Shockwave Therapy: The New Solution for Achilles Tendinitis Pain

If you're dealing with Achilles tendinitis, you're not alone. This condition brings pain, inflammation, and makes moving hard. But, there's hope - shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy, (ESWT) is here. It's a non-invasive way to ease the pain and help you move better.

ESWT uses acoustic sound waves to help your Achilles tendon heal. It boosts blood flow, reduces inflammation and helps your tendon repair itself. This treatment is done outside the hospital usually in a chiropractic, orthopedic or physical therapy office, and takes about 5-10 minutes per visit. How many shockwave therapy treatments are needed depends on the severity of the Achilles tendinitis, tendinopathy or injury.  If the tendon is not torn, we usually see very good healing and outcomes after 8-10 sessions. 

If you are you tired of waking up to sharp Achilles pain or feeling like every step is a struggle? Shockwave therapy might be exactly what you are looking for. Have you done traditional treatments like rest, ice, or anti-inflammatory meds, and it's just not cutting it? There’s a groundbreaking alternative you might not have considered: ESWT. Imagine a treatment that can accelerate healing, reduce pain, and get you back on your feet—without surgery. Discover how shockwave therapy could be the non-invasive solution to finally overcome your Achilles tendinitis and reclaim your active life!

Most people who have Achilles tendinitis are active, they run, play pickleball, golf, hike, play basketball and absolutely hate the idea of not being able to do these activities.  This is why most people who have injured their Achilles tendon seek out shockwave therapy; they want to get back to their favorite sport or hobby as soon as possible, with ESWT you can expect substantial healing within 6-8 weeks.  In order for the body to heal and lay down, healthy, new collagen and tissue it takes 6-8 weeks; as long as you take care of yourself, listen to the doctor's recommendations and get proper rest. 

shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis

Key Takeaways

  • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment option for Achilles tendinitis pain
  • ESWT stimulates cellular repair, increases blood flow, and promotes tendon tissue regeneration
  • Treatment sessions last about 5-10 minutes, with multiple sessions often required for best results
  • ESWT is beneficial for patients who have not responded to other conservative treatments like physical therapy and Cortisone shots. 
  • The therapy is clinically proven to reduce pain and improve tendon healing

Understanding Achilles Tendinitis

Causes and Symptoms

Achilles tendinitis is a common issue for athletes and those who stay active. It happens when the Achilles tendon gets inflamed. This tendon links the calf muscles to the heel bone. Overusing it can cause pain, inflammation and stiffness.

The main causes of Achilles tendinitis are:

  • Sudden increase in physical activity or exercise intensity
  • Improper footwear or lack of supportive shoes
  • Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon
  • Bone spurs or structural issues in the heel
  • Underlying health conditions like arthritis or diabetes
  • Flat feet or overpronators
  • Weak anterior tibialis muscle, (in the front of the shin)

The symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:

  1. Sharp or dull pain in the Achilles tendon, especially with activity
  2. Stiffness and limited range of motion in the ankle
  3. Swelling and tenderness around the Achilles tendon
  4. Thickening or enlargement of the Achilles tendon

To diagnose Achilles tendinitis, doctors will examine you, look at your history, and might use tests like ultrasound or MRI. These tests help check the tendon's condition and rule out other possible causes of pain.

Causes of Achilles Tendinitis

Symptoms of Achilles Tendinitis
  • Sudden increase in physical activity
  • Improper footwear
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Bone spurs
  • Underlying health conditions
  1. Sharp or dull pain
  2. Stiffness and limited range of motion
  3. Swelling and tenderness
  4. Thickening of the tendon

Achilles tendinitis

"Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that can be effectively treated, but it's important to address the underlying causes and symptoms to prevent further injury."

Conventional Treatments and Their Limitations

Traditional treatments for Achilles tendinitis include rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid shots. These methods may help for a while but don't fix the real cause of the pain. This has led many to look into shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis as a non-surgical choice.

Limitations of conventional Achilles tendinitis treatments:

  • Rest and anti-inflammatory drugs only offer short-term relief, not solving the root problem.
  • Physical therapy and steroid shots might help at first but don't always lead to lasting results.
  • Surgeries like tendon debridement are invasive and can have risks.
  • Many people with Achilles tendinitis still have ongoing or returning pain after trying standard treatments.

