Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy or ESWT is a method of treatment of kidney stones, shoulder tendinitis, and other conditions by application of high-intensity acoustic radiation.

This technology is popular in the treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions, plantar heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. It has also been shown to be successful in treating patella tendinitis, shoulder tendinitis and achilles tendinitis, stress fractures and shoulder calcification. There is also an FDA study to treat recalcitrant diabetic wounds.

There are a couple of theories as to how ESWT helps promote better healing. The most accepted one is that the microtrauma of the repeated shock wave to the affected area creates neo-vascularization (new blood flow) into the area. It is this new blood flow that promotes tissue healing.

The second theory is that in chronic pain, the brain has "forgotten" about the pain and is doing nothing to heal the area. By having shockwave therapy a new inflammatory process is created and the brain can react to it by sending the necessary body nutrients to the area to promote healing.

It can be done without anesthesia in our office in less than 10 minutes.

Research indicates that there is significant reduction in intensity of application pain with the use of castor oil rather than ultrasound jelly The positive effect of castor oil can be explained by its cavitation-free quality. The patient is afterwards able to walk out, the major complaint being of a thumping feeling on the heel.

Because re-inflammation is being introduced, the patient cannot take anti-inflammatory medication afterward, nor should they ice the area.

For some patients the relief is instantaneous, for others relief may not occur for several weeks or even months.