Tendinopathy can be triggered by various factors, ranging from overuse to underlying medical conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of tendinopathy:
- Repetitive Strain: Overuse or repetitive strain on a tendon can lead to tendinopathy, causing pain and inflammation.
- Sports-related injuries: High-impact sports or activities that involve repetitive movements can strain the tendons, resulting in tendinopathy.
- Aging: Tendons lose elasticity with age, making them more susceptible to injury.
- Medical conditions: Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout can increase the risk of developing tendinopathy.
It’s important to note that these are just some of the most common causes of tendinopathy. If you are experiencing tendinopathy, you can learn if your condition is suitable for treatment and try shockwave therapy with our New Patient Special.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Tendinopathy
Shockwave therapy is an emerging non-invasive treatment option for tendinopathy, offering several potential benefits. This therapy uses high-energy shock waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. Here are some of the advantages of using shockwave therapy for tendinopathy:
Accelerated Healing
Shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, promoting faster healing of damaged tendons and relieving chronic or recurring pain.
Reduced Need for Medications
Traditional treatments for tendinopathy often involve medications with potential side effects. Shockwave therapy is a medication-free alternative that reduces the need for pharmaceutical treatments.
Improved Quality of Life
Tendinopathy can significantly affect daily activities and hobbies. Shockwave therapy can help reduce pain and improve mobility, enabling patients to return to their normal activities and improve their quality of life.
Non-Invasive and Safe
Unlike many tendinopathy treatments, shockwave therapy is non-invasive and safe. It does not require incisions or anesthesia, and has a low risk of complications.
Overall, shockwave therapy is a promising treatment for those suffering from tendinopathy.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment 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 Tendinopathy?
A device is used to produce and safely deliver shockwaves to the affected tendon. These shockwaves promote cellular-level healing, improve blood supply, and initiate the body’s natural healing process.
Types of Shockwave Therapy
There are several types of shockwave therapy available, including 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 therapy is popular for treating conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow. However, it may not be effective for more profound tissue injuries, and patients may require multiple treatment sessions.
Focused Shockwave Therapy delivers high-intensity shockwaves directly to the affected area. This therapy is often used for chronic conditions like bone fractures that are slow to heal. However, some patients may find it uncomfortable, 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 therapy is commonly used to improve blood flow, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote tissue healing. It’s 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 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, hip, or tendinopathy. Unfocused shockwaves may also require fewer sessions compared to radial or focused shockwave treatments.
