Let the summer running season begin! Do you have a goal race on your calendar? How about multiple races back-to-back? Many of our clients here at Runners’ Edge Alaska are facing the challenge of competing in a series of races without enough time to recover fully. This constant cycle can lead to sport-related injuries and overuse injuries such as muscle strains, tendinopathies, and bone injuries. These setbacks can sideline athletes for a significant period, or even worse, for the rest of the season.
...But Fear Not!
There are ways to prevent running related injuries and still achieve your goals. A recent study titled, “ESWT Study Reveals Accelerated Return to Play for In-Season Athletes,” sheds light on how athletes can maintain their peak fitness and performance throughout their training season with the use of ESWT.
What is ESWT?
Now, let’s get into the details. What exactly is ESWT?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a treatment that energetically triggers a cascade of biological effects at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. By using shockwaves, this therapy facilitates regeneration and stimulates the body’s healing system.
Here are some benefits of ESWT:
- Increased collagen synthesis
- Cellular proliferation
- Wound healing
- Pain reduction
- Neovascularization
- Reduced inflammation
ESWT is evidence-based, accelerates healing, treats the root cause of pain, and dramatically reduces recovery time, making it especially advantageous for treating athletes. Numerous athletic injuries have shown positive response to shockwave therapy, including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Medial tibial stress syndrome
- Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
- And more
Evidence supporting the use of ESWT for in-season athletes demonstrates a favorable safety profile and an accelerated return to play, particularly for muscle injuries. After just three treatments with ESWT over a 30-day period, healthy athletes have experienced increased muscular elasticity, tone, strength, and more. Additionally, ESWT enhances muscular recovery, reduces pain, and improves overall movement.
ESWT vs Injections
Now, you might be wondering why choose ESWT over alternative injection treatments?
While corticosteroids offer rapid relief, they come with potential complications such as an increased risk of infection, atrophy, pain, tendon or tissue rupture, bleeding, and more. On the other hand, ESWT allows athletes to remain active as tolerated, as determined by the injury and the patient. Most athletes can continue their training sessions while undergoing ESWT treatments. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, ESWT is well tolerated and can help you achieve your goals.
(Source: “ESWT Study Reveals Accelerated Return to Play for In-Season Athletes” by CuraMedix, April 27, 2023)
Ready to crush your summer goals?
So, what goals do you have this summer? Let us assist you in conquering those peaks and keep going strong all summer long with ESWT.
Curious if ESWT is right for you? Click below and fill out a quick contact form and one of our specialist will get back to you to answer any question you have!
