Non-Invasive Healing: ESWT as an Alternative to Surgery

What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

While surgical interventions can often be the go-to solution for a myriad of sports injuries, non-invasive options can sometimes be as effective.

Dr. Bradley Bley at Delaware Sports Medicine in Wilmington, and Townsend, DE, focuses on optimizing non-operative treatments of musculoskeletal injuries.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) offers athletes a quicker path to recover without the risks and lengthy rehabilitation periods associated with invasive procedures.

ESWT utilizes high-energy shockwaves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. These shockwaves are applied to the affected area using a handheld device, creating controlled microtrauma in the injured tissue. These microtrauma result in increased blood flow, tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation within the body.

Chronic Tendinopathies

Common chronic tendinopathies, such as tennis elbow, are notorious for being persistent and sometimes causing excruciating pain. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy helps to stimulate collagen production and enhances the structural integrity of tendons. This promotes healing and reduces pain, without the need for surgery.  

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures can be very common in those engaging in high-impact sports like running. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy increases blood flow to the fractured bone, promotes bone remodeling and reduces pain. 

If you find yourself dealing with recurrent stress fractures or other overuse injuries, book an appointment with Dr. Bley at Delaware Sports Medicine, Wilmington DE.

Healing Muscles

Acute injuries, such as muscle strains, can benefit greatly from extracorporeal shockwave therapy. ESWT speeds up the healing process with injured muscles by promoting muscle fiber regeneration and reducing scar tissue formation.

Using ESWT means that athletes can recover faster and return to their usual training and competition schedules with reduced downtime. 

Book Your Appointment

One of the most compelling advantages of extracorporeal shockwave therapy is its non-invasive nature. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy treatment involves 3-5 weekly sessions (7-10 minutes each) and has no significant downtime from sport or work.

If you'd like to book an appointment with Dr. Bley at Delaware Sports Medicine in Townsend and Wilmington, DE, call (302) 792-7222 today.