Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)
What is ESWT?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment employing powerful acoustic (mechanical) pulses delivered through the skin to stimulate healing in musculoskeletal tissues. While initially developed from lithotripsy for kidney stones, ESWT now plays a prominent role in physical therapy and orthopedics
How It Works
ESWT operates through two main mechanisms:
- Direct mechanical effect—the acoustic wave exerts microtrauma, which incites a healing response.
- Cavitation effect—tiny vapor bubbles form and collapse, generating shear forces and stimulating local blood flow and cellular repair.
Clinical Benefits & Applications
ESWT has proven effective for a range of musculoskeletal issues, including:
- Chronic tendon conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and rotator cuff tendinopathy.
- Enhancing blood flow, reducing pain, promoting tissue regeneration, and improving mobility through growth factor release and revascularization .
- Used successfully as an alternative to surgery for non-healing fractures, calcific tendonitis, and some chronic soft tissue wounds