Written by Jessi Cottrell, BSN, RN
As the number one cause of long-term disability, musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions that affect the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues. Often resulting in chronic pain and loss of function, musculoskeletal disorders are among the most disabling and costly conditions in the US. The number of people affected by these conditions is rapidly increasing because of population growth and aging.
If you or a loved one are struggling with chronic pain and loss of mobility, shockwave therapy may be just what you need to find true recovery. Also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), this non-invasive, drug-free, and non-surgical procedure uses acoustic waves to alleviate both acute and chronic pain, along with speeding up the healing process. Utilized in multiple health practices, including chiropractic, physiotherapy, sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy, shockwave therapy can also be done safely at home. Read on to learn more about this proven medical therapy so you can determine if it’s right for you.
Because it uses acoustic waves, the majority of people report that shockwave therapy feels like small pulses against the skin. While some folks may feel some discomfort during the session, most people do not find it painful. The level of discomfort or pain you may feel during a shockwave session is dependent upon your general health, the severity of the injury or condition being treated, and how close the treatment is to a bone (shockwave therapy applied near bones is typically going to be more uncomfortable). Treatment sessions only last from 1 to 20 minutes and any pain or discomfort usually stops as soon as the treatment is over.
Previous and ongoing research demonstrates that shockwave therapy is generally very safe, major side effects are extremely rare, and recovery is exceptionally minimal compared with that of surgical intervention. Side effects are typically limited to swelling, mild bruising, slight tenderness, numbness, and tingling in the treated area, and usually go away within a few days, similar to the effects from deep tissue massage. Because shockwave therapy works best on injuries and conditions that have been present for more than a few months, using it on a new injury could make it worse because the original inflammation is still there.
When the proper guidelines are followed, it is exceedingly rare for shockwave therapy to cause any long-term damage. Whether you are using it at home or going to a healthcare professional for this therapy, it is important for a physician to assess the injury or medical condition before shockwave treatment begins. When tendons or ligaments are almost fully torn, shockwave therapy might cause the remaining tissue to tear further. It may also cause a stress fracture for people with low bone density and severe osteoporosis. These complications can be avoided when proper precautions are utilized and the patient’s health history is taken into account.
Although shockwave therapy is well-tolerated and beneficial for most people, like any alternative therapy, it comes with some contraindications. Current research shows that shockwave therapy is unsuitable for pregnancy, infections or tumors at the site of treatment, blood-clotting disorders, and anyone wearing a pacemaker. In addition, it should not be directed at lung tissue, the brain, or nerves along the spine. As more research is conducted, guidelines for the safe use of shockwave therapy may change, as a cancer diagnosis and chronic infection are no longer considered contraindications. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you are unsure if this therapy is safe for you.
 | Oceanus PhysioLITE III - Shockwave Therapy Device View Product |
Offering clinical-strength shockwave therapy that’s also easy to administer, the Oceanus PhysioLITE III - Shockwave Therapy Device induces intracellular and extracellular reactions to relieve pain and attacks you know she told me in person assist with the healing and recovery of soft tissue. This innovative device generates deep, focused, penetrating pulses into the affected area to increase vasodilation and angiogenesis, driving the formation of new cells to replace damaged musculoskeletal tissues. Conveniently adjustable in both session length and frequency intensity, the PhysioLITE III also comes with a treatment guide that has over 25 therapy protocols, assuring customizable therapy to suit every user’s unique requirements.
This shockwave therapy device is compact and lightweight, ensuring it is highly portable and easy to transport for therapy wherever you need it. Its ergonomic design makes applications simple to control, while the user-friendly interface makes it easy to operate. The low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy the PhysioLITE III provides is often used as an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), along with alleviating pain and speeding the healing of injured ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues, such as plantar fasciitis. It comes complete with everything you need for safe, effective shockwave therapy, including ultrasound gel and an AC/DC adapter.
 | Lotuxs Shockwave Therapy Device View Product |
Perfect for healthcare professionals, the Lotuxs Shockwave Therapy Device was expressly designed with the multiple patient protocols of the busy healthcare practice in mind. Its electromagnetic shockwaves deliver fast relief from musculoskeletal pain, while they also target deeply into the tissues to promote rapid healing. Capable of several working modes from continuous to every 12 cycles, this shockwave therapy system enables customizable treatment to suit the needs of every patient. In addition, the frequency of the shockwaves is conveniently adjustable to meet a variety of personal therapy requirements.
Practitioners will also love the useful footswitch to help control the treatment so they can keep their eyes on their patients and their hands on the device while they make adjustments. The Lotusx shockwave therapy device also highlights an applicator handle that’s comfortable to maneuver and an easy-to-read display that’s easy to navigate for operation and treatment set-up. Useful for a wide range of beneficial medical effects, such as vasodilation, anti-inflammation, enhanced cell metabolism, the dissolution of calcified fibroblasts, and the stimulation of microcirculation, stem cells, and growth factors, this shockwave therapy device from Lotusx provides a safe, non-pharmaceutical, and non-invasive modality to optimize your patient care.
With disabling musculoskeletal conditions on the rise, it’s never been more important to address the chronic pain and loss of functionality that accompanies these disorders with proven, safe, and effective treatment. If traditional treatments haven’t cured your injury or condition, it may be time to try shockwave therapy.
As a non-invasive and drug-free modality, shockwave therapy has undergone extensive clinical studies and has virtually no side effects or risks for most patients. Effective for pain relief and for healing musculoskeletal disorders and injuries more quickly, shockwave therapy sessions may cause some temporary minor discomfort for some patients. But, when it’s used correctly, it may provide the relief and healing you’ve been seeking to be able to get back to participating more fully in life and all of the activities you love to do.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about shockwave therapy, and be sure to visit our Caregiver University blog to read more evidence-based articles to help you and your loved ones live your best life!
Jessi Cottrell is a Registered Nurse, copywriter, mother, and avid book reader. Her nurse background includes emergency medicine, psych & trauma, orthopedic surgery, addiction detox & rehabilitation, and school nursing. She has a passion for finding non-pharmacological methods to treat pain. This passion is fueled by her experience in addiction medicine as well as her own experiences with pain management after various surgeries.
