Subacromial pain syndrome encompasses several pathologies including partial thickness rotator cuff tears, rotator cuff tendinopathy, calcific tendinitis, and subacromial bursitis. It is the most common shoulder disorder, accounting for 44-65% of all reports of shoulder pain to physicians. The main symptoms are pain, weakness, and reduced range of motion.
Conservative treatments for subacromial pain syndrome include:
- Rest
- Ice
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physical therapy
Patients who don’t respond to conservative treatment may turn to steroid injections or surgery. Shockwave therapy is an alternative modality for patients seeking a drug-free, non-invasive option.
Treating Subacromial Pain Syndrome With Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is clinically proven to treat many musculoskeletal conditions, including subacromial pain syndrome. Using acoustic pressure waves, a practitioner uses a shockwave device to target an affected area. The pressure waves enhance blood flow and metabolism, boosting the body’s natural healing processes.
One study compared shockwave therapy to surgery for treating calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Researchers found that for patients with inhomogeneous deposits, shockwave therapy showed equivalent results to surgery and should therefore be given priority due to its non-invasive treatment.
To measure the effectiveness of using shockwave therapy to treat subacromial impingement syndrome, researchers in one study evaluated 30 patients with three types of acromion morphology. Patients were divided into three groups according to their acromion morphology and received shockwave therapy once a week for three weeks. Researchers used the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) at baseline and 12 after treatment to assess pain and functionality.
All groups saw improvements in SPADI scores regardless of their acromion morphology.
How to Integrate Shockwave Therapy Into Your Practice
In addition to subacromial pain syndrome, shockwave therapy can treat plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, myofascial trigger points, and numerous other musculoskeletal issues. And Medical Wave offers the best shockwave technology on the market. Our state-of-the-art devices are used by leading practitioners in physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, and orthopedics.
Call (844) 636-9283 or visit our website to learn more about this groundbreaking technology.