Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition caused by the repetitive use of your lower arm and wrist muscles, typically seen in tennis players due to the way they grip a racket. Symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow that can radiate down the forearm, weakness, and stiffness, but luckily shockwave therapy for tennis elbow has been developed to treat this pain. Throughout this blog, we will discuss exactly what shockwave therapy is and the benefits of it, along with the treatment process and costs, to help you determine if this treatment is right for you.
What is Shockwave Treatment for Tennis Elbow?
Shockwave therapy is a tennis elbow natural treatment that uses short bursts of high frequency sound waves to target damaged tissue, triggering the body’s natural healing process. The sound waves become pressure waves as they travel into your soft tissue, creating microtrauma by making very small tears in the tendon by the elbow. This results in the increased production of collagen which heightens blood flow, repairs tissue, relieves pain, and allows for better movement without any scarring.
It is very similar to getting an ultrasound, but where ultrasounds use long sound waves, the wavelength used for shockwave therapy is considerably shorter. Because the sound waves for shockwave treatment are shorter and higher in frequency, they can permeate much deeper into the muscle to help with tissue regeneration and pain relief.
Benefits of Tennis Elbow Shockwave Therapy
There are many advantages to tennis elbow shockwave therapy compared to other more traditional methods of treatment. These benefits include:
What to Expect During the Shock Wave Treatment
When getting shock wave treatment for tennis elbow, the process is simple and entails the following:
But, what are the specific benefits? The major benefit of acupuncture is, of course, improved sleep quality. Sleep quality is enhanced as acupuncture can reduce the amount of times you wake up in the night and increase your total sleep time.
It can also reduce your levels of anxiety and stress. Acupuncture brings about a sense of calm, which improves sleep as anxious thoughts disappear, allowing you to relax.
There are also additional holistic benefits, including improved digestion and pain relief, that contribute to better sleep.
How Much Does Shockwave Therapy Cost?
At Newmarket Health & Wellness Centre, our shockwave therapy costs $130. However, this price could vary depending on the clinic you decide to go with.
Most health insurance plans will either partially or completely cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments. You can check with your insurance provider to determine exactly what is covered and what you may have to pay for yourself. When you come to us for your appointment, make sure to bring your insurance plan information so that we can directly bill your insurance company, saving you time and money.
So, Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?
Shockwave therapy is a great tennis elbow treatment device that supports your body’s natural healing processes without the need for surgery.
At Newmarket Health & Wellness Centre, our goal has always been to alleviate pain and improve your overall quality of life. If you need help finding the right treatment for tennis elbow, we’re here for you. Contact us today to book an appointment!
FAQs
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Does Shockwave Therapy Hurt?
You may experience some mild discomfort during the treatment, but the shockwaves’ frequency and intensity can be adjusted for improved comfort. Most people find the treatment manageable and that their pain has been significantly relieved afterwards.
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How many sessions of tennis elbow shockwave therapy will I need?
This depends entirely on the severity of your tennis elbow and your individual response to the therapy. In general, patients report improvements after 1 session a week for 3-6 weeks.
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What are the side effects or risks associated with shock wave treatment for tennis elbow?
