What You Need to Know About Shockwave Therapy

While it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, shockwave therapy is actually an innovative treatment that uses advanced technology to treat an array of health and aesthetic concerns. From sore joints and aching feet to sagging skin and sexual health issues, this state-of-the-art therapy offers a holistic alternative to many invasive or drug-based treatments.

At Salutem Bio-Performance, Inc. in Monterey, California, our team of integrative medicine specialists is dedicated to offering advanced therapies tailored to individual patient needs. Because it’s noninvasive and completely customizable, shockwave therapy is a natural fit for our whole-person approach to health. 

Read on to find out how it works — and how it might help you.

The science of shockwave therapy

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) uses intense, focused waves of “pressure energy” to penetrate your skin, targeting deeper tissues where damage or injury has occurred. With each pulsed wave of gentle energy, your body responds with natural healing responses that help repair and restore damaged tissue — all without surgery, injections, or drugs. 

Unlike therapies that provide just one main benefit, shockwave therapy achieves its goals in multiple ways: 

Ramping up circulation

When it comes to healing, your body depends on optimal circulation to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to — and carry toxic byproducts from — damaged tissue. It makes sense, then, that improving circulation in an area of tissue damage can help improve the healing process.

Shockwave therapy ramps up circulation at the cellular and blood vessel levels, improving permeability of cell walls so nutrients can pass through more easily. At the same time, the pressure waves may help break apart calcium deposits that interfere with normal circulation.

Breaking down scar tissue

Scar tissue is a natural byproduct of healing. Tougher and stronger than surrounding tissue, scar tissue heals injuries and helps prevent future damage in the affected area.

But there’s one downside: Since it tends to be more fibrous than the surrounding tissue, it can bind tendons, muscles, and other tissues, triggering pain and dysfunction.

Shockwave energy breaks down scar tissue so your body can dispose of it naturally. Then, your body’s natural healing mechanisms repair and restore the area for better function.

Growing new fibroblasts

Tendon damage is a common cause of both acute and chronic pain. While your body usually repairs damaged tendons eventually, healing can take a long time and may leave weakness and instability behind.

Shockwave therapy promotes development of special cells called fibroblasts. These cells are “designed” to repair damaged tendons and other connective tissues. In tendonitis, shockwave therapy promotes faster and more complete healing of inflamed tendons in your elbows, feet, and other areas.

Promoting collagen development

Collagen is a stretch protein that plays a big role in skin health. When you’re young, your skin produces plenty of collagen fibers that band together to keep your skin firm, smooth, and resilient, promoting rapid healing any time your skin is injured. As you age, that process slows down and your skin becomes weaker and less firm.

Shockwave therapy promotes collagen development, helping restore firmness and elasticity to your dermal structures. The same action is helpful in treating common women’s health issues, including vaginal dryness and decreased stimulation.

One therapy, multiple uses

Because it’s noninvasive, shockwave therapy can be a good choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of natural healing without the potential risks associated with invasive or minimally invasive therapies. At Salutem Bio-Performance Inc., we offer focused shockwave therapy for a variety of health conditions and medical concerns, including:

• Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Trigger points
• Sports injuries
• Golfer’s or tennis elbow
• Lower back pain
• Shoulder pain

In aesthetics, shockwave therapy can be beneficial for stimulating collagen development to gently tighten loose, lax skin and smooth out fine lines and deep wrinkles.

We also use shockwave therapy to treat both women’s and men’s health issues. For women, shockwave therapy improves circulation in and around the vulva and vagina, restoring natural vaginal lubrication that typically declines with age. For men, shockwave therapy is effective in treating erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease, a condition that causes the penis to curve or bend.

Learn more about shockwave therapy

Reading about shockwave therapy is one thing — learning how it could benefit your specific health concerns is another. Our team is ready to discuss the potential role of shockwave therapy in helping you achieve your unique wellness goals. 

To learn more about the uses and benefits of this innovative treatment, call 831-293-8659 or book an appointment online at our practice in Monterey, California, today.