Injuries are an unavoidable part of sports, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a weekend warrior. Sports injuries can range from mild to severe, and the recovery time can be as little as a few days to as much as a year for injuries like ACL tears. However, recovery time can be shortened through the use of physical therapy, medicine, and other forms of recovery. One of those forms, which is increasingly becoming more popular, is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), or shockwave therapy for short. If you’re wondering how this type of therapy works, which injuries it can help with, and whether it’s for you, stick around — this blog has you covered.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but the concept is very simple. Essentially, shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing. The sound waves target specific areas of the body where there’s an injury, increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and kickstarting your body’s natural repair process.
Shockwave therapy is non-invasive — that means no surgery or needles. All it requires is a handheld device that emits sound waves, which is hooked up to a larger machine. While it can cause some minor discomfort, especially when set to a stronger level, you can resume your day immediately after a session, which typically lasts no more than an hour.
Sports Injuries Best Suited for ESWT
Shockwave therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Yet, it excels at treating muscle and tendon-related injuries. Below is a brief overview of the most common sports injuries that ESWT can help treat.
Tendon injuries
Tendon injuries can happen for different reasons. Runners, for example, are more prone to Achilles tendinitis, while swimmers are more likely to develop rotator cuff injuries. Tendon injuries are typically the result of overuse and improper stretching. Recovery time varies depending on the injury, but shockwave therapy can help lessen the time to recovery.
Tendon injuries tend to respond well to shockwave therapy because it can stimulate blood flow, which provides more oxygenated blood to the area of injury. Tissues that receive a higher level of blood circulation can heal faster.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a huge problem among runners and other athletes who spend the majority of their time on their feet. While insoles can help prevent pain or at least prolong it, they can’t help relieve pain if you’re already hurting. Shockwave therapy can, however. The sound waves can target the thick band of tissue under the foot, which provides pain relief and reduces inflammation.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are microfractures of the bone. These tiny cracks on the surface of the bone can be extremely painful. Though not as bad as a full fracture, it’s typically recommended for athletes to pause their activities to ensure the stress fractures don’t get worse. Shockwave therapy is ineffective at healing bones, but it can help with healing the surrounding tissues. This also alleviates pain and helps speed up recovery.
Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
Tennis and golfer’s elbow injuries are caused by repetitive motion of the elbow. The injuries can happen to anyone, but they are very common among golfers and tennis players, hence the names. In most cases, the best course of action is to lay off the golf or tennis for a while to allow the elbow to recover. That’s a fine idea, but for those who simply can’t wait to get back on the green or court, shockwave therapy can help reduce pain and restore mobility.
Benefits of ESWT for Athletes
So, why are so many athletes turning to shockwave therapy? Here are the top reasons:
Faster Recovery
One of the biggest perks of ESWT is its ability to speed up the healing process. Stimulating the body’s natural repair mechanisms helps injuries heal quicker than they might with rest alone.
Effective Pain Relief
Chronic pain can sideline even the most determined athletes. ESWT reduces pain by addressing inflammation and breaking up calcifications in injured tissues.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Forget about surgery or needles — shockwave therapy is entirely non-invasive. That means no surgical risks, no scars, and minimal downtime.
Minimal Disruption
Athletes appreciate how little ESWT interferes with their routines. Most sessions take just 15 to 20 minutes, and you can resume regular activities afterward.
Long-Lasting Results
Unlike treatments that mask the pain temporarily, ESWT promotes true healing. This means the results often last longer, allowing athletes to stay injury-free for extended periods.
Is ESWT Right for Every Athlete?
While shockwave therapy is a powerful tool for injury recovery, it’s not the best fit for every injury or athlete. Acute injuries, such as complete tendon tears or broken bones, require other treatments. It may also not be for you if you are sensitive to pain, as the sound waves can hurt when used at a higher intensity.
Why Athletes Should Consider ESWT
Shockwave therapy is a game-changer for athletes looking to recover from stubborn injuries and get back to doing what they love. It’s fast, effective, and minimally invasive, making it an ideal option for those with chronic tendon pain, stress fractures, or overuse injuries.
If you’re tired of being sidelined by pain or frustrated by slow recovery times, it might be time to explore ESWT. Consult with a sports medicine specialist or physical therapist to see if shockwave therapy could be the key to your comeback story.
Don’t let injuries hold you back. Book your first shockwave therapy appointment today so you can start feeling better.
Governor's Park Chiropractic is the Colorado chiropractor team dedicated to helping individuals get out of pain and achieve better health. Offering a range of services and treatment options to meet the specific needs of each patient.