When Should You Consider Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is often used as a first-line treatment for people with painful kidney stones or other conditions that affect the joints. It may also be used as a follow-up treatment if initial treatments like medication or dietary changes were unsuccessful.
Shockwave therapy is generally a safe procedure and is often used as a first-line treatment for smaller stones in the kidneys. Larger stones may require a procedure called ureteroscopy, in which a thin tube is passed through the bladder into the ureters to remove the stone.
Shockwave Therapyfrequently Asked Questions
Shockwave Therapy: Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology .
This treatment is the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatment method cleared by the FDA for chronic heel pain associated with Achilles Tendonitis, Heel Spurs, or Plantar Fasciitis.
This technology is based on a unique set of pressure waves that stimulate your metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals.
This FDA-cleared technology was developed in Europe and is currently used around the globe. The beneficial effects are often experienced after only 3 treatments. Some patients report immediate pain relief after the treatment, although it can take up to 4 weeks for pain relief. Treatments eliminate pain and restore full mobility, thus improving your quality of life. More than 80% of patients treated report to be pain free and/or have significant pain reduction.
Low frequency sound waves, also known as shock waves, are aimed at the injured area through a hand held applicator.
The shock waves penetrate deep into the soft tissues, stimulating blood flow, accelerating the bodys natural healing process.
Treatment sessions take approximately 5-10 minutes depending on the disorder being treated.
Generally, 4 treatment sessions are necessary at weekly intervals.
During treatments, patients may experience some discomfort which may continue for a few days.
What Is Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses sound waves to break up or fragment large kidney stones. The sound waves are delivered through a device called a lithotriptor, which is placed on the skin near the treatment area. The device delivers high-pressure sound waves that travel through the skin and break up the stones so they can be more easily passed through the urinary tract.
Shockwave therapy is also used to treat various soft tissue injuries, including plantar fasciitis and knee pain caused by iliotibial band syndrome and chondromalacia.
Don’t Miss: At Home Light Therapy For Acne
Advantages Of Acoustic Wave Therapy
Used to treat the causes rather than symptoms
It is a safe and non-invasive treatment method that has zero side effects
It is not a painful procedure as there are no incisions made
It only takes a few days to start noticing results
When used to treat E.D., spontaneous erections are improved
The method has proven lasting results
There is 69-70% Rate of Success
Compatible with other medications
Acoustic Pressure: What To Expect
During a sound wave therapy session, our patients are able to sit back, relax, enjoy music, take a nap or read without the need to disrobe. Patients that receive Sound Wave Therapy report feeling a warm, tingling sensation throughout their entire body. The feeling was around the affected areas. The tingling sensation manifests due to increased circulation by helping to dilate blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
After or during the session, patients experience a noticeable boost of energy. Some clients have a delay in healing as circulation continues to increase and inflammation continues to decrease for hours after the session.
Also Check: Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Cause Weight Gain
What To Expect From Treatment
Acoustic wave treatment at Bailey Health Solutions in St. Augustine is noninvasive. Gel is applied to the treatment area and the patient will hear a clicking sound as acoustic waves are released through their skin via the applicator.
Many patients report immediate pain relief after treatment. Depending on the condition, maximum benefits are usually experienced from receiving between 2 and 5 treatments.
Treatment with Acoustic wave therapy has virtually no side effects. In some cases, patients may experience minor discomfort for a few days. Patients can return to work after treatments and in most cases there is no down time.
This technology has a 91% success rate as per clinical studies, and patients treated report being pain free and /or have a significant reduction in pain. This non-surgical therapy eliminates pain and restores mobility, thus improving the patients quality of life.
Acoustic wave therapys proven success rate is as effective, or more effective than other methods of treatment such as surgery or pharmaceuticals. It also comes without the risks, complications and long recovery times of more invasive procedures.
Most people are good candidates for acoustic wave therapy, however, patients who are pregnant, have a pacemaker or cancer near the problem area are not suitable for this treatment.
How Shockwave Therapy Treats Muscle And Joint Pain
Musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions are some of the most common long-term health issues. In fact, over 90 percent of Canadians will require orthopedic treatment at some point in their life. Shockwave therapy was first used to treat kidney and gallstones over time, it has proven successful in helping to heal many chronic conditions and lingering pain from a wide range of ailments. SWT is typically administered when more conservative methods have not provided adequate relief or healing. This non-invasive and relatively low-risk option is an effective method to add to your physiotherapy treatment plan.
Shockwave therapy creates a series of short, high-energy, pulsating acoustic waves that stimulate the bodys own natural healing response. Some patients report reduced pain and improved mobility after just the first session.
Also Check: Clinical Effects Hair Therapy Shampoo
This Physical Therapy Technique May Relieve Knee Pain
Therapeutic ultrasound is used in physical therapy to treat pain and loss of joint function due to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in the joints breaks down over time. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis causes joint pain and stiffness that can interfere with everyday activities. This article discusses how ultrasound therapy works and how it can help treat osteoarthritis in the hip and knee. It also looks at the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound on knee and hip pain.
