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Shockwave Therapy in Durham, NC

At Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness, we strive to offer the most innovative, effective treatments to help our patients achieve lasting pain relief and enhanced recovery. One such treatment is Shockwave Therapy, a non-invasive, scientifically-backed approach to healing musculoskeletal conditions. Whether you’re struggling with chronic pain or dealing with a persistent injury, Shockwave Therapy can offer significant relief and speed up your recovery process without the need for surgery or medication.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy, also referred to as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is an advanced therapeutic treatment that utilizes sound waves to promote healing in injured or damaged tissues. The therapy involves applying high-energy acoustic waves directly to the area of injury or discomfort. These waves penetrate deep into the tissue, promoting increased blood circulation, stimulating cellular repair, and accelerating the body’s natural healing response.
Shockwave Therapy has gained widespread recognition in recent years for its ability to treat a range of conditions, from sports injuries to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Unlike many traditional treatments, Shockwave Therapy doesn’t just mask pain—it actively promotes healing at the source.
The science behind the therapy is based on mechanotransduction, a process in which mechanical stimuli (in this case, acoustic waves) are converted into biochemical signals in the body. These signals trigger tissue regeneration and repair. As new blood vessels form and damaged tissues begin to heal, patients experience reduced pain and improved function.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Shockwave Therapy works by delivering short, intense bursts of energy to the targeted area. These energy waves stimulate biological changes within the tissues that lead to healing and regeneration. The therapy initiates several key responses:

Enhanced blood circulation: The acoustic waves increase blood flow to the injured area, promoting oxygen and nutrient delivery, which is essential for tissue repair.
Stimulation of collagen production: Collagen is a protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of tissues. Shockwave Therapy encourages the production of new collagen, which helps to strengthen and repair damaged tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Reduction of inflammation: By improving circulation and enhancing the body’s natural healing response, Shockwave Therapy reduces inflammation and swelling in the affected area.
Pain relief: The therapy interrupts pain signals sent to the brain, providing immediate relief for many patients. Over time, as healing progresses, pain levels continue to decrease.

This combination of factors makes Shockwave Therapy a highly effective treatment for conditions that may have otherwise required surgery or long-term medication use.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy offers numerous benefits, particularly for patients seeking a non-invasive, drug-free solution to their pain. Some of the key advantages include:

Non-invasive approach: Unlike surgery or injections, Shockwave Therapy is completely non-invasive. This means there are no incisions, no risk of infection, and no extended recovery time. Patients can resume their normal activities soon after treatment.
No medication required: Because Shockwave Therapy works by promoting natural healing, there’s no need for pain-relieving medications or anti-inflammatory drugs. This reduces the risk of side effects and drug dependency.
Quick treatment sessions: Each Shockwave Therapy session lasts between 3 and q15 minutes, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. Depending on the severity of your condition, a series of sessions may be recommended.
Effective pain relief: Many patients report feeling significant relief after just one or two sessions, with improvements continuing throughout the course of treatment. Studies show that Shockwave Therapy is particularly effective for chronic conditions that haven’t responded well to other treatments.
Long-term results: While some treatments focus solely on symptom management, Shockwave Therapy addresses the underlying cause of pain and dysfunction. By promoting tissue repair and regeneration, it provides long-lasting relief and helps prevent recurrence.

Conditions Treated with Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy has been extensively studied and proven to be effective in treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Some of the most common conditions treated with this therapy include:

Plantar Fasciitis: One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Shockwave Therapy helps reduce inflammation and stimulate healing, providing relief from this often debilitating condition.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm, tennis elbow leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. Shockwave Therapy can help break up scar tissue and encourage healing in the affected area.
Shoulder Tendinitis: This condition involves inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, often due to overuse or injury. Shockwave Therapy can reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair, improving mobility and reducing pain.
Heel Spurs: Heel spurs are calcium deposits that form on the underside of the heel bone, often causing significant pain. Shockwave Therapy helps break down these deposits and promote healing in the surrounding tissue.
Achilles Tendinitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon is common in athletes and active individuals. Shockwave Therapy can reduce pain and inflammation while promoting healing and preventing further damage.
Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee): This condition, often seen in athletes, involves inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone. Shockwave Therapy stimulates healing in the tendon and reduces pain.
Muscle Pain or Stiffness in the Spine and Extremities: Chronic muscle pain or stiffness can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, or poor posture. Shockwave Therapy helps release tension in the muscles, improving flexibility and reducing pain.
Shin Splints: Common in runners, shin splints cause pain along the shinbone due to repetitive stress. Shockwave Therapy helps reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected area.

Shockwave Therapy has been used successfully in treating these and many other conditions. It’s particularly beneficial for chronic injuries that haven’t responded to more conventional treatments.

What to Expect During a Shockwave Therapy Session

At Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness, your Shockwave Therapy session will begin with a thorough assessment of your condition to ensure the therapy is appropriate for your needs. Once the treatment area has been identified, the therapist will apply a specialized handheld device to the skin. This device emits high-energy acoustic waves, which are directed at the injured tissues.

The procedure is typically well-tolerated, though some patients may experience mild discomfort as the waves penetrate deep into the tissue. This discomfort is usually brief and fades once the session is complete. For most conditions, a course of 3 to 6 sessions is recommended, with each session lasting around 3 to 15 minutes. After the first few sessions, you may notice a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in function.

Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

Shockwave Therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. However, it may not be suitable for everyone. Patients with certain health conditions, such as blood clotting disorders, infections, or tumors, may not be eligible for this therapy. Our experienced team at Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine whether Shockwave Therapy is the best option for your needs.

Why Choose Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness?

At Complete Chiropractic Sports and Wellness, we are committed to providing personalized, cutting-edge care. Our team of experienced professionals uses the latest technologies and treatment methods to ensure you receive the highest level of care. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, a sports injury, or a persistent musculoskeletal issue, we’ll work with you to create a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Ready to Experience Relief?

If you’re tired of living with pain and discomfort, it’s time to explore the benefits of Shockwave Therapy. This revolutionary treatment can help you regain your mobility, reduce pain, and get back to doing the things you love.

Book your appointment today and take the first step toward lasting relief!

Sources:

Rompe JD, Furia J, Weil L. Shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciopathy. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2017. https://iris.uniroma1.it/handle/11573/1695011

Speed C. A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions: focusing on the evidence. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/21/1538

Wang CJ. An overview of shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders. The Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2012. https://josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1749-799X-7-11

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