Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

If you have scar tissue, pain, or calcifications in your joints or limbs, you may be a candidate for a completely noninvasive therapy called extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). Benjamin Petty, MD, a double-board-certified expert physician and sports medicine doctor in Dunn, North Carolina, uses ESWT to stimulate metabolism, break up scar tissue and calcifications, and accelerate healing and tissue regeneration. When you’re ready to start healing without downtime, risks, or side effects, schedule an ESWT consultation with Dr. Petty by phone or online form.

What is ESWT?

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a noninvasive treatment that delivers pulses of energy and pressure (i.e., shock waves) to areas of your musculoskeletal system that are inflamed, calcified, or painful. Medical professionals have used ESWT since the 1960s to disintegrate kidney stones and other anomalies without damaging surrounding, healthy tissues. 

Dr. Petty recommends ESWT as first-line therapy for injuries and chronic pain that haven’t responded to conservative measures, such as the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and physical therapy.

What kinds of conditions does ESWT treat?

Dr. Petty uses the FDA-approved EPAT® (Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology) system — a type of ESWT — to deliver shock waves to traumatized tissue to stimulate healing in both small and large areas. Dr. Petty may use EPAT to treat: 

• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis
• Tendinopathies
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Lower back pain
• Stress fractures
• Wound healing
• Spasticity

Almost any area of the body’s musculoskeletal system may respond to the healing benefits of ESWT. If you’ve suffered an injury that doesn’t heal or if you have chronic pain, ask Dr. Petty if ESWT is right for you.

What happens when I get EPAT?

Your EPAT treatments are truly noninvasive and may help you avoid surgery. Dr. Petty and his team first apply numbing gel and coupling gel to the treatment area to control any discomfort and increase the reach and penetration of the shock waves. 

Dr. Petty adjusts the strength of the waves based on your needs and then moves the EPAT device in circles over treatment areas such as:

• Neck
• Shoulders
• Back and chest
• Legs and arms
• Feet and ankles
• Myofascial trigger points

The entire EPAT treatment takes only about 5-10 minutes per area. Most women and men need at least three sessions to get the improvement they want.

After your EPAT session, you can walk and perform most daily activities. You can resume your normal routine within 48 hours, but you should avoid strenuous activity for up to four weeks.

How does ESWT work?

As with many regenerative therapies, ESWT creates controlled trauma to help your body rebuild itself with new proteins and cells. The EPAT system directs ultrasound energy to break up scar tissue and inflammation and to shatter excess calcium deposits on tissues. 

The shock waves also stimulate blood circulation to the treatment area to increase your healing response.

As your body heals, inflammation subsides, and irritated nerves regenerate, too. The EPAT type of ESWT repairs damage and alleviates pain without the need for surgery or drugs. Up to 80% of women and men treated with EPAT reported reduced pain or were pain-free after their therapy. 

To find out if your chronic or acute pain or injury could be healed with ESWT, contact Dr. Petty by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.