Can Shockwave Therapy Relieve Lower Back Pain?

Discover how Shockwave Therapy in Cambridge, ON, can aid in lower back pain treatment. Discover the benefits, science, and what to expect from this innovative, non-invasive therapy at The Cambridge Physiotherapy.

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints people face, affecting daily life, work, and sleep. If you're searching for effective relief, shockwave therapy might be an option worth considering. This new therapy has become popular for its potential to alleviate pain and enhance function without surgery or pharmaceutical intervention. But can it even alleviate lower back pain? Let's see what shockwave therapy is, how it works, and what the latest research has to say about its efficacy.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

This treatment delivers focused shockwave energy to damaged areas of the lower back. The sound waves stimulate your body to activate its natural healing responses by enhancing blood supply, degrading scar tissue, and stimulating tissue growth. The sound waves generate microtrauma in the injured area, which signals your body to react by repairing and rebuilding tissues more efficiently. 

• This reduces inflammation and helps recover muscles, tendons, and ligaments faster.
• A minimally disruptive treatment option compared to surgery, a medication-free procedure that typically does not require any downtime. 
• A low-cost, user-friendly approach suitable for routine use in a clinic setting, where sessions are frequently less than 20 minutes. 

Since it treats the origin of pain instead of merely suppressing symptoms, shockwave therapy provides sustained relief for numerous patients with chronic lower back pain.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Relieve Lower Back Pain?

The treatment works on the pain source by:

Decreasing inflammation: The shockwaves soothe inflamed tissues and reduce swelling.

Breaking adhesions: Scar tissue or tight muscles that restrict movement may be relaxed.

Stimulating healing: Increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues.

Enhancing function: Loosening tendons and muscles makes shockwave therapy relieve stiffness and restore mobility.

What Does Research Say About Shockwave Therapy for Lower Back Pain?

Several recent studies have looked at the effects of shockwave therapy on chronic lower back pain:

A  study found that shockwave therapy, combined with stabilization exercises, resulted in significant long-term pain reduction and improved function compared to exercises alone. Patients experienced less pain and better mobility even three months after treatment.

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials concluded that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) was superior to other interventions for both pain relief and lumbar function at both 4 and 12 weeks following treatment.

Another systematic review found that ESWT is effective in decreasing the intensity of pain and disability among patients with lower back pain with no severe side effects.

Although some reports urge further high-quality research, the total evidence to date indicates that shockwave therapy is an attractive choice for chronic lower back pain.

How Shockwave Therapy Can Deliver These Outcomes

Shockwave therapy does so by sending acoustic waves into the tissues of your lower back. These acoustic waves stimulate your body's natural repair processes in multiple ways:

Increased Blood Flow: The shockwaves stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, enhancing circulation and delivering oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues. It reduces inflammation and accelerates healing.

Breaking Down Scar Tissue: Painful, stiff, and scarred tissues that constrain movement and are painful are common in chronic pain. The shockwaves soften and break up the scar tissue, allowing flexibility to be regained.

Pain Relief: Shockwave therapy desensitizes nerve endings and stimulates the discharge of endorphins, your body's built-in pain killers, and both instantly and permanently alleviates discomfort.

Relaxation of Muscle: By easing muscle tension and spasms, shockwave therapy enhances your flexibility and range of motion while diminishing stiffness, making day-to-day tasks more straightforward.

Why Is Shockwave Therapy a Good Option for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain may be frustrating since it tends to return or continue for months or years. Shockwave therapy has some benefits:

Non-Invasive and Drug-Free: No operation or drugs are required, so you are not exposed to dangers such as side effects or long periods of recovery.

Quick Treatment Sessions: Each appointment lasts around 10 to 20 minutes, so it is simple to schedule around it.

Minimal Pain and Time Out of Work: People generally accept the lower back pain treatment without problems and can go about their daily tasks right away.

Compatible with Other Treatments: Shockwave therapy combines effectively with exercises, manual therapy, and lifestyle modification to facilitate long-term recovery.

Who Can Be Treated with Shockwave Therapy in Cambridge, ON?

• Shockwave therapy could be an option if you:
• Suffer from persistent or repeated lower back pain for over three months
• Have not benefited from medications, physical therapy, or other conservative management
• Prefer a non-surgical, medication-free method
• Want to be more mobile and less stiff without surgery

Your therapist at The Cambridge Physiotherapy will examine your condition to see if shockwave therapy is appropriate for you.

What to Expect During Shockwave Therapy?

Each lower back pain treatment session lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. You'll be comfortably positioned while your therapist applies the skin more effectively. The device then delivers pulses of sound waves to the lower back.

Most individuals experience a tingling or pulsing feeling during treatment. A little discomfort can happen, but it tends to be well tolerated. 3 to 6 sessions at about a week's interval are typical, with progressive improvement in pain and function over several weeks.

How Shockwave Therapy Fits Into a Holistic Approach to Lower Back Pain

Low back pain hardly ever has a single cause. It usually comprises muscle tightness, joint stiffness, postural habits, and lifestyle issues such as stress or lack of activity. This is the reason why the most successful lower back pain treatment programs integrate therapies.

Shockwave therapy initiates healing by treating pain and tissue injury, but it is most effective when combined with exercises and lifestyle modification. Several treatments later, most patients are better able to do strengthening and stretching exercises that enhance spinal health. Your physical therapist will prescribe a plan based on your requirements, enabling you to develop strength, correct your posture, and prevent future flare-ups.

Real-Life Benefits: What Patients Often Experience

Individuals who receive shockwave treatment for lower back pain commonly report:

Rapid relief from pain: Most find less pain after only a few sessions.

Better movement: Stiffness improves, and daily functions such as bending or walking become easier.

Less need for medication: Some can reduce the number of painkillers taken.

Improved sleep: Less pain means better nights' sleep, facilitating recovery.

Greater confidence: Enhanced mobility enables patients to resume work and leisure activities.

Who Should Not Have Shockwave Therapy?

Although shockwave therapy is generally safe for most individuals, it is not for everyone. People who should not receive shockwave therapy are:

• Pregnant.
• Experiencing bleeding disorders.
• With infections at the site intended for treatment.
• Cancer diagnosis (specifically close to the area of treatment).
• Having specific implanted devices (like pacemakers).

Before receiving shockwave therapy, a medical expert will carefully discuss and examine your medical history to determine safety and suitability for your case.

To assist and aid recovery, active involvement is suggested. This can include:

• Low-impact stretching and stabilizing exercises for back muscles.
• Changes to work or home ergonomics to minimize physical strain.
• Healthy lifestyle practices include a healthy body weight, adequate hydration, and good sleep habits.

The combination of these lifestyle modifications and shockwave therapy can offer the greatest likelihood of recovery and minimize the risk of future pain. Get personalized advice from your trusted health provider on an individualized basis before initiating any new therapy.

Begin Your Journey To A Stronger, Pain-free Back Today

Don't let back pain rule your life. Get in touch with The Cambridge Physiotherapy today to arrange your shockwave therapy evaluation and discover how this new treatment can make you comfortable and mobile again.

References

Ferdinandov D. Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of low back pain: a systematic review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Aug 29;11:1435504. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1435504. PMID: 39267973; PMCID: PMC11390445.

Li C, Xiao Z, Chen L, Pan S. Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave on low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Dec 30;101(52):e32053. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032053. PMID: 36595991; PMCID: PMC9803516.

Wu, Zhuoraoa; Zhou, Tianqia; Ai, Shuangchun MDa,b,*. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine 102(52):p e36596, December 29, 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036596