Shockwave Therapy

WHAT IS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?

Shockwave therapy is a medical treatment that has been around for many years. It was originally used in the 1980’s in the treatment of kidney stones. Since then, it has become more increasingly used in other medical fields including orthopedics, cardiovascular disease, chronic prostatitis, and erectile dysfunction.

Shockwave therapy or extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing process. It can relieve pain and promote healing of injured tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. It accomplishes this by increasing blood flow and nutrients to the injured tissues thereby allowing the formation of new and organized tissue fibers. Shockwave therapy is also sometimes referred to as EPAT, or extracorporeal pulse activation technology.

 

HOW DOES SHOCKWAVE THERAPY WORK?

During treatment, the clinician holds the handpiece firmly against the skin at the treatment site. The device then sends powerful acoustic waves to the injured tissues, stimulating increased blood flow and nutrients to the treatment site.  These acoustic waves cause localized microtrauma that stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. This in turn causes a cascade of events leading to stimulation of collagen production and dissolution of calcium build-up that may be present within the injured tissues.  The shock waves are believed to stimulate angiogenesis / (new blood vessel formation) and neurogenesis (new nerve cells formation). 

Shockwave therapy is believed to enhance the dispersion of Substance P, a growth factor and pain mediator from the treatment site.   The reduction of substance P concentration at the treatment area causes a reduction in pain and a decrease in the development of edema and swelling. This is very important for athletes where early restoration of mobility and pain control is very important. 

 

 

ACCELERATION OF HEALING
Increase of collagen synthesis
Production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair process of the damaged musculoskeletal tissues.

Improved metabolism and microcirculation
Shockwave therapy accelerates the removal of nociceptive metabolites, histamine, lactic acid, and other irritating substances. It increases oxygenation and supplies damaged tissue with the required nutrients.

MOBILITY RESTORATION
Dissolution of calcified fibroblasts
Shockwave therapy dissolves calcified fibroblasts and starts subsequent biochemical decalcification of primary calcara or secondary symptoms of arthrosis..

ANALGESIC EFFECT- ELIMINATION OF PAIN
Decrease of muscle tension, inhibition of spasms
Hyperemia is one of the basic effects of shockwave therapy in the body. It provides better energy supply to hypertonic muscles and their ligamentous structures. Furthermore, it causes lessening of pathological interactions between the actin and myosin fibers. This leads to significant reduction of muscle tension.

ENHANCED DISPERSION OF SUBSTANCE P.

The activity of substance P, a pain mediator and growth factor leads to the stimulation of afferent nociceptive (pain) fibers. Substance P also supports the development of edema and the secretion of histamine. Reduction of substance P concentration at the treatment site by shockwave therapy reduces these undesired effects.

CONDITIONS MOST COMMONLY TREATED WITH SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinitis
  • Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Rotator cuff tendinitis
  • Groin pain
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Stress fractures (bone healing)
  • Morton’s Neuroma

HOW LONG ARE SHOCKWAVE SESSIONS?

A typical treatment session usually takes anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the injury, a patient will usually receive three to five treatments over a period of several weeks.

IS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY PAINFUL?

Overall, shockwave therapy is a tolerable procedure. Patients generally report varying amounts of discomfort during treatment.  This is mainly due to the inflammation already present at the injury site. The amount of discomfort depends on the patient’s pain tolerance, the degree of injury, and whether the damaged tissues are close to a bone. Treatments delivered closer to a bone are generally more uncomfortable.  After a few minutes into the treatment session, pain starts to subside as Substance-P gets dispersed from the treatment site.  At the end of the treatment most patients walk out of the office with very minimal to no pain.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY FOLLOWING SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?

Return to activity depends on the type and extent of the injury. Patients with mild injuries may be able to return to activity within a few days. More severe injuries will need resting from activities that trigger pain until full recovery has been attained.

ADJUNCTIVE THERAPIES TO SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Depending on the athlete and type of injury, we may suggest shockwave therapy alone or in combination with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

WHAT IS THE COST OF SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?

Shockwave therapy is a relatively new and affordable treatment. It is generally not covered by many insurance plans. Most patients typically require anywhere from three to five sessions spaced at 5-10 days apart.  Call us on 7208180533 for a free consultation and pricing.