Because of these issues, doctors and patients are looking for other ways to treat Achilles tendinitis. Shockwave therapy is now seen as a good option that can tackle the real causes of the problem.

Conventional Achilles Tendinitis Treatments

Limitations

Rest, anti-inflammatory medications

Provide temporary relief, do not address underlying causes

Physical therapy, corticosteroid injections

Short-term benefits, often do not lead to long-term improvement

Surgical interventions (tendon debridement)

Invasive, risk of complications

The rise in popularity of shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis shows the need for better, lasting solutions to this common issue.  This is one of the top choices for medical doctors, chiropractors and physical therapy clinics who offer alternative therapies that do not require surgery, pain shots or strong, prescription medication. 

Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinitis

Extra Corporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a new way to treat Achilles tendinitis without surgery. It uses special technology, using soundwaves to help enhance the healing process of the body and regenerate tissue. This method targets the injured Achilles tendon at a cellular level by bringing in extra oxygen and stem cells to create and lay down new collagen fibers. 

During ESWT, a device sends sound waves through the skin to the Achilles tendon. These waves start a healing process by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation and making new, healthy cells. 

Studies show that ESWT can lessen pain and speed up the healing process to get patients back on their feet and active again. This therapy is often used instead of surgery because there is little to no downtime with shockwave therapy. The shockwaves are low-energy and safe, making it a good choice compared to mainstream medical treatments, Cortisone shots and minor surgeries. 

Research says ESWT works better than some exercises for Achilles tendinitis. It's just as good for short-term healing of mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy. Mixing ESWT with certain exercises to strengthen the calves and improve arch support, will give you the best results for Achilles tendinopathy.

Most ESWT treatments need 8-10 sessions, recommended to do 1-2 sessions per week. Many people feel less pain and more mobility right after the first session, and with each successive treatment, keep getting better over time.

If you're dealing with Achilles tendinitis or know someone who is, ESWT could be a solution they are looking for. It's a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to treat Achilles tendinitis without having to be sidelined for month with major surgery. Most patients walk out of their treatment feeling better and they go about their daily activities. 

The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

If you're dealing with Achilles tendinitis pain, shockwave therapy is the newest, cutting-edge therapy that many medical doctors, chiropractors and physical therapy offices are going to. This treatment is non-invasive and offers many benefits. It helps ease your symptoms and gets you active again so you can get back to doing the things you love. 

Non-Invasive and Safe

Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't require surgery or anesthesia. This means you avoid the risks and long recovery times of invasive treatments. It's a safe and effective way to treat Achilles tendinitis, with little risk of complications.  This is why it works so well; you do not need to go see a specialist or need a referral from your doctor, you can do an inpatient treatment at your local chiropractor’s office and go to the grocery store afterwards. 

Effective Pain Relief

Studies show that shockwave therapy can cut down pain and help tendons heal in people with Achilles tendinitis. It uses shockwaves to boost blood flow and speed up healing. This leads to lasting pain relief, helping you get back to your active life.

Improved Function and Mobility

Shockwave therapy tackles the pain's root cause and helps your body heal naturally. Many patients find they move better, are more flexible, and can do their daily activities and sports again. It helps you overcome the limits Achilles tendinitis puts on you.

Thinking about trying shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis? Talk to a healthcare expert to see if it's right for you. Its non-invasive nature, effectiveness, and ability to improve your function make it a promising solution.

Conclusion

Research shows that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a promising way to treat Achilles tendinitis. It's non-invasive and can be very effective. A study with 440 people found it helped with chronic Achilles tendon pain.  Another study looked at athletes with Achilles injuries. It found that 18% had tendon problems. This shows how common these issues are.  Studies also compared using shockwaves with or without anesthesia for plantar fasciitis. The results showed that shockwaves without anesthesia worked better. A trial with 79 people found ESWT helped with chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

In conclusion, shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis is a great option to medicine, Cortisone shots or surgery. It helps by boosting the body's healing abilities. This can lessen pain, improve tendon function, and speed up healing without surgery.  If you're dealing with Achilles pain and traditional treatments haven't helped, talk to your doctor about shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinitis. It's a new and effective way to get relief.

