Shoulder pain can disrupt your life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks or enjoy your hobbies. At Orchidia Medical Group in Naples, FL, we know this discomfort can take a toll on your well-being. We have a treatment that can address both the symptoms and the underlying causes of your pain.
Shockwave therapy is a healing treatment that can do everything from minimize pain to heal inflamed tissues. Working with your body’s existing healing processes, it speeds up healing time and gets you back to a pain-free life much faster. With this treatment, many patients can use fewer pain medications and in some cases avoid more invasive treatments.
The Effects of Shoulder Pain on Daily Life
When shoulder pain strikes, it restricts your ability to manage simple tasks. While you may have been able to reach overhead, drive, or get dressed without thinking about it before, these tasks can be painful or even impossible with many different shoulder conditions. Patients come to us because of prolonged discomfort, slow healing, pain that is so bad it interrupts sleep, and to help support an enhanced recovery process.
How a Healthy Shoulder Functions
A healthy shoulder works using a complex system of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that function in harmony to provide a wide range of motions. This joint is the most flexible in the body and allows for movements in almost every direction. Proper function in these structures is necessary for tasks such as throwing a ball, waving a hand, or lifting a child.
Common Shoulder Pain Causes
- Injury-Related Causes: Injuries such as fractures, dislocations, or sprains are direct triggers of shoulder pain. These injuries disrupt the normal functioning of the shoulder, causing pain and limiting mobility.
- Degenerative Diseases: Shoulder pain causes include degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which wear down the cartilage and inflame the joints. This gradual deterioration leads to chronic stiffness and soreness.
- Overuse: Other shoulder pain causes include repetitive motion or overuse. Activities that require constant shoulder engagement such as painting ceilings or playing sports like tennis often result in inflammation of the tendons, known as tendinitis or bursitis, an inflammation of the cushioning pads in the shoulder.
When Should You Seek Treatment for Shoulder Pain?
Seeking treatment for shoulder pain becomes necessary when discomfort persists beyond a few days or interferes with your daily activities. If the pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth, these could be signs of more serious problems. A sudden loss of motion or strength in the shoulder is also a clear indicator that professional help is needed.
A Few Limitations of Traditional Shoulder Pain Treatments
Traditional shoulder pain treatment options like medication and physical therapy provide relief but often come with limitations. Medications may lead to side effects or dependency issues when used long-term. Physical therapy, while effective and necessary in many cases, can often benefit from additional treatments that support the healing of the tissues.
What Is Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain?
Shockwave therapy is a treatment that heals shoulder tissues using sound waves. This treatment is non-surgical and does not require needles, incisions, or anesthesia. For patients who haven’t had success with other treatments or who are looking for a supplementary therapy, using acoustic sound waves can offer an alternative option.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Shockwave therapy for shoulder pain works by emitting high-energy sound waves into the injured parts of the shoulder. These waves increase blood flow, stimulate cell regeneration, and accelerate tissue repair. The process helps reduce inflammation and alleviate pain while working to restore mobility in the shoulder joint.
How Can You Prepare for Your Acoustic Wave Therapy
As you prepare for your acoustic wave therapy session, dress in loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the shoulder area. Maintain hydration in the days leading up to the treatment, as well-hydrated tissues respond better to the therapy. You can also compile a list of any questions or concerns you might have about the treatment to discuss with your physician so you are fully informed and at ease about the process.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
After acoustic wave therapy, minimal downtime is needed. You may notice some redness or mild tenderness in the treated area for a few hours after treatment. You should take it easy and rest your body for a day or two after the treatment, but most activities can be resumed right away. Follow-up sessions will likely be scheduled to maximize the therapy’s effectiveness, and ongoing communication with your provider will help monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
What You Need to Know Before Your Treatment
How Many Shockwave Therapy Sessions Will I Need?
The number of shockwave therapy sessions required can vary based on the severity of your condition and your body’s response to treatment. Patients might expect anywhere from three to six sessions, spaced a week apart. Your physician will evaluate your progress after each session and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
Are Shockwave Therapy Treatments Uncomfortable?
While using the shockwave therapy machine may cause some sensations of pain and discomfort, most patients describe it as tolerable. The intensity of the treatment can be adjusted depending on your comfort.
How Long Does a Shockwave Therapy Session Last?
An individual session of acoustic wave therapy generally lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the specific condition. Sessions are quick enough to fit into your day without too much disruption.
Explore Shockwave Therapy for Effective Shoulder Pain Relief
Shockwave therapy offers an effective shoulder pain treatment option, promoting healing and reducing discomfort without more invasive procedures. At Orchidia Medical Group, we provide these services and more for our patients in Naples, FL. To learn more about shockwave therapy, please fill out our online form or call us at (239) 333-8809 today.
