Sound, M.D.: How Shockwave Therapy Works

Did you know that sonar is harmful to marine life? Imagine getting hit by a wall of sound waves almost twice as loud as the loudest rock concert in history.

Yet, had it not been for the effects of sonar on fish, studies on sound therapy, focusing on high intensity ultrasound, may not have kicked off. Sonar technology evolved during World War II due to the threat of German U-boats prowling the Atlantic, preventing merchant ships from supporting the Allied war effort. Comprehensive medical research on sound waves began around the mid-1940s.

Shockwave Therapy on Plantar Fasciitis

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy or ESWT is a proven treatment method for kidney stones, but also has its merits in dealing with pain from running. Some experts state that ESWT procedures on runners have specific ailments to deal with, with plantar fasciitis one of the most effective to work on.

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of connective tissue from the base of the foot all the way to the heel bone. In the case of runners, the condition occurs when they shift weight onto the toes as they move forward. A number of health professionals state that the frequent lowering of the feet’s arches, especially among flat-footed runners, places heavy tension on the plantar fascia.