating process of administering radial shockwaves has been shown to activate muscles and increase circulation.
This treatment can be incredibly effective, particularly when paired with an exercise and rehabilitation plan. Typically, a minimum of three sessions will be needed to show significant improvement in pain or reduction of symptoms, though the length of ongoing treatment required depends entirely on the patient and the severity of the injury.
What Shoulder Injuries Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?
When it comes to shoulder pain, rotator cuff injuries can be one of the biggest conditions causing people trouble in their daily lives. Shockwave therapy has proven to be an effective method of treatment for some injuries related to rotator cuff syndrome. Ongoing shockwave treatments have demonstrated improved mobility, decreased pain, higher range of motion, and increased strength in the rotator cuff. Similar results have been shown throughout other shoulder injuries, such as calcific tendonitis.
Are There Any Side Effects?
There are some potential side effects or risks involved with receiving shockwave therapy, though they all tend to be minor, easy to manage, and short-lived. In the aftermath of treatments, patients may experience:
- Soreness or pain in the treated areas
- Mild inflammation
- Minor bruising
- Minor bleeding
Enquire Today to See if Shockwave Therapy is Right for You
You shouldn’t have to live with any sort of pain. If your shoulder is causing stress in your day to day life, investigating potential treatment plans is an essential step to take. Shockwave therapy is an evidence-based treatment plan that very well may be the key to alleviating your pain and getting your body back on track. The team at Northern Districts Physiotherapy is ready to assess your injury and see how we can best help you. To enquire about our shockwave therapy treatments, contact us today.