Comparison Of Acoustic Wave Therapy Vs Shockwave Therapy
When it comes down to the difference between Acoustic Wave Therapy vs. Shock Wave Therapy, the answer is they are two different types of Pulse Wave Therapy. Pulse Wave Therapies are non-invasive and painless procedures that use low-intensity acoustic waves to treat certain conditions resulting from poor blood flow. These therapies can help to improve blood flow by eliminating plaque build-up. They can also help stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, repair damaged tissues and reduce scar tissue.
Also Check: Water And Sports Physical Therapy
Effect Of Eswt On Cartilage
Cartilage destruction is one of the most obvious changes associated with OA. Wang et al. demonstrated a significant decrease in articular cartilage degradation via safranin-O staining and Mankin scores after the application of ESWT with 800 impulses at 14 kV for the treatment of OA in a rat model of anterior cruciate ligament transection . Interestingly, they assessed pathological changes of cartilage on different locations of the knee after ESWT in early stage OA in Rats. They found ESWT treated medial femur and tibia condyles had been proved better than medial tibia condyle, medial femur condyle as well as medial and lateral tibia condyles in gross osteoarthritis areas, osteophyte formation, thickness of calcified and un-calcified cartilage analysis, cartilage damage and proteoglycan loss.
Additionally, Hashimoto et al. suggested that ESWT could accelerate the healing of meniscal tears in avascular regions that might contribute to OA progression in a rat model. Specifically, ESWT promoted the healing of avascular tears by stimulating the proliferation of meniscal cells and the up-regulation of cartilage-repairing factors, including CCN2, SOX9, aggrecan and Col2a1, leading to the increased production of cartilage-specific extracellular matrix.
How Long Does It Take To Recover After Shockwave Therapy
Once your treatment is finished, youll be able to go home and return to work and your normal daily activities straight away. You should avoid high impact exercise such as running or playing tennis for the first 48 hours after treatment.
If you feel any discomfort, you can take paracetamol if youre able, but avoid taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller such as ibuprofen as it will counteract the treatment and render it useless.
In the days following shockwave therapy, you may experience swelling and redness in the treated area. This can make your pain feel worse, but this is indicative of the healing process, is completely normal and will subside within a day or two.
Recommended Reading: Entry Level Physical Therapy Jobs
How Does Shock Wave Therapy Work
Essentially, the sound wave, which has no electrical current,takes a chronically dormant and injured cell and converts it to an acutely injured cell, causing it to rebuild. The sound wave causes an increase in blood flow and metabolic activity around the site of injury and stimulates the bodyâs natural self-healing process. The shock waves break down injured tissue and calcifications in the area.
The break-down of scar tissue is the key to why shock wave therapy is so effective. Unlike normal elasticated tissue, scar tissue is non-elastic and will prevent normal movement and function. The scar tissue weakens the unaffected tissue surrounding it, often causing further damage and pain. By increasing circulation and breaking down scar tissue, shock wave therapy will stimulate cell regeneration and promote normal healing and rapid reduction of pain. Normal function can then be restored.
Mechanisms For Generating Therapeutic Shock Waves
There are three types of ESWT devices, which generate high-energy, focused shock waves. They consist of electrohydraulic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric devices. All of these mechanisms convert electrical energy into a pressure wave within a fluid media . No significant difference in effectiveness between these different methods of producing shock waves has yet been demonstrated. The FDA has approved electrohydraulic devices for treatment of multiple conditions in humans. Both Dr. Schenck and Dr. Smith use the VersaTron electrohydraulic device.
A fourth type of device produces low- to medium-energy radial waves, also called ballistic or pressure waves. This type of treatment is most accurately called radial pressure wave therapy , but is also sometimes referred to as radial shock wave therapy , unfocused shock wave therapy, or grouped together with ESWT. RPWT utilizes a projectile mechanism to stimulate a pressure wave.
You May Like: Performance Physical Therapy Wayne Nj
One Dogs Remarkable Eswt Improvement
Dr. Smith told me about another dog he had treated a year earlier. Utah is a mixed breed , weighs 45 pounds, and was 11 years old when she received shock wave therapy.
Utahs owner, Jane Rosett, MD, of Kelseyville, California, gave me the details. Utah had problems with one elbow for many years, eventually reaching the point where she couldnt put weight on the leg at all, says Rosett. Like Piglet, Utah was given two shock wave treatments, one month apart. I didnt see any improvement after the first treatment, and in fact I think she got a little worse. I was disturbed, as I thought I would see progress right away. But Dr. Smith explained that it can take some time for bone changes to take place, Rosett continues.
Then it happened. Two to three weeks after the second treatment, she suddenly began running around like a puppy again! says Rosett. The improvement was rapid and dramatic, and shes been sound ever since, with only occasional mild limping.
Rosett offered a recent update on her 12-year-old dog, about a year and a half after the treatment. Utah had been doing so well that I hadnt been giving her any medicine at all until a few weeks ago, when she began limping off and on. Ill probably be taking her to see Dr. Smith for another treatment soon.
Using Ultrasound To Treat Arthritis
There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Each type can cause a variety ofsymptoms, but there are some commonalities. The main benefit in using Ultrasoundtherapy to help patients with arthritis, is it has been proven to help improvecommon symptoms, including:
- pain
- inflammation
- swelling
While most patients may be tempted to use over-the-counter painrelievers, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and other drugs, they can bringside effects, particularly with prolonged use.
