Particularly for in-season athletes like tennis players and swimmers, sports injuries can be a frustrating setback with pain, reduced function and impaired performance. The most common overuse sports injuries are Achilles tendinopathy, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), hamstring injuries, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), plantar fasciitis and more. Where anti-inflammatory drugs, local injections and deep massage fall short, shockwave therapy comes in. It is a versatile and efficient treatment option that helps athletes get back on their feet without the risk of recurrence.
Shockwave Therapy in Sports Medicine
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive and non-anesthetic medical treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing and repair in injured tissues. These acoustic waves deliver energy to the affected area, promoting blood circulation, cellular activity and the release of growth factors. This method treats mild to severe chronic injuries and improves rehabilitation.
In fact, a study shows that shockwave therapy can enhance muscle elasticity, tone and recruitment in athletes within 30 days after 3 sessions. Additionally, a single session of focused shockwave therapy (f-ESWT) can relieve pain, enhance the force and improve the ability to do daily activities that were once affected by muscle soreness. This means that in as little as 15-20 minutes, shockwave therapy can produce benefits beyond the reach of many traditional treatments, enabling athletes to resume training and get back to competition sooner than before.
Versatility
A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that shockwave therapy effectively improved chronic tendinopathies, including Achilles tendinopathy, comparable to eccentric loading exercises. Similarly, another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at two treatment approaches for athletes diagnosed with medial tibial stress syndrome: a graded running program and the same program with the addition of shockwave therapy. The study’s findings revealed that recovery time was notably faster in the shockwave therapy group compared to the other group.
Other studies have also shown its effectiveness in treating hamstring injuries, tennis elbow and more. This versatility empowers sports physicians to approach their practice with a dynamic tool capable of addressing an array of conditions.
Frequency and Efficiency
Sports physicians can seamlessly incorporate shockwave therapy into their practice by delivering controlled shockwaves to targeted areas of injury. They can adjust the shockwave’s strength, how often it’s delivered, and where it’s focused. This tailored approach ensures the treatment works better, making sure athletes get the best care for their healing process. This customization improves the frequency and efficiency of the therapy, bringing athletes closer to a faster recovery.
A Single Purchase, Multiple Solutions
For sports practitioners, optimizing resources is a constant consideration. Shockwave therapy presents efficiency and versatility in a single treatment modality for sports practitioners. With a single purchase of shockwave equipment, sports physicians gain access to a multifaceted tool that can address many conditions. This contributes to cost-effectiveness and aligns with the demands of modern sports medicine. Also, swift and lasting results eliminate the need for additional visits to the medical clinic.
Conclusion
For athletes, time is of the essence when it comes to recovery. Shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive and non-anesthetic solution that accelerates the healing process for athletes and prevents injuries from becoming a major, untreatable obstacle. As a result, athletes experience expedited recovery times and can quickly resume their training and competitive schedules.
The Best Shockwave Devices on the Market
Shockwave Canada offers sports physicians the best shockwave technology on the market. Storz shockwave devices combine industry-leading capabilities with a user-friendly design. Healthcare professionals and sports physicians use our devices to treat challenging conditions that were previously hard to treat.
Ready to chat? Call (866) 963-5373 or visit our website today to request a free consultation.