FAQ

What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for Achilles tendinitis?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment. It uses focused acoustic waves to help heal and repair Achilles tendon injuries. This method increases blood flow, reduces inflammation and promotes tendon repair.

How does ESWT work for Achilles tendinitis?

ESWT uses a device to send focused acoustic waves to the injured Achilles tendon. The soundwaves go through a wand, through the skin and penetrate deep into the Achilles tendon and calf area. These waves actually agitate the injure tissues, causing the body to kick-start a healing cascade of events. These events include boosting blood flow, oxygen stem cells to come to the area, reducing the inflammatory response and regenerating new cells and tissues. 

What are the benefits of ESWT for Achilles tendinitis?

ESWT is non-invasive, meaning no surgery or long recovery. Most people with Achilles tendinitis pain choose shockwave therapy because they do not want to go through a painful surgery and long rehabilitation times.  With ESWT there are little to no side effects, the healing time is from 6-8 weeks and most patients are feeling better after each treatment.  The protocol to get someone out of pain and active again with Achilles tendinitis is 10 sessions over 6-8 weeks. 

How long does a ESWT session for Achilles tendinitis take?

A ESWT session for Achilles tendinitis usually takes 5-10 minutes. At Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness, Dr. Hamel recommends using 400-500 pulses per treatment.  To get the best results, for healing to occur and new collagen fibers to be laid down; expect 6-8 weeks of healing time. 

Is ESWT an effective treatment for Achilles tendinitis?

Yes, studies show ESWT can lessen pain and help heal the tendon in people with Achilles tendinitis.  With Achilles tendinitis, we expect our patients to be back on their feet and being active within 6-8 weeks says Dr. Hamel of Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness. If it is a post-surgical Achilles issue, these injuries can take longer to heal.  The combination of shockwave therapy, and physical therapy or chiropractic is a great combination for patients to get quicker healing and better outcomes. 

What is the recovery time for ESWT for Achilles tendinitis?

ESWT has a short recovery time. This means you can get back to your daily life faster than with surgery.  Patients should expect 6-8 weeks to recover, although most patients will see an improvement after the first session when it comes to pain relief and range of motion. Patients, for the most part, can still do their activities of daily living; Dr. Hamel says they come into our office, do the ESWT session and walk out.  Just make sure not to overdo it, says Dr. Hamel, you have to rest long enough and not irritated the injury so it can heal in 6-8 weeks. 

Who is a good candidate for ESWT for Achilles tendinitis?

ESWT is for people with Achilles tendinitis who haven't gotten better with rest, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory drugs.  ESWT is also one of the best options for Achilles tendinitis treatment who do not want to get surgery or Cortisone shots. The best candidates are also willing to do the work, meaning get proper rest and listen to the recommended exercises given by the doctor. 

Are there other complimentary treatments that I can do along with shockwave therapy?

Yes, there are many, we recommend anything natural that encourages healing and repair. This includes complimentary treatments like massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, cold laser or physical therapy.  Dr. Hamel also recommends taking natural supplements to help the body heal and repair such as Tuna Omega 3, Ostarplex, Glucosamine Synergy, Ligaplex 1 and Gotu Kola.  

How do I find a shockwave therapy provider near me that can treat Achilles tendinitis?

The best way to find a good shockwave therapy provider is to find someone who has already experienced this treatment, that might be a family member, friend, or co-worker.  You can also ask your primary medical doctor, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, or chiropractor to see if they know anyone.  Shockwave therapy is becoming more and more popular in the treatment of extremity injuries, the providers who are offering this ESWT are usually chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, or physical therapy clinics. Search on Google, Bing, Yelp, ZocDoc, Healthgrades or other sites to find a shockwave therapy provider near you.  Make sure to read their reviews and also make sure the providers are using the right technology.  The two biggest companies making shockwave therapy for doctor's offices are StemWave and SoftWave, these ESWT machines work a lot better than buying something off of Amazon or online. 

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