Who Recommends Shockwave Therapy?
Olympians & High-Performance Athletes
Dwayne Wade (3-time NBA champion, Miami Heat). Wade received shockwave therapy treatment for his shoulder and knee injuries after surgery didn't provide the results he needed. The non-surgical approach of shockwave therapy assisted in providing relief for those injuries.
Markelle Fultz (NBA player, Orlando Magic). Fultz ensures in his pre-season to have shockwave therapy sessions as a non-invasive treatment modality to boost the body's natural healing.
Joe Clarke (Olympic Champion, Great Britain Canoe Slalom Men's K1 2016). Clarke received treatment for joint stiffness in his thoracic spine and in his shoulder to improve his range of motion.
Mykayla Skinner (Olympic Silver Medalist, United States of America 2020). Skinner experienced achilles tendonitis leading up to the Olympics, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy was used to promote healing and allow her to earn the silver medal in the gymnastics vault.
Medical Institutions & Organizations
Mayo Clinic (United States of America). Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy research has been done at the Mayo Clinic and is administered by physiatrists across America. The Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center in Minneapolis & the campus in Rochester, Minnesota use this type of treatment consistently and recommend it to a wide variety of patients.
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). The ACFAS recognizes extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a treatment option for conditions like plantar fasciitis, particularly in patients who have not responded to other conservative treatments.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE is a UK-based organization that provides evidence-based guidance for health and care, recommends extracorporeal shock wave therapy for conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy. NICE guidelines highlight extracorporeal shock wave therapy physiotherapy as an option for patients with chronic symptoms who have not improved with conventional treatments.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The AAOS acknowledges the use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for certain orthopedic conditions, such as calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, as part of their clinical practice guidelines. They consider extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a potential treatment option for patients with chronic tendinopathies.
European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA). ESSKA has highlighted extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a valuable treatment modality for tendinopathies, bone disorders, and muscle injuries, especially in the context of sports medicine and rehabilitation.
International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST). The ISMST is an international organization dedicated to the research and advancement of shockwave therapy. They promote the use of ESWT for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and regularly publish guidelines and research on its efficacy.