Shockwave Therapy Research

This study suggests LI-ESWT may be preferred by patients who value spontaneity and lasting improvement over on-demand medication. The higher satisfaction rates, especially regarding duration of effects, support shockwave therapy as an alternative for men who don't want to rely on pills before every sexual encounter.

This animal study provides early evidence that low-energy shockwave therapy may offer a non-invasive treatment option for spinal cord injury. The research demonstrates that multiple treatment sessions are more effective than a single session, showing improvements in motor function, reduced inflammation, and better tissue repair. While these findings are promising for understanding how shockwave therapy might help with nerve injuries, the results are from a rat model and would need to be validated in human clinical trials before being applied to patient care.

This study provides high-quality evidence from a double-blind RCT that ESWT can significantly improve hand function in burn patients with nerve injuries and hypertrophic scars. The improvements in pain, joint mobility, fine motor skills, and scar characteristics suggest ESWT addresses multiple aspects of post-burn hand dysfunction simultaneously. For patients struggling with burn rehabilitation, ESWT offers a safe, non-invasive treatment option that can accelerate functional recovery.

This study addresses a common clinical question for patients with chronic heel pain that hasn't responded to basic treatments: should they try shockwave therapy or PRP injections? The findings suggest both work, but with different timelines. Patients needing quick relief may benefit from ESWT's faster initial response, while those seeking longer-lasting improvement may do better with PRP. The study provides real-world guidance for treatment selection based on patient priorities and timeline expectations.

This meta-analysis provides moderate-quality evidence supporting shockwave therapy as a non-invasive treatment option for cellulite. With 297 patients across 11 studies and 5 randomized controlled trials, there is growing scientific support that both focused and radial ESWT can meaningfully improve cellulite appearance, reduce subcutaneous fat, and improve skin elasticity. The typical protocol of 6-8 sessions performed 1-2 times weekly is well-established, though optimal device settings and long-term maintenance protocols still need further research.