Recommended Reading: Benchmark Physical Therapy Canton Ga
How Does It Work
The Soft Wave Therapy device delivers high energy sound waves to painful and injured areas of the body. It works by helping to stimulate and improve your own healing capability by enhancing blood circulation and the bodys own stem cells to regenerate damaged tissue.
Beneficial effects are often experienced in only one or two treatments and there is no downtime! This non-surgical treatment can eliminate pain, restore mobility and significantly improve your quality of life.
- Bone on bone joint deterioration
- Non-healing bone fractures
Will Soft Wave Therapy help me?
Most patients with chronic problems have been through various unsuccessful types of treatments. Up to 80% of the same patients, worldwide report that Soft Wave therapy has helped them eliminate their problems.
Does the treatment hurt?
There is discomfort during the treatment, depending on the level of pain the patient is already experiencing in the area. However, since the treatment lasts only about 5-10 minutes. More patients can tolerate the discomfort. Additionally, the intensity of the treatment can be adjusted throughout the session.
How many treatments will I need?
How often will I need the treatment?
Most conditions require treatments that are done 3-10 days apart depending on the patients tolerance and their tissue response.
Will I feel pain after the treatment?
What are after-treatment care treatment recommendations?
How Effective Is Shockwave Therapy
Scientists insist that shockwave therapy for osteoarthritis is a revolutionary treatment. Many patients will notice reduced stress and pain after the first session. And, with consistent treatment combined with improving posture, exercise, and diet, patients may be able to live with only minor discomfort.
Recommended Reading: Difference Between Coaching And Therapy
Is Sound Wave Therapy The Same As Ultrasound Therapy
No. Acoustic wave therapy uses sound waves that have much lower frequencies compared to ultrasound therapy , eliminating some of the risks associated with ultrasound treatments, including the possibility of tissue burns and cell damage. Acoustic wave therapy treatment is not associated with adverse side effects, making it a safer treatment option. Whats more, the wave device used during therapy doesnt interfere with implanted devices like pacemakers or pain pumps.
How Many Treatments Will You Need
Most people will require more than one treatment to see optimal results. In fact, its common to need at least one to three treatments spaced two to four weeks apart to see any significant results from this treatment. We will be able to determine the number of treatments you will need based on how well you respond to this treatment and the expectations you have for your results.
Also Check: What Are The Benefits Of Red Light Therapy
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, SWT has become a technique used by many physiotherapists to treat musculoskeletal conditions involving connective tissues through the patients skin via a gel medium. A physiotherapist applies a special handheld probe onto the affected area for a short period of time. When used properly, shockwave therapy increases blood flow, breaks apart scar tissue, and reduces pain and muscle spasms.
SWT is typically administered once a week for three to six weeks. Each session lasts anywhere from five minutes to about 30, depending on the severity of the condition. While it may cause mild discomfort, the physiotherapist will adjust the level of intensity to keep you comfortable. SWT does not involve the use of needles or anesthetics and you can usually resume your normal activities the next day.
Shockwave therapy affects the body in several ways:
- Repairs Cell Tissue The acoustic wave stimulus has a direct effect on the chemical environment of tissues at a cellular level. It changes and releases free radicals to prevent inflammation.
- Increases Circulation The body requires regular blood flow to speed up the healing process. High-energy sound waves generate a revascularization effect, which increases blood circulation into the affected area and boosts the healing and regeneration of soft tissues.
Electric Shock Wave Therapy Safety Issues
ESWT is generally considered safe, though high-intensity or prolonged treatment might be capable of damaging tissue or bone. The energy intensity matters more than the number of pulses. It is possible that the analgesic effect can lead to overuse, which would make injury more likely, so its important to moderately restrict activity as needed for a few days following treatment.
Care must be taken during treatment to avoid the brain, heart, lungs and intestines, as well as neurovascular structures . ESWT is not recommended for dogs with clotting disorders due to the potential for bruising. Dogs that are immune-compromised may not respond as well to therapy, which is thought to rely on the bodys own immune system for healing. With proper use, side effects are insignificant, limited to some bruising of the skin where the pulses are applied if bubbles are present or good contact with the probe cannot be achieved. Treatment requires an in-depth knowledge of canine anatomy, and so should only be done by a veterinarian or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian by someone who has been trained in this procedure.
Read Also: Physical Therapy For Broken Ribs
Shockwave Therapy: Home Therapy For Pain Relief And More
Home therapy with shockwave treatments is a new and growing field of medicine that is gaining in popularity. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to help heal the body. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, sports injuries, and depression.
There are many different types of home shockwave therapy machines available, and they can be used in a variety of ways. Some machines emit short, quick bursts of sound, while others emit longer, slower waves. You can use these machines at home, or you can visit a therapist who will use the machine on you. T
There are many benefits to using shockwave therapy for treatment purposes. First of all, it is an extremely effective treatment for chronic pain. Shockwave therapy has been shown to be more effective than other types of pain relief medications in treating chronic pain conditions such as