Shockwave Therapy: Will It Work For Me?

Shockwave therapy for the treatment of heel pain is a Non-invasive, PAINLESS procedure used to manage that nagging pain you feel that "you've tried everything for," and feel with every step you take!

That's right, no hospital, no operating room, no surgical blades, no bandages, no stitches, no PAIN!!

Shockwave therapy is performed by using a machine on which the heels are placed. It then expels high energy sound waves into your heel through the skin. These 'sound waves' move through the soft tissue structures and bone in your heel and break up some of the scar tissue that causes your discomfort. The special products in your body that heal tissue are attracted to the shockwaves, and a healing response occurs over time!

Heel pain is a common among patients treated at major health centers in the world! Many patients, young and old, are competitive and/or leisurely tennis and golf players. These individuals typically complain of pain in the heel(s) most intense with the first few steps taken during the competition that 'eases up' as the game goes on. At time the pain is felt in the arches, or even in the back of the heel.

Eventually, the pain becomes aggravating enough that it is felt with every step attempting to return a serve, or with every long drive down the fairway. When arch supports, custom orthotics, and cortisone injections fail, that is when shockwave therapy is introduced!

So¦.you're wondering what the recovery process is after shockwave therapy?

The procedure takes about half an hour per foot. Patients walk in, have the procedure, and walk out with a walking boot worn for an unspecified time period at your doctor's discretion, depending upon the origin of your heel pain (minimum of 24 hours, maximum of 2 weeks).

Patients report NO pain during the procedure and mild tenderness after the procedure for approximately 48-72 hours. You can walk, drive, go to the grocery store, sunbathe & swim, and go to dinner the evening of the procedure! Again, no hospitals, no operating room, no surgical blades, no bandages, no stitches, NO PAIN at all!!

How many treatments?

The number of treatments is dependent upon the type of shockwave therapy recommended for you, as well as your personal schedule and flexibility. To sum things up, there are two types of shockwave therapyHigh Energy and Low Energy. High energy shockwave therapy requires one treatment, and the sound waves are of a higher frequency level. Low energy is one treatment weekly for 5 weeks, and the sound waves are of a lower frequency level. Patients respond positively to both high and low energy shockwave therapy.

What are the disadvantages?

Unfortunately the majority of insurance companies do not cover the procedure despite shockwave's impressive beneficial results in the medical literature. Therefore, shockwave therapy is an out-of-pocket expense. The medical community is hopeful that shockwave therapy will be compensable by insurance companies in the near future.

Why should I choose shockwave therapy over a surgical procedure?

Because ESWT shockwave therapy has been found to be equally beneficial to an open surgical procedure, without the risks that open surgeries introduce (pronounced pain, swelling, infection, & the need for another surgery/revision).