Have you heard that shockwave therapy can help alleviate foot pain, but you’re unsure how? Maybe you have been recommended shockwave therapy and aren’t sure what it is designed to treat? No matter the question that brought you here, we have the answer for you!
Finding out more about shockwave therapy can be tricky, especially if you have never heard of it before. The conflicting answers online can leave you confused and frustrated, unsure where to turn next. Luckily for you, we are here to help! Our brief guide today walks you through shockwave therapy and the foot conditions it can help treat, allowing you to see if it is the treatment option for you.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (SWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses mechanical sound waves to stimulate healing. It is typically used for chronic muscle and tendon pain, where the therapy increases blood flow to promote cell regeneration and reduce pain signals.
A handheld device is used to send the sound waves through your skin to the injured tissue. These waves will trigger your body’s natural healing process, helping to reduce pain, alleviate chronic muscle pain, and enhance your overall quality of life. The procedure should be carried out by a professional who will ensure it is the right treatment for you and your condition before beginning.
During the treatment, a gel will be applied to help the device glide over your skin, where it will be used for 5 to 10 minutes. The treatment is quick and can be performed multiple times a week; many professionals recommend follow-up appointments to assess your progress. It is common to experience some pain or discomfort during the treatment, but for many, this is mild, and no anesthesia is required.
Shockwave therapy is considered safe, but there are some minor risks to consider, like redness, bruising, or swelling. It is not considered suitable for anyone pregnant, has blood clot disorders, or has tumours. When performed correctly, shockwave therapy can be highly effective; however, you may need to wait several months to see results.
What does Shockwave Therapy do?
Shockwave therapy is known to reduce pain, both immediately after the treatment and in the long term. When the therapy is applied to your body, it stimulates blood flow and helps to create microtears in your injured tissues. These microtears signal to your body that it needs to focus on repairing them, specifically where the injury is located, which helps reduce your symptoms and pain.
Shockwave therapy causes localised inflammation, and your body will begin to repair the cells, resetting your inflammation cycle and helping your body address injuries that may have previously experienced healing delays if you have been experiencing injury for several months and have not yet fully recovered. Shockwave therapy may be beneficial.
It will also help stimulate collagen production, which aids in repairing damaged cells. As you age, your body produces less collagen. Adding shockwave therapy helps you produce more collagen through procollagen synthesis, which aids in repairing damaged muscles and tissues. 1 to 10% of muscle tissue is composed of collagen, so your body must have enough collagen to help with these injuries.
Shockwave therapy will also promote the formation of new blood vessels, which helps to improve blood flow. Increased blood flow and vessel formation ensure that enough blood and oxygen reach your injured area, allowing the tissues to heal faster and facilitating a smoother recovery.
Shockwave therapy also gradually releases trigger points in the muscles. Trigger points are one of the primary causes of muscle tightness and pain, so by targeting these, your body can unblock the calcium pump and release the trigger points, providing pain relief while it heals.
X Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Treat
Shockwave therapy is used to treat a variety of tendon and muscle issues in the feet, ankles, and lower legs, although it can also be used for other parts of the body. Shockwave therapy is effective for chronic and new conditions, helping to reduce your pain and speed up your healing process. The results can vary from person to person, but you can expect to see some benefits when using shockwave therapy for the following:
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Achilles tendinopathy (chronic and acute)
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Breaking down calcium build-ups
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Iliotibial band syndrome (knee pain)
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Other tendinopathies
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Plantar fasciitis heel pain
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Shin splints
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Some chronic, long-standing bursitis
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Trigger point therapy
Find Your Shockwave Therapy in Brisbane Today
Shockwave therapy for the feet is a holistic treatment that can help with your muscle pain and tendon issues. The treatment is highly effective, but it should be performed by a professional, such as those at The Feet People. Their Brisbane clinic is one of the premier locations for shockwave treatment, helping to kickstart your healing journey. Head to The Feet People for your shockwave therapy today.