Back pain can have numerous causes, ranging from poor posture to underlying medical conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of back pain:
- Muscle or ligament strains: Overuse, improper lifting, or sudden movements can cause strains or sprains in the muscles and ligaments of the back, leading to pain.
- Herniated or bulging discs: The discs between the vertebrae in the spine can bulge or herniate, causing pressure on the nerves in the back and leading to pain.
- Arthritis: This degenerative joint disease can affect the spine, causing pain and stiffness in the back.
- Spinal stenosis: This condition occurs when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerves in the back and leading to pain.
- Injuries from accidents or sports: Falls, car accidents, and sports-related activities can cause injuries to the back, leading to pain.
- Medical conditions such as scoliosis or fibromyalgia: These conditions can cause chronic pain in the back.
It’s important to note that these are just some of the most common causes of back pain. If you are experiencing knee pain, you can learn if your condition is suitable for treatment and try shockwave therapy with our New Patient Special.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Back Pain
When it comes to treating back pain, shockwave therapy is a promising non-invasive option that can offer a range of benefits. This therapy works by using high-energy shock waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. Here are some of the advantages of using shockwave therapy for back pain:
Accelerated Healing
Shockwave therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. By doing so, it can help accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, including muscles and ligaments. This can be especially helpful for those experiencing chronic or recurring back pain.
Reduced Need for Medications
Many traditional treatments for back pain involve medications that can have unwanted side effects. Shockwave therapy is a medication-free alternative that can reduce the need for pain medication or other treatments. This makes it an attractive option for those who prefer non-pharmaceutical treatments.
Improved Quality of Life
Back pain can significantly impact quality of life, making it difficult to perform daily activities or enjoy hobbies. Shockwave therapy can help reduce pain and improve mobility, allowing patients to return to their normal activities and improve their quality of life.
Non-Invasive and Safe
Unlike many back pain treatments, shockwave therapy is non-invasive and safe. It does not require incisions or anesthesia, and has a low risk of complications. This makes it a good option for those who want to avoid more invasive treatments.
Overall, shockwave therapy is a promising treatment option for those suffering from back pain.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Here’s how it works:
What is a Shockwave?
Shock waves are rapid acoustic pulses that consist of a high-pressure surge followed by a comparatively lower-pressure trough. These phenomena are a part of our everyday life and can be produced by various sources such as supersonic aircraft, explosions, lightning, earthquakes, or any other event that causes a change in air pressure.
How do Shockwaves Treat Knee Pain?
A device is used to produce and safely deliver shockwaves to the affected area of the back. These shockwaves can promote healing in the back at the cellular level, improve blood supply, and initiate the body’s natural healing process.
Types of Shockwave Therapy
While there are many types of shockwave therapy on the market, the three most common are radial shockwave therapy (RSWT), focused shockwave therapy (FSWT), and acoustic wave therapy (AWT).
Radial Shockwave Therapy uses a hand-held device that applies pressure waves to the skin’s surface. This type of shockwave therapy is a popular option for treating conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow. However, it may not be effective for deeper tissue injuries, and patients may require multiple treatment sessions.
Focused Shockwave therapy uses a device that delivers high-intensity shockwaves directly to the affected area. This type of shockwave therapy is often used for treating chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis and bone fractures that are slow to heal. However, it can be uncomfortable for some patients, and the intensity of the treatment may need to be adjusted based on individual needs.
Acoustic Wave Therapy uses a device that delivers low-intensity shockwaves to the affected area. This type of shockwave therapy is commonly used to improve blood flow, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote tissue healing. It is often used to treat conditions such as erectile dysfunction and cellulite. However, the low-intensity shockwaves may not be effective for treating some conditions.
Unfocused Shockwave Therapy delivers high-intensity shockwaves that penetrate a wider and deeper area of tissue (7cm x 12cm) than focused shockwaves (1cm x 12cm) or radial waves (2cm x 2cm). SoftWave for back pain is the only unfocused shockwave treatment widely available in the US. Unfocused shockwaves can treat the same conditions as traditional focused shockwave therapy, while providing superior relief for large joints and muscle issues such as shoulder, neck, or back pain. Unfocused shockwaves may also require fewer sessions compared to radial or focused shockwave treatments.
