Acoustic Wave Therapy

Imagine you’re playing your favorite sport or running around at recess. You’re having fun, and then—ouch!—your elbow starts to really hurt, or the back of your heel feels sore every time you walk. Maybe you pulled a muscle in your leg, and it just won’t get better, even after you rest and use ice. It can be really frustrating when pain sticks around and keeps you from doing the things you love.

Shockwave therapy is a special kind of treatment that can help with pain like this. It uses a small tool that touches your skin and sends tiny waves into the sore area underneath. These waves are like gentle taps that you can feel. They help your body wake up its own healing powers so it can fix the hurt spot and lower the pain.

Even though the name “shockwave” sounds a little scary, it’s not. There is no electricity going into your body. You are not getting “shocked” like a lightning bolt or a plug in the wall. Most people feel tapping or mild pressure. Some spots might feel a little sensitive, but it usually doesn’t hurt a lot, and it is over pretty quickly.

You can think of shockwave therapy like pressing a special “help button” for your body. When the tool sends waves into your sore tendon or muscle, it’s like your body gets a message that says, “Hey, this area needs extra help!” Your blood starts to move better in that spot, and your body sends in more healing cells. Over time, this can help the painful area feel stronger and more comfortable from the inside out.

There are some big benefits to shockwave therapy:

• It can help sore tendons, tight muscles, and other painful spots heal faster.
• It can lower pain so it’s easier to move, walk, or play.
• You don’t need surgery, and there are no needles going into the area.
• Many people can go back to doing the things they enjoy—like sports, dancing, hiking, or just playing outside with friends—much sooner.

The goal of shockwave therapy is to help you feel better in a safe, gentle way!

If you ever have this kind of treatment, your doctor or chiropractor will explain what they’re doing and check in with you to make sure you’re okay. You can always ask questions, and it’s perfectly fine to say how it feels.   With the right care and some patience, shockwave therapy can be one more helpful tool to get you moving, active, and back to having fun again!