Shockwave Therapy for Neuropathy, Nerve Pain and Chronic Pain

Certain chemotherapy medications can damage peripheral nerves, causing a condition known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN.

Symptoms may begin during cancer treatment or develop afterward. For some patients, symptoms improve once chemotherapy is completed. For others, neuropathy may continue for months or years.

Possible Symptoms
Chemotherapy-related neuropathy may cause:

• Burning pain
• Tingling
• Pins-and-needles sensations
• Numbness
• Electric or shooting pain
• Sensitivity to touch
• Reduced sensation in the hands or feet
• Difficulty buttoning clothing
• Difficulty holding small objects
• Balance problems
• Weakness
• Trouble walking
• Increased fall risk

At MCE, eligible cancer survivors may be evaluated for shockwave therapy and other supportive treatments intended to reduce symptoms and improve function.

Patients with active cancer or ongoing oncology treatment may require clearance from their oncologist before beginning shockwave or laser therapy.

Shockwave therapy does not treat cancer and should never replace oncology care.

Diabetes-related neuropathy develops when elevated blood sugar and other metabolic factors damage nerves and the small blood vessels that supply them.

Symptoms often begin in the toes and feet and may gradually move upward. The hands can also become affected.

Possible Symptoms

• Burning feet
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Electric sensations
• Pain from socks or bed sheets
• Reduced ability to feel heat or cold
• Loss of vibration sensation
• Balance difficulty
• Muscle weakness
• Foot wounds that go unnoticed

Shockwave therapy may be considered as part of a broader care plan for selected patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

It does not replace blood-sugar management, foot care, prescribed medication or routine diabetes monitoring.

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage involving nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

It can result from many different conditions, including:

• Diabetes
• Chemotherapy
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disorders
• Autoimmune conditions
• Alcohol use
• Infections
• Certain medications
• Nerve compression
• Traumatic injury
• Hereditary conditions
• Poor circulation
• Unknown causes

Because neuropathy has many possible causes, MCE begins with an evaluation rather than assuming that every patient has the same condition.

Treatment recommendations depend on the patient’s symptoms, health history, examination findings and underlying diagnosis.

Sciatica refers to pain or other symptoms that travel along the path of the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms may begin in the lower back or buttock and extend into the thigh, calf or foot.

Common Symptoms

• Lower-back pain
• Buttock pain
• Pain traveling down one leg
• Burning or electric pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Leg weakness
• Pain that worsens with sitting
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Muscle tightness or spasms

Sciatica can result from disc problems, spinal narrowing, inflammation, muscle-related compression or other conditions.

Shockwave therapy does not correct every cause of sciatica. It may be considered when painful muscles, connective tissues or related soft-tissue restrictions are contributing to symptoms.

Patients with significant weakness, bowel or bladder changes, saddle numbness, rapidly progressive symptoms or severe neurological findings require prompt medical or emergency evaluation.

Nerve-related pain may feel very different from muscle or joint pain.

Patients often describe it as:

• Burning
• Shooting
• Stabbing
• Electric
• Tingling
• Pins and needles
• Crawling sensations
• Extreme sensitivity
• Pain caused by light touch
• Deep aching
• Intermittent jolts of pain

Nerve symptoms may result from damage, inflammation, compression, reduced circulation or an underlying medical condition.

MCE evaluates the pattern of symptoms and may recommend additional testing or specialist referral when the diagnosis is unclear.

Shockwave therapy may also be used for selected pain conditions involving muscles, tendons, connective tissues and joints.

MCE may evaluate patients with:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Chronic heel pain
• Tendon pain
• Tennis elbow
• Muscle and fascial pain
• Shoulder pain
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Pain associated with movement
• Selected scar-tissue restrictions
• Chronic soft-tissue tenderness
• Reduced range of motion
• Pain that limits activity

Not every painful condition is appropriate for shockwave therapy. A clinical evaluation is needed to determine whether treatment is likely to be safe and beneficial.