Our Brooksville Podiatrist Explains How Shockwave Therapy Can Provide Relief From Pain and Promote Healing
Are you looking for relief from persistent foot pain that disrupts your daily life? Chapel Podiatry has an innovative solution to consider. Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT), extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), or radial shockwave therapy (RSWT), is an advanced, non-invasive treatment that targets the root cause of your pain and promotes natural healing. It provides relief from pain without the need for surgery. Take the next step towards a pain-free future by scheduling an appointment with our Brooksville podiatrist to learn if shockwave therapy is the right choice for you.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
There is no reason to be intimidated by shockwave therapy. Despite the name, no electric shock is applied to your skin. Instead, acoustic sound waves are generated outside the body to penetrate the skin and target injured areas. Once the waves reach the targeted area, they trigger an inflammatory response to signal the body to increase blood flow to the affected region.
Enhanced blood flow and nutrient delivery promote the body's natural healing process by aiding in the formation of new blood vessels. These new blood vessels improve circulation in the injured area, further supporting tissue regeneration and reducing pain and inflammation. Over time, this can lead to significant improvements in your mobility and function and a decrease in chronic pain symptoms.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a solution to consider if you are experiencing chronic pain that has not responded to traditional treatments such as pain medication, injections, orthotics, and physical therapy. Reigniting the healing process can effectively address pain and inflammation, providing relief for various foot and ankle problems.
The advantages of shockwave therapy include:
- Non-invasive treatment. Shockwave therapy provides a non-surgical approach to pain relief and the restoration of mobility. There are no incisions, stitches, or scars involved, reducing the risk of complications associated with surgical procedures.
- No downtime. Unlike surgery or more invasive procedures, shockwave therapy requires no downtime, allowing you to continue your routines without interruption.
- Effective pain reduction. Shockwave therapy has been proven to reduce pain in various conditions significantly. Targeting the source of pain helps improve the quality of life for those suffering from chronic discomfort.
- Enhanced healing. This therapy stimulates the body's natural healing processes, potentially accelerating recovery times. By increasing blood flow and promoting tissue regeneration, shockwave therapy aids in faster and more effective healing of injuries.
- Minimally disruptive. Since shockwave therapy is administered in short sessions, typically less than 30 minutes, it won’t disrupt your schedule. This makes shockwave therapy a convenient treatment option if you live a busy lifestyle.
- Safe and well-tolerated. Shockwave therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects. Most patients report only experiencing mild discomfort during the procedure, which subsides shortly after treatment.
Types of Conditions Treated With Shockwave Therapy at Our Brooksville Office
Shockwave therapy can provide relief from chronic pain that has not responded well to conventional treatments. Some of the conditions we treat at our Brooksville office using shockwave therapy include:
- Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis, often seen in runners, is caused by overuse. It can cause pain in the back of the leg and above the heel. Shockwave therapy can reduce inflammation in the Achilles tendon to promote healing.
- Ankle sprains. Shockwave therapy can alleviate soreness, bruising, and swelling resulting from ankle sprains and help enhance your recovery.
- Chronic heel pain. Persistent heel pain can often have no identifiable cause. Shockwave therapy can help to significantly reduce heel pain.
- Plantar fasciitis. Characterized by inflammation along the bottom of the foot, plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain, especially when taking your first steps in the morning or after rest. Shockwave therapy can help alleviate this pain and reduce inflammation in the bottom of your foot.
- Nonhealing fractures. Sometimes, fractures do not heal on their own. If you have a non-healing fracture in your foot or ankle, shockwave therapy can stimulate the healing process and promote recovery.
- Stress fractures. Shockwave therapy accelerates the healing process of stress fractures, which are small cracks in the bone resulting from repetitive stress. This non-invasive treatment stimulates blood flow and enhances the body's natural repair mechanisms, leading to faster recovery and reduced pain.