How is Shockwave Therapy Used in Chiropractic Care?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. Originally developed to break down kidney stones in a procedure called lithotripsy, the technology is not used in several medical and therapeutic applications, including chiropractic care.

In chiropractic care, we use shockwave therapy to help alleviate pain, break down adhesions and scar tissue, reduce muscle tension, and increase blood flow to damaged areas of the body. The sound waves stimulate the body’s natural healing response, allowing injured muscles, tendons, and connective tissue to repair themselves faster.

Shockwave therapy is a popular choice among chiropractors when patients are dealing with musculoskeletal pain that hasn’t responded well to rest, stretching, or other conservative treatments. Because it works directly at the source of tissue damage or inflammation, it can be a powerful addition to a chiropractic treatment plan, especially for patients with conditions affecting the feet, back, neck, shoulders, and elbows.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Shockwave therapy involves delivering high-energy sound waves, also called acoustic waves, to targeted areas of the body. The sound waves create pressure in the tissue. This pressure ultimately leads to faster healing by:

• Relieving muscle tension and trigger points
• Breaking up calcium deposits and scar tissue, which helps repair tissue
• Improving blood flow and nutrients to injured areas

The chiropractor applies shockwave therapy using a specialized device that produces the shockwaves and transmits them through a handheld applicator.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy offers numerous benefits, making it a popular treatment option. Some of those benefits include:

1. Non-Invasive: Unlike surgical interventions, shockwave therapy is a non-invasive procedure, reducing the risks associated with surgery, such as infections and complications.
2. Pain Relief: The therapy helps relieve pain by blocking the pain signals.
3. Improved Range of Motion: By breaking apart adhesions in the tissue, muscles, and tendons can move more easily.
4. Improved Blood Flow: Shockwaves promote the formation of new blood vessels and enhance blood circulation, which helps in tissue repair and regeneration.
5. Accelerated Healing: By stimulating cellular activity, shockwave therapy accelerates the body’s natural healing processes, making recovery times much shorter.
6. Minimal Side Effects: Most patients experience minimal to no side effects, making it a safe option for long-term treatment.
7. Cost-Effective: Compared to surgery and other invasive treatments, shockwave therapy is relatively affordable and accessible.

Conditions Treated with Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is versatile and effective for treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Chiropractors frequently use this treatment when patients are experiencing chronic pain caused by inflammation, overuse injuries, or tissue damage.

Some of the most common conditions treated with shockwave therapy include:

Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis, occurs when the band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. Shockwave therapy can stimulate healing in the fascia and reduce chronic heel pain.

Tendonitis

Overuse can lead to tendonitis, where your tendons become irritated or inflamed. This is often seen in conditions like Achilles tendon and rotator cuff tendonitis. Shockwave therapy increases circulation and stimulates tissue repair.

Calcific Shoulder Tendonitis

This condition occurs when calcium deposits form in the shoulder tendons, causing pain and restricted movement. Shockwave therapy can help release tension, allowing for greater mobility.

Tennis Elbow

Also known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow results from overuse in the forearm muscles and tendons. Shockwave therapy reduces pain and inflammation, helping you regain full elbow function.

Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Patients with persistent back or neck conditions often have tight muscles or trigger points that restrict movement. Shockwave therapy can help ease muscle tension and improve mobility in people who have not responded well to conventional treatments.

Sports Injuries

Athletes frequently experience muscle strains and overuse injuries. Shockwave therapy is designed to address muscle strains and tears, promoting faster recovery and reducing scar tissue formation.

How Chiropractors Use Shockwave Therapy

Chiropractors use shockwave therapy to enhance their treatment plans, particularly for patients suffering from chronic pain. Here’s how it’s included in chiropractic care:

1. Assessment and Diagnosis: Chiropractors conduct a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of pain or dysfunction. If shockwave therapy aligns with the patient’s needs, it is considered part of the treatment plan.
2. Treatment Planning: A personalized treatment plan is created, often combining shockwave therapy with other chiropractic techniques such as spinal adjustments, cold laser therapy, massage, and physical exercises.
3. Application: During the therapy session, the chiropractor applies the shockwave device to the targeted area, adjusting the intensity and frequency based on the patient’s condition and response.
4. Follow-Up: Regular follow-up sessions are scheduled to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Shockwave Therapy vs Traditional Chiropractic Treatments

Shockwave therapy works best when combined with other chiropractic treatments rather than as a standalone solution.

Traditional chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment and movement in the spine and joints. Treatments such as spinal adjustments help reduce nerve pressure and improve mobility. However, when soft tissue injuries are involved, additional therapies may be needed to fully address the issue.

That’s where shockwave therapy comes in. Unlike traditional chiropractic treatments, it helps break down scar tissue and stimulates healing at the cellular level. Because of this, chiropractors often combine shockwave therapy with adjustments, physical therapy, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to achieve more complete and lasting results.

Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy (MyACT) in The Woodlands

At Village Chiropractic, we are committed to offering only the best to our patients. The type of shockwave therapy we provide is Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy (MyACT). It is a specialized form of shockwave therapy focused on treating myofascial pain and dysfunction. Myofascial pain syndrome involves pain and inflammation in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles.

What is MyACT?

MyACT uses focused acoustic waves to target specific areas of myofascial tissue, delivering deep-tissue stimulation. The therapy is designed to:

1. Release Tension: Acoustic waves help release tightness and knots in the fascia, reducing pain and improving mobility.
2. Improve Circulation: Enhanced blood flow to the affected areas aids in the removal of waste products and delivery of nutrients, facilitating healing.
3. Promote Healing: By stimulating cellular activity, MyACT promotes the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues.

Who Benefits from Using MyACT?

MyACT is beneficial for individuals suffering from:

1. Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Chronic pain in the fascia and muscles, often characterized by trigger points.
2. Athletes: Those experiencing muscle tightness, strains, and overuse injuries can benefit from faster recovery and improved performance.
3. Post-Surgical Patients: Individuals recovering from surgery can experience reduced scar tissue formation and enhanced healing.
4. Office Workers: People who spend much of their days at a desk often don’t move around much and have poor posture, leading to muscle pain and stiffness.
5. Chronic Pain Patients: Those with long-standing pain conditions that have not responded to other treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

While not necessarily painful, many patients have described shockwave therapy as mildly uncomfortable. The sensation it produces often feels like quick pulses or tapping on the skin. If the patient is too uncomfortable, the chiropractor can adjust the intensity.

How many shockwave therapy sessions are needed?

The number of sessions depends on the patient’s condition and its severity. Generally, improvement is seen after 3 to 6 treatments, but patients with chronic conditions may require additional sessions.

What conditions can be treated with shockwave therapy?

Most often, shockwave therapy is used to treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, and chronic back and neck pain.

How long does it take to see results?

In some cases, improvements are noticed after just one or two treatments. For others, it may take several weeks for the body to fully heal.

Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by insurance provider and the condition being treated. Some plans may cover the therapy when it’s medically necessary, while others may consider it elective.

Reach Out to Village Chiropractic for Your Shockwave Treatment

Shockwave therapy, including specialized forms like Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy, offers a promising and noninvasive solution for a wide range of conditions. It has become a valuable tool for chiropractors, and its benefits include pain relief, accelerated healing, and improved blood flow. At Village Chiropractic, we are committed to giving our patients the best treatment options available. If you are experiencing pain, contact us to see if this is the right treatment for you!