Muscle pain can stem from numerous factors, from poor workout practices to underlying health conditions. Below are some common reasons for muscle pain:
- Muscle strain: Overuse, incorrect exercise techniques, or abrupt actions can lead to muscle strains, resulting in discomfort.
- Sports injuries: Various sports and physical activities can cause muscle injuries, leading to pain.
- Chronic medical conditions: Diseases like fibromyalgia or arthritis can result in continual muscle pain.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Regular and repetitive actions can result in muscle injury and ensuing pain.
- Dehydration and imbalances: Insufficient hydration or electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle cramps and pain.
It’s important to note that these are just some of the most common causes of muscle pain. If you are experiencing muscle pain, you can learn if your condition is suitable for treatment and try shockwave therapy with our New Patient Special.
Advantages of Shockwave Therapy for Muscle Pain
In terms of alleviating muscle pain, shockwave therapy is an emerging non-invasive option offering a plethora of benefits. This treatment uses high-intensity shock waves to initiate healing in the affected region. Here are some merits of employing shockwave therapy for muscle pain:
Enhanced Healing
Shockwave therapy uses high-frequency sound waves to instigate the body’s inherent healing process. This accelerates the recovery of injured tissues, including muscles, which can be particularly beneficial for chronic or recurring muscle pain.
Decreased Dependence on Medication
Traditional treatments for muscle pain often involve drugs, which can carry unwanted side effects. Shockwave therapy, a drug-free alternative, can lessen the need for pain medication or other therapies, appealing to those who prefer non-pharmaceutical treatments.
Better Quality of Life
Muscle pain can drastically impact one’s quality of life, hindering everyday tasks or favorite hobbies. Shockwave therapy can diminish pain and enhance mobility, allowing patients to resume their regular activities, improving their quality of life.
Non-Invasive and Safe
Contrary to many muscle pain treatments, shockwave therapy is non-invasive and safe. It does not necessitate incisions or anesthesia and carries a low risk of complications, making it a desirable option for those wanting to avoid more invasive treatments.
In summary, shockwave therapy is a promising treatment for those struggling with muscle pain.
Shockwave Therapy Mechanism
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that employs high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Let’s see how it functions:
Understanding a Shockwave
Shock waves are fast acoustic pulses consisting of a high-pressure surge succeeded by a comparatively lower-pressure trough. These phenomena occur in our daily lives and are produced by various sources like supersonic aircraft, explosions, lightning, earthquakes, or any other event leading to a change in air pressure.
How does Shockwave Therapy Alleviate Muscle Pain?
A device is used to create and safely deliver shockwaves to the affected muscle area. These shockwaves can encourage healing at the cellular level, improve blood supply, and trigger the body’s natural healing process.
Varieties of Shockwave Therapy
While there are numerous types of shockwave therapy, the three most common are radial shockwave therapy (RSWT), focused shockwave therapy (FSWT), and acoustic wave therapy (AWT).
Radial Shockwave Therapy uses a handheld device that delivers pressure waves to the skin’s surface. This shockwave therapy type is widely used for treating conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow. However, it might not be effective for deeper tissue injuries, and patients may need multiple treatment sessions.
Focused Shockwave Therapy uses a device that delivers high-intensity shockwaves directly to the affected area. This shockwave therapy type is frequently used for treating chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis and slow-healing bone fractures. However, it may be uncomfortable for some patients, and treatment intensity might need to be adjusted based on individual needs.
Acoustic Wave Therapy uses a device that delivers low-intensity shockwaves to the affected area. This shockwave therapy type is typically used to improve blood flow, lessen 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 broader and deeper tissue area than focused shockwaves or radial waves. SoftWave is the only widely available unfocused shockwave treatment in the US. Unfocused shockwaves can treat the same conditions as traditional focused shockwave therapy, while providing superior relief for large muscle issues. Unfocused shockwaves may also require fewer sessions compared to radial or focused shockwave treatments.
