Athletes: Choose Shockwave Therapy for Fast Recovery!
As an athlete, nothing is more frustrating than being sidelined by a persistent foot or ankle injury. While rest, ice, and stretching are important, sometimes, these conservative measures aren’t enough to break the pain cycle.
At Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Institute, we offer an advanced, non-invasive solution to help athletes heal faster and get back in the game: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT).
Why Traditional Treatments Can Fall Short (Especially for Sports!)
Athletes push their bodies to the limit, and the repetitive stress on feet and ankles can lead to stubborn problems requiring attention. Traditional approaches often include:
- Prolonged Rest: Difficult for dedicated athletes eager to return to their sport!
- Anti-inflammatory Medications: Can provide temporary relief but don’t address the underlying tissue damage and may have side effects with long-term use.
- Corticosteroid Injections: Can reduce inflammation but may weaken tendons over time if used repeatedly and don’t promote actual tissue healing.
- Surgery: Often considered a last resort due to invasiveness, risks, and lengthy recovery periods.
Shockwave Therapy: A Game-Changer for Sports Injuries
ESWT, often simply called “shockwave therapy,” is a cutting-edge treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate your body’s own natural healing processes. It’s not electrical shock; it’s targeted sound energy!
ESWT has proven highly effective for a range of common sports-related injuries that haven’t responded to other conservative treatments:
- Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: Persistent heel pain that plagues runners, basketball players, and other athletes.
- Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy: Pain and inflammation in the large tendon at the back of the ankle.
- Other Tendinopathies: Including peroneal tendonitis (outside of ankle) or posterior tibial tendonitis (inside of ankle).
How Shockwave Helps Athletes Recover Faster:
- Stimulates Healing at the Source: The shockwaves create a controlled “micro-trauma” in the injured tissue. This reawakens the body’s healing cascade, increasing blood flow, promoting the release of growth factors, and encouraging the regeneration of healthy tissue.
- Reduces Pain & Inflammation: Shockwave therapy can help modulate pain signals and reduce chronic inflammation, providing significant relief.
- Breaks Down Scar Tissue: For chronic tendinopathies, it can help break down restrictive scar tissue, improving flexibility and function.
- Non-Invasive & No Downtime: This is a huge advantage for athletes!
- The procedure is performed in our office.
- No incisions or anesthesia are typically required.
- You can usually walk out immediately after treatment and resume modified activities as guided by your podiatrist.
Expert Application = Superior Results
Technology is only as effective as the person using it! Dr. Daniel Michaels has the experience and skills to employ ESWT effectively, but he also knows when and where it will be most effective. You can trust Dr. Michaels to ensure that ESWT is the right treatment for you before proceeding, so remember what he always says:
“If it’s below the knee, think of me!”
Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Institute, LLC offers comprehensive podiatric services. Call us at 301-797-8554 or contact us to schedule an appointment. Located in Hagerstown & Frederick, MD, we’re ready to meet any of your foot health needs.
