You may not appreciate your feet that much, but they do a lot of work. They enhance movement and support your body weight. For this reason, your feet are prone to various health issues which may interfere with your range of motion. Sometimes the feet signify your body’s underlying health issues. Scottsdale shockwave therapy specialists at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute offer expert foot care to promote healthy living. This article provides you with everything there is to know about shockwave therapy.
What is radial shockwave therapy?
It is an FDA-proven procedure to promote healing in soft tissues with chronic tendon pain. Radial shockwave therapy is an advanced treatment that improves blood circulation and speeds up the healing process, allowing damaged tissue to regenerate over time.
What conditions can you treat with radial shockwave therapy?
You can get relief from the following conditions using radial shockwave therapy.
- Neuromas
- Plantar fasciitis
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Achilles tendinitis
- Muscle strains and injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Connective tissue pain or injuries
- Patellar tendonitis
How does radial shockwave therapy work?
When you have chronic pain, the body does not pick out the area with an injury. For this reason, the body stops the healing process and does not provide relief. Shockwave therapy works by emitting sound waves that travel deep through the soft tissue, causing a new inflammatory condition in the treated area.
The inflammatory condition activates the natural body’s healing ability again. The energy produced also allows the cells in the soft tissue to release specific biochemicals that promote the body’s natural healing process. The biochemicals enhance the creation of an arrangement of new tiny blood vessels in the soft tissue.
Research studies over the past 20 years show that radial shockwave therapy has a 72% to 80% success rate.
The radial shockwave therapy procedure
It involves using a machine with an applicator that resembles an ultrasound. You take the treatment once a week for 4 to 5 sessions. Each treatment occurs within 5 minutes based on the size and the areas treated.
Skilled and experienced professionals conduct the treatments. Your provider places the applicator on the area treated and moves it around the affected part slowly in a circular motion to emit the ballistic waves.
You may experience some minor discomfort during the procedure. Your provider takes note of the painful areas to help isolate the exact injured areas.
Why should you consider shockwave therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy has high success rates and is sometimes better than traditional treatments. The following makes it the best alternative treatment for surgery.
- Fewer risks and complications
- No incisions
- Shorter recovery periods
- No scarring
- No downtime
- Immediate pain relief
After the procedure, you can resume your daily routine right away. It is possible to receive immediate pain relief while other patients gradually experience ease in their pain.
You may want to consider radial shockwave therapy rather than physical therapy for faster and more effective results. In addition, shockwave therapy may be more cost-effective and involve less time than physical therapy.
Contact Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute today to schedule your consultation and learn more about shockwave therapy.