Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a disorder in which the patient is unable to keep an erection for normal sexual activity. As per estimates, 52% of men in the United States suffer from ED. The disability mostly affects men between the ages of 40 and 70. Erectile dysfunction is a personal issue that can contribute significantly to physical and psychological issues.
Thus, patients seek different forms of treatment for the disorder including oral medications, hormone replacement therapies (HRT), penile implants, etc. However, all these therapies are linked to some kind of adverse effects. Therefore, many patients are now shifting towards safe and effective alternatives like shockwave therapy. So, today we shed some light on what is shockwave therapy and how it helps ED patients!
What Is Shock Wave Therapy?
Also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, it is a non-invasive therapy that uses different-intensity electric waves to promote healing. This type of treatment option is gaining rapid popularity in managing painful injuries and chronic inflammatory conditions. Surprisingly, shockwaves can prove to be beneficial for erectile dysfunction patients as well. Patients with vasculogenic ED seem to benefit the most from this type of treatment.
How Shock Wave Therapy Improves Erectile Dysfunction Condition?
Low-intensity shockwaves promote healing by improving the blood flow to the affected site. As erection heavily relies on optimal blood flow to the penile tissue, any modality that increases the pooling of blood can enhance the condition.
According to a meta-analysis, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave (Li-ESWT) leads to an evident increase in erectile function scores. Recent studies found shock wave therapy to be effective for ED. Moreover, there were minimal side effects associated with it.
A 2019 meta-analysis found 2 ESWT sessions per week for 3 weeks to be the best treatment plan. Patients were given a rest of 3 weeks after which the shockwaves were incorporated for another 3 weeks (twice-weekly routine) to obtain superior results.
How Is It Performed?
A healthcare professional moves the electronic device (which emits electric impulses) along different parts of the penis to induce blood flow improvements. The procedure lasts for about 15 minutes.
Benefits Of Shockwave Therapy
- It is a painless procedure (for most people).
- It is a safe procedure with minimal side effects.
- The therapy has long-term effects (for about one year).
- You get rid of pills and invasive surgeries.
Shock Wave Therapy At The Legacy Clinic Of Chiropractic
The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic offers diverse options of treatments for different medical conditions. The experts at the clinic are trained to deliver high-quality shock wave therapy to improve your erectile dysfunction and help you get an exciting sex life!
References
- Leslie, S. W., & Sooriyamoorthy, T. (2024). Erectile dysfunction. In StatPearls [internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
- Retzler, K. (2019). Erectile dysfunction: a review of comprehensive treatment options for optimal outcome. Journal of Restorative Medicine, 8(1).
- Korakakis, V., Whiteley, R., Tzavara, A., & Malliaropoulos, N. (2018). The effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in common lower limb conditions: a systematic review including quantification of patient-rated pain reduction. British journal of sports medicine, 52(6), 387-407.
- Clavijo, R. I., Kohn, T. P., Kohn, J. R., & Ramasamy, R. (2017). Effects of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy on erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The journal of sexual medicine, 14(1), 27-35.
- Bocchino, A. C., Pezzoli, M., Martínez-Salamanca, J. I., Russo, G. I., Giudice, A. L., & Cocci, A. (2023). Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: Myths and realities. Investigative and clinical urology, 64(2), 118.
- Sokolakis, I., & Hatzichristodoulou, G. (2019). Clinical studies on low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International journal of impotence research, 31(3), 177-194.