Shock wave Therapy and Baseball Athletes: A Grand Slam Treatment

Shock wave Therapy and Baseball Athletes: A Grand Slam Treatment

Shock wave therapy also referred to as ESWT, is a modern, non-invasive modality that is used worldwide in sports medicine to treat injuries and support players’ recovery. High-intensity acoustic pulses are used to promote healing faster and more effectively with no downtime or damaging side effects. Targeting the injured areas with high peak pressure waves will alleviate pain with the release of Substance P Analgesia effect, as well as kickstarting the healing process through tissue regeneration and stimulation of stem cells through cell proliferation. 

Some of the biological benefits include: 

Reduce pain faster

Improve range of motion

Increase blood flow and microcirculation

Stimulate tissue remodeling (neovascularization)

Remodel fibrotic tissue and release trigger points

Reverse chronic inflammation

Increase Nitric Oxide

Activates stem cells and growth factors

Research has supported this effective treatment for various musculoskeletal pain and soft tissue injuries. Acute and chronic conditions have been proven to be highly effective on its own or in accessory to other treatment or rehab therapies. 

Common Applications in Baseball Injuries include

Elbow: Overuse and repetitive injury, Lateral Epicondylitis, Olecranon Bursitis, and Fractures

Ankle/Foot: Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Heel Spurs, Ankle Sprains

Hand/Wrist: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, Wrist Sprains

Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Strain, Biceps Tendonitis, Calcific Tendinopathy, Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder), and Overuse injuries

Knee: Osteoarthritis, Patellar Tendinopathy, Ligament/Meniscal Injury, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)

Other Muscle Strains/Sprains: Proximal hamstring tendinopathy, Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Trigger Points, Cervical Strain, Calf Strain

Research has established it is effective so what are the benefits of using Shock Wave Therapy at each phase of performance?

Pre-game use could be tailored to increasing mobility and blood flow to warm up the tissue and keep your athlete moving optimally. Post-game treatment is targeted to relieve pain and reduce inflammation as well as promote healing to any injuries discussed above. The current unit that Strength & Spine Chiropractic owns, The Kinas Medical D-ACTOR® 100 ELITE, is also a mobile unit that allows for treatment on and off the field. 

Athletes across various professional leagues including the MLB, NHL, NBA, NHL, and Olympics have utilized Shock Wave Therapy to recover faster and improve their performance, including 3-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade who is likely to headline the 2023 class Hall of Fame.

“Starting in the 2007-08 season, I struggled with debilitating shoulder and knee injuries. In 2008, I underwent back-to-back surgeries. Unfortunately, I didn’t achieve the results I was seeking from surgery and rehabilitation; late in the 2008-09 season I began using Shock Wave Therapy and found lasting relief.” -Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

If you are interested in how Shock Wave Therapy can be integrated as a part of your injury rehabilitation and sports performance? Give us a call today at 727-228-3030 or schedule an appointment online at strengthchiro.com

Dr. Caleb Hebert, DC