Shockwave Therapy and Tendonitis

Tendons are tough, flexible bands of fibrous tissue throughout the body that attach muscles to the bones. The inflammation of the tendon is called tendinitis (also known as tendonitis). In most cases the cause of the inflammation is unknown; the condition usually happens when a particular motion is repeated to often (overuse), when the level of activity is increased rapidly (overload), and sometimes when caused by an infection.

Tendonitis affects people of any age, mostly adults who do a lot of sports. The most common cause of tendonitis in athletes is an acute injury that forces the tendon to stretch beyond its normal range of motion which causes pain, swelling, and inflammation. Elderly people are also prone to this condition because tendons tend to lose its elasticity and become weaker as people age.

Did you know?

• Shockwave Therapy has been around since 1980s and was originally developed to treat kidney stones.
• A study showed that 75% of patients that have Achilles tendonitis treated with shockwave therapy have significantly improved.

Treatment

Shockwave Therapy (also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy) is a confined method that can be used to treat a wide of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly, the areas where the major connective tissues are attached to the bone. This therapy benefits patients because their condition is treated outside of the body which eliminates the expenses and risks of undergoing a surgery.

How does the Treatment Work?

Shockwave Therapy works by emitting high pulses of acoustic energy that are focused on the target tissues by using an applicator. The shockwave stimulates and promotes new blood cells and nerve cells; also, it regenerates the processing of the bones, tendons, and other soft tissues.

What to expect after the treatment?

As compared to other treatment methods, the response of the body to shockwave therapy is as follows:

• Significant pain reduction
• No risk of allergies
• No medication needed
• No side effects
• Accelerated healing
• Formation of new tissue cells