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:

Accelerated Recovery — The production of collagen, a protein that assists in repairing damaged tissue, is stimulated by shockwave therapy, which reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process. An accelerated recovery time also means a shortened treatment period.
Non-Invasive Treatment — Shockwave therapy does not require surgery of any kind. It is a non-invasive treatment with no anesthesia or incisions, making it a more convenient and safer option for those with tennis elbow.
Promotes Natural Healing — This treatment works through the stimulation of your body’s own natural healing processes. Blood flow to the injured area is increased, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients which leads to long-lasting pain relief.
No Significant Negative Effects — There are hardly any negative side effects to shockwave therapy. The only side effects that have been noted are inflammation and slight pain in the treatment area, which goes away a short time after treatment.
Proven Results — The recovery success rates of shockwave therapy are over 95%, proving that it’s an effective and worthwhile treatment for tennis elbow.

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!

related Article: Conditions physiotherapy can Treat

FAQs

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.

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.

There are very minimal risks or side effects associated with shockwave therapy. While some people may experience swelling or discomfort following a session, these symptoms tend to disappear after a few days.