Many orthopedists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners use shockwave therapy to treat many of the human body’s various musculoskeletal disorders. However, you may be surprised to learn that veterinarians and animal health professionals use shockwave therapy for horses and other animals.

Shockwave therapy is effective because it can treat many conditions without the need for surgery or drugs. Practitioners use a shockwave device to send focused soundwaves to an affected area, enhancing metabolism and circulation. This stimulates cells that are responsible for healing damaged tissue and bone.

Shockwave therapy for horses can treat issues such as:

  • Tendinopathy and tendinitis
  • Desmitis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Stress fractures
  • Navicular syndrome
  • Kissing spines
  • Deep muscle pain
  • And more

A survey of the members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners found that the most common use of shockwave therapy for horses was to treat ligamentous injuries.

Quick, Non-Invasive, and Drug-Free

One of the many advantages of shockwave therapy for horses is that there’s little hassle. Before a session, the horse will need to be groomed and dry, which will help with conduction. Shockwave practitioners will also use ultrasound gel to improve conduction, so the horse will need to be cleaned after a session.

Horses tolerate neck and back treatment well, so sedation is often not required for these treatments. However, sedation may be necessary for treating distal or bony areas where there isn’t much muscle.

And because shockwave therapy doesn’t require surgery, in most cases horses can return to activities quickly. However, since shockwave therapy has analgesic effects, a horse with an acute injury may become too active before it fully recovers. So, trainers must be cautious working the horse back up to regular activity depending on the injury.

User-Friendly

Horses generally tolerate shockwave therapy well, and they often lick, check, and yawn during a session. But it’s always important to have your full attention on an animal during treatment. A horse can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, after all.

Storz shockwave therapy devices make your job easier with user-friendly handpieces. All the system’s important control elements are integrated into the handpiece, so you can maintain focus on the horse during treatment. Now, if the horse becomes excited while you’re targeting a particular site, you can make the necessary adjustments quickly and easily.

Shockwave Therapy for Horses

If you’re looking to integrate shockwave therapy for horses into your practice, either the MASTERPULS® Ultra ONE, MP50, or MP100 will suit your needs. Lightweight and portable, these compact devices offer a convenient combination of power and mobility. So, you can confidently take them with you while out in the field without sacrificing therapeutic capability.

If you want to learn more about our industry-leading shockwave devices, call 1 (888) 741-SHOC(7462) or visit our website.