How Shock Therapy Works in Brighton, MI
What to Expect: How Shock Wave Therapy Works
If you're considering SoundWave (shockwave) therapy for the first time, it helps to know exactly what the treatment involves before you come in. At The Livingston Clinic, this non-surgical therapy uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in injured muscles, tendons, and joints — and knowing what to expect at each stage can make the process feel a lot less unfamiliar.
What SoundWave Therapy Actually Is
A shockwave is a strong pressure wave — the same basic physical phenomenon produced by things like supersonic aircraft or lightning, just applied in a controlled medical setting. Acoustic shockwave therapy has been used in medicine for decades, originally to treat kidney stones, before its ability to stimulate healing in bone, tendon, and ligament tissue was discovered in the early 1980s. Since then, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has been well documented in peer-reviewed research for treating a range of orthopedic conditions.
Preparing for Your First Session
Before starting treatment, it's important to avoid steroid medications — including cortisone shots, prednisone, and Medrol dose packs — for at least 4 weeks (ideally 8 weeks) beforehand, and for at least 6 weeks after treatment concludes. Steroids interfere with the body's natural healing response, which is the exact mechanism SoundWave therapy is designed to activate.
During Your Appointment
Each session runs about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. During that time, the device delivers 2,000 to 3,000 acoustic pulse waves directly into the affected tissue, compressing and manipulating it to boost circulation and trigger healing. Some discomfort during the session is common, though most patients tolerate it well. Immediately afterward, the treated area also receives low-level LED light therapy to further support the healing process.
After Treatment
Many patients feel some immediate relief right after their session. It's also common to experience mild soreness or achiness in the treated area 2 to 4 hours later — this is considered a positive sign that the healing response has been activated, and it typically fades within a few hours to a couple of days. Ice, steroid medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin should be avoided afterward, since they can blunt the intended healing effects; Tylenol is fine if you need something for discomfort. Normal activity and light exercise are generally okay, though high-impact movement should be avoided for the duration of treatment.
The Full Treatment Plan
Most conditions require a full course of 6 sessions, typically scheduled as 2 sessions in the first week followed by one session per week for 4 weeks. At our Brighton, MI office, Dr. Meyers tracks your progress throughout the plan, and if a patient isn't responding as expected, other treatment options or referrals are considered.
FAQs About How Shock Therapy Works
Q1: What actually happens during a SoundWave therapy session?
A: The device delivers 2,000 to 3,000 acoustic pressure pulses directly into the injured tissue over about 10 to 20 minutes, stimulating circulation and the body's natural healing response. The area also receives low-level LED light therapy afterward.
Q2: Do I need to stop any medications before starting treatment?
A: Yes — steroid medications like cortisone shots or prednisone should be avoided for 4 to 8 weeks before treatment and for at least 6 weeks afterward, since they interfere with the healing process the therapy relies on.
Q3: Is the treatment painful, and what should I expect afterward?
A: Some discomfort during the session is normal and well-tolerated by most patients. Afterward, mild soreness for a few hours to a couple of days is common and is actually a sign the healing response has started.
Q4: How many total sessions will I need?
A: Most treatment plans at our Brighton, MI practice involve 6 sessions, generally spaced over about 4 to 5 weeks.
Q5: Can I take anything for discomfort after a session?
A: Tylenol is fine if needed, but ice and anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen should be avoided, as they can interfere with the healing response the treatment is designed to trigger.