What Are the Therapeutic Benefits of Shockwave Treatment?
We all occasionally experience severe back pain that affects our daily productivity and turns us into a shell of our old selves. However, for most of us, back problems are a passing problem caused either by external factors or by improper posture and bad habits. Yet, if we are not careful and ignore the main causes that led to the onset of back pain, the issues we are experiencing today could become chronic, which would not only mean the end of our productivity increases but also have a terrible effect on our quality of life.
Do you live with chronic back pain? If so, before discarding your Olympic dreams, you should first try the services of a licensed chiropractor who utilises spinal adjustment techniques, deep tissue massage and shockwave therapy. Globally, chiropractic is a controversial discipline that has gained a bad reputation due to unqualified individuals who have practised the profession without repercussions from the authorities. In Australia, however, things are a little different, as practising chiropractors must obtain a Bachelor's Degree in biomedical science or a related field, followed by a Master's Degree in an approved chiropractic science program. On top of that, they must register with the Chiropractic Board of Australia via the AHPRA.
What Is Shockwave Therapy? How Does It Work?
When we talk about chiropractic treatments, most people automatically think of spinal manipulation techniques and deep tissue massages. However, another effective method that can significantly reduce local inflammation and increase spinal mobility is shockwave treatment. ESWT is an effective and noninvasive treatment ( https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-extracorporeal-shockwave-therapy ) that works by directing high-energy acoustic waves deep into the inner layer of the affected tissue. Once these high-energy acoustic waves reach the intended tissue, they create micro-tears, which promote blood circulation and stimulate the body's natural healing process.
Shockwave treatment is similar to the process of gaining muscle. Are you looking a bit skinny and want to bulk up? If so, you'll need to exert pressure on your current muscle fibres, thus causing microtears. These micro-ruptures in the muscle tissue will increase blood flow in the affected area, which will automatically lead to the repair of the affected muscles. But there is a catch. Once replaced, the muscle fibres are denser and have a superior volume. In short, they will get bigger. The same is true for ESWT. It is a process that promotes increased blood flow in subcutaneous tissue, which can promote muscle and ligament regeneration.
On top of that, it's a minimally invasive procedure, ready in just a few minutes, that, for most people, causes no discomfort. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy ( https://mysportschiropractor.com.au/shockwave-therapy/ ) is efficient in treating plantar fasciitis, tendinopathies of the joints and musculoskeletal pain caused by soft tissue injuries. Plus, when combined with joint manipulation, it can alleviate the pain caused by degenerative disc disease and reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis. However, shockwave treatment is not suitable for acute spinal injuries or for deformities that require surgical intervention.
What Complications Can Arise from Untreated Back Pain?
Shockwave therapy can significantly reduce spinal pain that is not caused by severe degenerative conditions. However, if you let the situation go on for too long, you may face complications ( https://www.gardenstatepain.com/content/chronic-back-pain-complication ) that will require a different treatment plan. Has the pain persisted for several months? If that's the case, the symptoms of your condition could become chronic and affect your daily productivity and mental well-being. Chronic back pain can limit the mobility of your spine and lead to muscle imbalance, which, in the worst-case scenario, could result in long-term injuries.
Is the pain you are experiencing caused by a herniated disk? In that case, if you leave the situation unresolved for too long, then you may be confronted with nerve issues that will require a complex physical treatment plan combined with spinal manipulation. Unresolved spinal issues can worsen your existing scoliosis, contribute to misalignments of spinal discs, accelerate the natural wear and tear process of spinal vertebrae and lead to muscle imbalances, which over the years could contribute to injuries. From sciatica to myofascial pain syndrome, spinal pain can be caused by various conditions. However, most are treatable as long as you take early action and utilise the expertise of a shockwave treatment specialist.
What Is the Best Alternative to Shockwave Treatment?
ESWT is effective in treating most spinal problems that lead to chronic pain. However, it is not the only option you have at your disposal. Have you sought the services of a chiropractor? If so, after performing a general assessment of your spinal health and determining the alignment of your vertebrae, he'll manually adjust your spine by utilising precise but firm pressure. Spinal manipulation is a technique that requires extreme care and accurate knowledge of the human skeletal system. However, it is an efficient method to reduce pain and inflammation and restore vertebrae to their correct positions.
The problem is that our spinal discs can very easily slip from their place, which can cause all sorts of issues, from local inflammation to severe numbness in arms or legs. In extreme cases, if the discs are placing direct pressure on surrounding nerves, it is even possible to face issues with bodily functions. Spinal manipulation can restore the proper alignment of spinal discs, reduce back and neck pain, alleviate stiffness, and promote the body's natural healing properties.
An Efficient Way to Resolve Your Spinal Problems
Spine manipulation and shockwave treatment are not necessarily more effective than traditional physical therapy. Nor can they fix ailments that require surgical intervention. However, they are scientifically proven to be efficient for an impressive number of spinal conditions. Plus, they can be a quick and cost-effective way to relieve your perceived pain, release the pressure on your spinal nerves, improve posture and promote the body's natural healing abilities. Do you suffer from persistent pain? Are your muscles getting weaker, and you feel tingling in your legs? Do you want to restore joint mobility? Then, chiropractic can help.
In addition to manual spinal adjustments and shockwave therapy, the chiropractor you call will perform soft tissue therapy, which can help with muscle strains and injury recovery, set up a posture correction plan, and prescribe muscle strengthening exercises through which your spine can be kept in place. Is chiropractic an alternative to physical therapy? It can be. However, in most cases, chiropractic treatments and traditional physical therapy exercises can work together and accelerate the body's natural healing process. Chiropractic is not an all-encompassing cure for all disorders. However, it works, and in Australia, it is recognised as a registered health discipline.
