Shockwave Therapy for Arthritis

Arthritis, a broad term encompassing conditions characterized by joint inflammation and pain, affects millions of people worldwide, spanning various age groups and lifestyles. This often debilitating condition can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life. SoftWave therapy, an FDA-approved form of broad-focused shockwave therapy, presents an innovative approach to managing arthritis. This non-invasive treatment method harnesses the power of sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, thereby alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and enhancing joint mobility, providing a beacon of hope for those grappling with arthritis.

This article will explore:

Causes of Arthritis
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Arthritis
How Shockwave Therapy Works
What is a Shockwave?
How Do Shockwaves Help Mitigate Arthritis Pain?
Types of Shockwave Therapy
Who is a Good Candidate for Shockwave Therapy?
The Shockwave Therapy Procedure
Shockwave Therapy Side Effects
The Best Shockwave Therapy for Arthritis

Causes of Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition associated with inflammation and pain in the joints. Its causes are diverse, and here are five prevalent triggers:

Joint Wear and Tear: Continuous wear and tear of joints due to aging or overuse can lead to osteoarthritis. This degenerative disorder can result in pain and stiffness in the joints.
Autoimmune Disorder: In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, causing inflammation in the joints.
Physical Trauma: Joint injuries or fractures can lead to the development of arthritis in the affected area.
Obesity: Excess body weight puts additional pressure on weight-bearing joints like knees and hips, which can accelerate wear and tear, leading to arthritis.
Genetics: Some forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, can be genetically predisposed.

It’s important to note that these are just some of the most common causes of arthritis. If you are experiencing arthritis, you can learn if your condition is suitable for treatment and try shockwave therapy with our New Patient Special.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Arthritis

Shockwave therapy presents a non-surgical treatment alternative for arthritis that has several potential benefits:

Swift Recovery: By promoting the body’s natural healing processes, shockwave therapy encourages faster repair of damaged joints, alleviating persistent pain.

Reduced Dependence on Medications: Shockwave therapy offers a drug-free alternative, which is beneficial when compared to traditional arthritis treatments that might involve medications with potential side effects.

Improved Quality of Life: By alleviating pain and improving mobility, shockwave therapy enables patients to return to their regular activities, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Safe and Non-Invasive: Shockwave therapy is safe and non-invasive, which minimizes the risk of complications when compared to surgical treatments.

In summary, shockwave therapy offers a potential solution for those grappling with arthritis.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical treatment that leverages high-energy sound waves to trigger the body’s natural healing response. Here’s how it functions:

What is a Shockwave?

Shockwaves are rapid pressure pulses that involve a high-pressure surge followed by a relatively low-pressure trough. They can originate from various sources, like supersonic jets, lightning, or seismic activities.

How Do Shockwaves Help Mitigate Arthritis Pain?

Shockwave therapy, using a specific device, generates and directs shockwaves toward the affected joints. This action stimulates healing at the cellular level, improves blood supply to the area, and activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Types of Shockwave Therapy

Various types of shockwave therapy can treat conditions like arthritis, including radial shockwave therapy (RSWT), focused shockwave therapy (FSWT), acoustic wave therapy (AWT), and broad-focused shockwave therapy.

Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) uses a handheld device to deliver pressure waves to the skin’s surface. This modality is often used for conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow. However, it may not effectively treat deeper tissue injuries, and patients might need multiple treatment sessions.

Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) directs high-intensity shockwaves directly to the area of concern. This therapy is frequently used for chronic conditions, such as slow-healing bone fractures. Some patients may find it uncomfortable, requiring adjustments in the intensity based on individual tolerances.

Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) uses a device that emits low-intensity shockwaves to the affected region. This therapy is commonly used to improve blood flow, relieve pain and inflammation, and stimulate tissue healing. It’s often used to treat conditions like erectile dysfunction and cellulite, but the low-intensity shockwaves may not effectively address certain conditions.

broad-focused Shockwave Therapy, such as the FDA-approved SoftWave, releases high-intensity shockwaves that penetrate a larger and deeper tissue area than focused or radial waves. This type of shockwave therapy can treat the same conditions as traditional focused shockwave therapy and can offer better relief for muscle issues or larger joint problems, such as the shoulder or hip. broad-focused shockwave therapy may also require fewer sessions than radial or focused shockwave treatments.

Who is a Good Candidate for Shockwave Therapy?

Several factors can make an individual a suitable candidate for shockwave therapy. These include:

Patients with chronic arthritis
Patients who haven’t found relief with other therapies
Patients who prefer non-invasive treatment options

Patients suffering from chronic arthritis might gain significant relief from shockwave therapy. If traditional treatments like medication, physiotherapy, or lifestyle changes haven’t provided considerable relief, shockwave therapy could be an appealing alternative.

Additionally, patients who have tried various therapies with limited success might benefit from shockwave therapy for their arthritis. This could include individuals who have undergone numerous conservative treatment options without achieving sufficient pain relief.

Shockwave therapy is also a viable choice for patients who prefer non-invasive treatments. It provides a non-surgical method that doesn’t require incisions or anesthesia. This makes it a preferred choice for those wanting to avoid invasive procedures like surgery.

The Shockwave Therapy Procedure

It’s crucial for patients considering shockwave therapy for their arthritis to understand what to anticipate during the procedure. The process includes:

Preparation: Before the procedure, ultrasound gel is applied to the affected area. The shockwave device is then gently positioned on the skin.

During the Procedure: As shockwaves are delivered to the affected joints, patients may experience a mild tapping or pulsing sensation. While some may feel minor discomfort, anesthesia or numbing agents are generally unnecessary. Effective communication between the patient and provider can help accurately target treatment areas and effectively monitor progress.

After the Procedure: The procedure typically lasts between 10-15 minutes. After completion, patients can usually resume their normal activities, with no recovery downtime necessary. Some healthcare professionals may advise against high-impact activities or exercises for 24-48 hours.

Shockwave Therapy Side Effects

Shockwave therapy is generally deemed safe with minimal side effects. However, like any medical procedure, there is a slight risk of side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of shockwave therapy for arthritis include:

Pain or discomfort during or after treatment
Swelling or bruising
Skin redness or irritation
Numbness or tingling

SoftWave, an FDA-approved form of broad-focused shockwave therapy, is a reliable treatment alternative for arthritis. Any side effects from SoftWave treatment are usually mild and tend to resolve within a couple of days. There is no substantial bruising or swelling associated with this therapy, and any minor skin redness or tenderness typically disappears quickly.

The Best Shockwave Therapy for Arthritis

Are you looking for safe, reliable, and effective relief from arthritis?

SoftWave therapy is FDA-cleared, patented, and nationally recognized for its leading tissue regeneration technology. Unlike other types of high-energy shockwave treatments, SoftWave is the only shockwave therapy on the market that uses true broad-focused shock waves that treat larger and deeper areas of tissue.

Thousands of patients have experienced the benefits of SoftWave for arthritis, including: