To schedule a PiezoWave Therapy appointment you can simply click the "Request an Appointment" button, or email The Comfort Vet at thecomfortvet@gmail.com, or you can text/call (608) 561-1639 and leave a message.

Be sure to have your pet's primary veterinarian share current medical records for your pet to thecomfortvet@gmail.com ahead of time, if possible.

Please also fill out the Comfort Care Intake Form.

Someone will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

PiezoWave Therapy, also known as shockwave therapy and Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a technology that has been available for over 30 years. ESWL has been used in human medicine to break up kidney stones and it has been used successfully to treat pseudoarthrosis, tendinitis, epicondylitis, and heel spur pain. In human medicine it has become a non-surgical tool for treating acute and chronic pain of the musculoskeletal system. The benefits and impact of shockwave therapy in human medicine has been impressively demonstrated in numerous studies and was FDA approved to treat plantar fasciitis in 2000. Once shockwave therapy demonstrated its efficacy in human medicine, the modality began to be used in veterinary medicine. It was originally used in horses for treatment of bone and soft tissue conditions (tendinitis, stress fractures/non-unions, back pain, and navicular syndrome). The use of shockwave in small animals began in the late 1990s and has been used successfully for bone, joint, and tendon injuries, as well as osteoarthritic conditions.

Shockwaves are focused sound compression deliver in a focal zone. The source of shockwaves are generated outside the body (extracorporeal) and the shockwaves are delivered to areas deep inside the body.

PiezoWave therapy works by inducing biomechanics changes in tissue:

• Stimulates new blood vessel formation

• Regulates inflammation

• Releases nitrogen monoxide (NO) which contributes to vasodilation, increases metabolic activity and new blood vessel growth, and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect

• Changes levels of Substance P

• Stimulates bone metabolism

• Releases growth factors

• Exhibits chondroprotective effects (cartilage protection)

• Dissolution of calcified fibroblasts

• Stimulates lubricin production

• Stimulates stem cells

• Antibacterial effects

Conditions that PiezoWave Therapy can be used for include:

• Shoulder disease

• Elbow disease

• Carpal disease

• Intervertebral disc disease

• Lumbosacral stenosis (cauda equina syndrome)

• Hip disease

• Stifle (knee) disease

  • Cranial cruciate disease

  • Patella luxation

  • Long digital extensor tendinopathy

• Tarsal (ankle) disease

• Osteochondritis dessicans (OCD)

• Trigger points

Initial treatment sessions can take around 45-60 minutes. This includes a physical, musculoskeletal and neurologic examination as well as an initial PiezoWave treatment. Follow-up treatments can range from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the animal's condition and extent of PiezoWave therapy needed.

PiezoWave therapy emits a small, focused pulse-like sensation that the patient may feel. The sensation is not very strong and patients usually tolerate the treatment very well. After a treatment session the patient may be tired and need to take it easy for 24-48 hours as their body responds to the care.

Treatment intervals are dependent on the condition being treated and the animal’s individual response. Some patients have a positive response after just one treatment, but most require several treatments before a noticeable improvement will be seen. It is generally recommended to plan for a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments spaced weekly for conditions that are chronic, before expecting to see a lasting response.

Your pet can resume normal activity after a treatment, however it is best to allow them to rest and avoid strenuous exercise or impact such as running for 48-72 hours. Be sure and follow recommendations if your pet is on restricted activity such as leash walks only. It is important to continue the in-home exercises given to help your pet's recovery. Do not use Ice on the site after a treatment. Heat and gentle stretching can be beneficial.