Chronic pain is a part of life for millions of American adults. As of 2023, nearly a fourth of American adults were dealing with some level of musculoskeletal chronic pain, with nearly 10% reporting that chronic pain was significantly affecting their lives. Additionally, clinicians are noting with concern that the number of people dealing with this kind of pain is not falling, but rising.
Treatments for chronic pain include surgery, medication, and longer-term options like physical therapy. However, both surgeries and medications carry risks and side effects without the certainty of improving health or quality of life.
Currently, patients are looking for cost-effective and non-invasive options alternatives to pricey surgeries, injections, and drugs. Shockwave therapy is becoming the answer to that search.
What is Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical approach to treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. It utilizes acoustic waves to create micro-traumas within affected tissues, stimulating the body’s healing process. The waves can also reduce the sensitivity of affected neural pathways, reducing the pain signals sent to the brain. Both of these factors contribute to increased tissue repair and long-term pain reduction.
There are two kinds of shockwave therapy, Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (rESWT) and Focused Shockwave Therapy (FST). rESWT focuses on more superficial treatment for larger surface areas and soft tissue treatment. The treatment focuses on increasing circulation to stimulate the body’s healing process.
However, Rockwell Physicians is using focused shockwave therapy through the StemWave platform for a more precise approach. The treatment targets specific points in the body by penetrating more deeply into the muscles, up to 12 cm. Conditions that benefit from this treatment range from stress fractures, damaged tendons, calcific tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, arthritic joint pain, and even neuropathy.
How Effective Is Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing pain for a wide variety of conditions and has a very low risk of complications when properly implemented, making it a highly versatile treatment option. After use, patients have reported experiencing reduced pain and even heightened mobility after regular sessions of shockwave therapy.
The number and frequency of sessions will vary from patient to patient but typically require 8-10 sessions. This approach allows the tissues to undergo repair and regeneration for long-lasting results rather than a quick fix. While patients may experience some soreness of the treatment area, these effects generally fade shortly after treatment.
Shockwave therapy is not appropriate for all pain situations and is usually not a complete solution. However, combining shockwave therapy with practices such as physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and medical massage has been observed to dramatically improve their health and overall quality of life.
Rockwell Physicians and Shockwave Therapy
Rockwell Physicians is incorporating the StemWave platform into our services to provide true focal shockwave therapy treatments to our patients.
The device features a continuum of low energy levels, allowing the provider to customize the energy to target problem areas and adjust based on patient feedback. Additionally, we can combine shockwave therapy with other treatments, such as medical massage, to produce optimum outcomes for patients.
Rockwell Physicians has always sought to approach healthcare holistically. By incorporating shockwave therapy into our services, we offer patients an effective alternative to traditional treatments for pain management. We want to work with you with the intention of moving you from mere pain control to pain relief. Making shockwave therapy part of your overall health and wellness journey
Final Thoughts
Chronic pain can affect every part of your life, whether it is a recent injury or an issue that you have dealt with for years. With rates of chronic pain rising, clinicians and patients have been looking to alternative methods for pain relief. StemWave technology presents a path to relief not limited to surgeries or medication, providing a way that genuinely improves overall health and well-being.
So, if you have been dealing with chronic pain for far longer than you have wanted to, contact Rockwell Physicians today. Shockwave therapy may be exactly the answer you have been looking for.