Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy, also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) or acoustic wave therapy, sends high-energy sound waves into tissue to stimulate healing in long-lasting tendon and soft tissue pain. Joint Effort Physical Therapy offers shockwave therapy in Hot Springs, Arkansas for tendon problems that have lasted.
How acoustic waves reach a sore tendon
A handheld applicator delivers pulses of sound waves to the injured tissue. These waves are thought to encourage blood flow, support collagen production in the area and help break up calcium deposits that form in irritated tendons.
It is non-invasive. Our clinic uses a focused device, which can reach tissue deeper than radial shockwave therapy. Radial devices spread their energy over a larger, shallower area, and ours does not work that way.
Tendon problems where shockwave is considered
It is mostly used for pain where tendon or connective tissue meets bone, especially when other care has not helped enough.
Shockwave for plantar fasciitis
Heel and arch pain, often worst with the first steps in the morning. See foot and ankle pain.
Shockwave for tennis elbow
Pain at the outer elbow from overuse. See elbow pain.
Shockwave for Achilles tendinitis and shin splints
Repeated strain at the back of the heel or along the shin is treated at the exact site of the injury.
Shoulder, knee and hip
Calcific shoulder tendinitis and rotator cuff tendon pain, jumper’s knee and other tendon pain. See shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain and sports injuries.
What a shockwave treatment feels like
Each session follows the same simple order.
Locate the spot
Your therapist finds the area to treat during the examination so the waves go where the injury is.
Apply gel
A small amount of gel helps the sound waves pass smoothly into the skin.
Deliver the pulses
The applicator is pressed lightly against the area and clicks as pulses are delivered. Intensity is set to your tolerance. Most patients feel a deep ache over the target, and many call it a good ache that fades quickly afterward.
Paired with exercise, and how many visits
Shockwave addresses the tissue. Exercise teaches the muscle and tendon to carry load again, so the plan usually includes therapeutic exercise. How many sessions you need depends on the problem and how long you have had it, and your therapist sets that with you.
If you are also using deep tissue laser therapy, your therapist decides how the two fit together.
Who should not have shockwave
Tell your therapist before treatment. Shockwave is generally avoided for:
- People on blood thinners or with clotting disorders
- Pregnancy
- Treatment over a tumor
- Areas where a child’s growth plates are still open
What it costs
Call us and we will explain how shockwave therapy is billed. Joint Effort Physical Therapy accepts most major commercial and private insurances, and the insurance page lists the plans it does not take. Self-pay is $85 per visit.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Shockwave therapy care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Shockwave therapy at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.