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Glastonbury, CT 06033
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Glastonbury, CT, or ESWT, is a non-surgical procedure used to treat chronic pain due to tendinitis, sprains, strains, muscle injuries, and other conditions. “Extracorporeal” means outside (extra) the body (corporeal). It’s a non-invasive treatment. It uses rapid high-intensity pulses of mechanical energy to help break up scar tissue, enhance blood flow, and promote tissue healing.
Conditions that are commonly treated with ESWT include:
Treatments take about 15 minutes from beginning to end. While one treatment may provide immediate relief, in most cases, 6 or more treatments are needed. Treatments are usually given 1-2 times per week. The device is gently applied to the skin and held in place by the technician. You’ll only feel a rapid tapping during the procedure.
If you’re suffering from a painful sports injury or have debilitating bone problems, you may not go a day without feeling some type of pain. Not only can it be difficult to manage, but it can cause you a great deal of stress. Chronic pain can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life, making you unable to do things you enjoy. At New England Stem Cell Institute, we offer extracorporeal shockwave therapy to help you enjoy immense relief. You can learn more about this treatment by reading our answers to some frequently asked questions below!
One study shows an overwhelming success rate for extracorporeal shockwave therapy. A group of 150 patients were asked to rate their pain level on a scale of 1 to 10, with an average rating of 7.7 pain level prior to receiving treatment.
Following a single treatment, patients were asked a year later to rate their pain level again on the same scale. Most reported an average pain score of 0.6, which is a 92% reduction in pain and a much higher rate of success than any non-surgical or surgical alternative.
There are many reasons why you should consider extracorporeal shockwave therapy for chronic pain relief. One of the most significant reasons is that it’s just as effective as other methods without the risks, complications, or long recovery times. Some other great benefits include:
Most patients require three sessions of shockwave therapy (with each one being a week apart) before significant pain relief is noticed. Some conditions may need up to five treatments! Rest assured – your doctor will discuss your particular case and expectations with you. Once you’re done with your treatment, they’ll arrange to see you again to gauge how you’re progressing.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy creates micro-trauma in the targeted area, forcing your body to create new tissue cells. You can expect gradual healing to take place over days, weeks, or months. Although it’s not very common, you may have mild soreness or bruising following your treatment. Some patients experience complete pain relief from day one, while most have noticeable to significant improvement by the thirteenth week.
It's worth noting that approximately 20% of patients will need a second treatment after sixteen weeks. Since the injury and pain takes time to develop, it’s expected that the healing will take just as long. Keep in mind that the total healing time of the affected area could take up to one year.