How does shockwave therapy work?

Shockwave therapy can help plantar fasciitis painExtracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been used for some time to treat conditions like tendon damage and plantar fasciitis that are stubborn and don’t respond to other conservative remedies. Still, most people don’t understand how shockwave therapy works, and even scientists may not fully understand why it does.

Shockwave therapy uses high energy acoustic waves that are strong enough to produce an actual physical effect, like a plane traveling fast enough to break the sound barrier. Shockwaves seem to stimulate even chronic, non-healing injuries to revert to an acute healing phase, so cell repair and growth can take place.

The machine we use allows us to control the shockwaves so precisely that they can pass through undamaged tissue and hit directly at the injured tissue. The treatment stimulates formation of microscopic circulation (blood flow) and metabolism (cell activity). In addition, ESWT helps break down calcification (hardening) in soft tissues and stimulates fibroblast cells to start healing connective tissues like tendons and ligaments.

If you are struggling with chronic foot pain that doesn’t seem to heal, Parker Foot & Ankle may be able to help with ESWT. Call (281) 497-2850 to reach our Houston, TX office and find out if it’s right for you.

Robert G. Parker
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