Noninvasive pain therapies gain attention in chronic care
A recent Vet Blast podcast from dvm360 highlighted a familiar but still developing theme in veterinary medicine: chronic pain care is becoming more multimodal, more rehabilitation-focused, and, in some cases, less dependent on drugs alone. In the episode, host Adam Christman spoke with Nicole Westfall, senior vice president of marketing at Zomedica, about PulseVet shock wave therapy and the Assisi Loop, framing both as noninvasive options for patients with chronic pain. The dvm360 article notes the discussion covered how the products work, their clinical use, and what at-home sessions can look like for pet parents. (dvm360.com)
That message lands in a broader clinical environment that’s already shifting. AAHA’s 2022 Pain Management Guidelines for dogs and cats stress that pain care is still evolving and recommend a multimodal approach that combines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, regular reassessment, client education, and individualized plans. In other words, the podcast’s focus on shock wave and PEMF-based options isn’t a standalone trend, but part of a wider move toward layered chronic pain management, particularly for osteoarthritis and other long-course musculoskeletal conditions. (aaha.org)
On the company side, Zomedica describes PulseVet as a high-energy focused sound wave therapy platform for animals, and says it’s used for conditions including osteoarthritis, soft tissue injury, and back pain. The company also markets Assisi as a take-home PEMF option, and in the dvm360 transcript Westfall said a standard loop session lasts 15 minutes, with 150 treatments per loop, while the Loop Lounge is designed for repeated use. Zomedica’s latest publicly available business update also suggests therapeutics remain a meaningful commercial category for the company: in its November 4, 2025, third-quarter results, Zomedica reported $6.7 million in therapeutic device revenue, driven by PulseVet and Assisi. (pulsevet.zomedica.com)
The evidence base is growing, but it’s still not settled. A randomized, double-blinded trial published in 2026 evaluated extracorporeal shock wave therapy in client-owned dogs with refractory elbow and stifle osteoarthritis, adding fresh data to a field that has often relied on smaller studies and case series. Broader review literature in veterinary rehabilitation describes ESWT as a noninvasive modality with potential applications in osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, fracture healing, and wound healing. At the same time, a systematic review of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine found that some indications, including osteoarthritis in dogs, remain promising but still need stronger evidence. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Industry and professional reaction reflects that same mix of interest and caution. In equine practice, the AAEP’s position statement, approved in 2025, says shockwave therapy is a valuable tool for certain musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, but emphasizes contraindications, operator training, individualized protocols, monitoring, and, for competition horses, awareness of withdrawal rules. That mirrors how many rehabilitation-minded small animal clinicians are approaching these modalities: useful in selected cases, but best deployed as part of a broader plan rather than as a standalone fix. (aaep.org)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is less about one sponsored podcast and more about where chronic pain medicine is heading. Clinics are under pressure to offer options for patients who can’t tolerate long-term NSAID escalation, need added support beyond pharmaceuticals, or would benefit from rehab-centered care that pet parents can continue at home. Shock wave therapy and PEMF may help practices expand those options, but they also raise practical questions about case selection, evidence thresholds, staff training, client expectations, pricing, and how outcomes are measured. The AAHA framework suggests the right lens is integration: these therapies may be most useful when they’re embedded in structured multimodal plans that include analgesics when appropriate, weight management, rehabilitation, mobility support, and follow-up reassessment. (aaha.org)
There’s also a business and workflow angle. Device-based pain therapies can create new service lines and recurring touchpoints with pet parents, but they require capital investment and a clear clinical story. Zomedica’s reported therapeutic device revenue growth suggests market demand is real, yet the literature still doesn’t support treating every chronic pain patient the same way. For hospitals considering adoption, the practical takeaway is to separate commercial enthusiasm from evidence-based implementation, and to define in advance which cases, endpoints, and follow-up intervals will justify use. That’s an inference based on the combination of company growth data, guideline language, and the still-maturing research base. (biospace.com)
What to watch: Watch for more controlled companion-animal studies, clearer protocol standardization, and stronger guidance on where shock wave and at-home PEMF fit relative to drugs, rehab, and regenerative medicine in chronic pain pathways. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)