Shockwave Therapy

Stimulating the Body's Natural Healing Process

When your pet is dealing with chronic pain, an injury, or a condition that isn't healing as quickly as expected, veterinary shockwave therapy can help stimulate the body's natural repair processes.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted sound waves to reach deep into the body's tissues. These pressure waves can help improve circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, and stimulate tissue repair.

At Holladay Veterinary Hospital, we use the Piezo Wave system to provide shockwave therapy for dogs and cats. Treatment does not require sedation or shaving, making it a convenient and gentle option for many pets.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses a series of controlled sound waves, or pressure waves, that travel through the skin and into deeper tissues, including muscle and bone.

These waves stimulate the body's own healing and repair systems. Shockwave therapy can encourage the growth of new blood vessels and support the growth and activity of bone and cartilage cells. It can also stimulate the release of natural anti-inflammatory chemicals.

One of the unique benefits of shockwave therapy is its ability to help with long-standing or difficult-to-heal conditions. By stimulating the body's healing pathways, shockwave therapy can essentially help "jump-start" the healing process.

How Does Veterinary Shockwave Therapy Work?

During a treatment session, the Piezo Wave handpiece is applied to the area being treated. The device delivers controlled pressure waves into the tissues.

The treatment typically produces a gentle clicking sound and may feel slightly tingly to your pet. Sedation and shaving are generally not required.

Shockwave therapy may help:

• Stimulate new blood vessel growth

• Support bone and cartilage cell growth

• Increase circulation to affected tissues

• Encourage the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals

• Reduce pain and inflammation

• Break down adhesions in fascia and soft tissues

• Reduce certain calcium deposits

• Improve tissue mobility

• Stimulate the body's natural healing response

Because shockwave therapy works deeper within the tissues, it can be particularly helpful for chronic injuries and conditions that have been slow to respond to traditional treatments.

What Conditions Can Shockwave Therapy Help Treat?

Shockwave therapy can be used for a variety of orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and chronic pain conditions in both dogs and cats.

ACL/CCL Injuries

Injuries involving the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), sometimes referred to as the ACL in humans, can cause significant pain and mobility issues. Shockwave therapy may be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation plan to support tissue healing and manage discomfort.

Muscle Strains

Muscle injuries and strains can result in pain, inflammation, and restricted movement. Shockwave therapy can help stimulate circulation and support the body's natural tissue repair process.

Tendinitis

Shockwave therapy may be beneficial for painful or persistent tendon injuries by stimulating the tissues and supporting the healing process.

Arthritis

For pets with arthritis, shockwave therapy may help manage chronic pain and inflammation while supporting joint health and mobility. It can be incorporated into a broader pain management and rehabilitation plan designed to help your pet stay active and comfortable.

Bone Fractures

Shockwave therapy may be used in certain cases to support bone healing and stimulate the biological processes involved in bone repair.

Muscle Trigger Points

Tight, painful areas within muscles, sometimes called trigger points, can contribute to ongoing discomfort and restricted movement. Shockwave therapy can help release tension and improve tissue mobility.

Back Pain & Chronic IVDD

Pets with chronic back pain or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) may benefit from shockwave therapy as part of a comprehensive pain management and rehabilitation program.

Old Joint Injuries

Previous injuries can sometimes continue to cause pain, stiffness, or restricted movement long after the initial injury has healed. Shockwave therapy may help address lingering discomfort and stimulate healthier tissue function.

Scar Tissue & Fascial Adhesions

Shockwave therapy can help break down certain adhesions and areas of restricted fascia. This can have an effect similar to a deep-tissue massage, helping improve tissue mobility and comfort.

Why Is Shockwave Therapy Helpful for Chronic Conditions?

Some injuries and painful conditions can become difficult to resolve because the body's natural healing response slows down over time.

Shockwave therapy is particularly useful for these chronic or lingering conditions because it provides targeted stimulation to the affected tissues. By activating biological healing pathways, it may help encourage the body to resume processes that have slowed or stalled.

This makes shockwave therapy a valuable option for pets dealing with persistent pain, old injuries, chronic orthopedic conditions, and other difficult-to-heal problems.

Shockwave Therapy & Laser Therapy

Shockwave therapy and laser therapy (photobiomodulation) work in different ways, but they can complement one another.

Laser therapy uses light energy to stimulate cellular activity, while shockwave therapy uses pressure waves to stimulate deeper tissues and the body's repair mechanisms.

In appropriate cases, we can combine laser and shockwave therapy to provide additional support for healing, pain relief, and tissue recovery.

Your veterinarian can determine whether one therapy or a combination of both is appropriate for your pet.

Is Shockwave Therapy Safe for Dogs and Cats?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that does not typically require sedation or shaving. The treatment produces a quiet clicking sensation and may feel slightly tingly to your pet.

Your veterinary team will evaluate your pet's individual condition and determine whether shockwave therapy is an appropriate treatment option.

The number and frequency of treatments will vary depending on your pet's condition, the area being treated, and their individual response to therapy.

Helping Your Pet Heal & Stay Comfortable

Whether your pet is recovering from an injury, experiencing chronic arthritis, dealing with back pain, or struggling with an old injury that continues to cause discomfort, shockwave therapy may help stimulate the body's natural healing response and improve comfort and mobility.

If your dog or cat is experiencing pain or a condition that isn't healing as expected, talk with our team about whether veterinary shockwave therapy could be right for them.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.