Shockwave therapy has an extensive track record and proven success rate, providing an affordable alternative to surgery or injection of steroids with limited risk and minimal expense.
Research has demonstrated that shockwaves cause mechanical pressure and tension forces which stimulate vascular flow and metabolism to promote tendon, bone and tissue healing.
Studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT therapy to effectively address spasticity in those suffering from cerebral palsy or stroke with upper and lower limb spasticity.
Low-energy
Shockwave therapy is a noninvasive and minimally invasive solution for treating musculoskeletal conditions and pain, by increasing blood flow to damaged tissues while breaking down scar tissue or calcifications, providing lasting results with lasting benefits – making this an excellent alternative to steroid injections. There are various forms of shockwave therapy, but they all use similar technology; their differences lie in how sound waves are delivered to target areas or intended applications.
Multiple clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LE-ESWT) for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), with various variations of ESWT generator types (electrohydraulic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric), amplitude and frequency settings of shockwaves emitted (focused or radial), setting parameters (energy flux density [EFD], number of pulses per session), as well as treatment protocols (duration of treatments per week total number of shockwave pulses delivered, total number of pulses delivered and penile sites of application), have caused variations among published findings.
An applicator placed over the affected area delivers shockwaves via shockwave technology to cause a pulsing sensation within tissue, usually producing mild to moderate discomfort during treatment sessions that typically last 10-12 minutes.
Low-energy shockwaves not only improve vascular system function but also stimulate collagen and peptide production, which helps speed healing while alleviating muscle injury pain. Acoustic shockwaves may also facilitate cell repair by breaking down scar tissue and releasing growth factors.
Low-intensity ESWT is a safe, non-invasive therapy used for patients suffering from chronic erectile dysfunction due to cardiovascular or muscular conditions. It may be taken alone or combined with PDE5i inhibitors; one study concluded it as being effective against non-responders of PDE5i treatments; it may even improve function among men suffering from neurogenic dysfunction as a result of spinal cord injuries or stroke.
High-energy
Shockwave therapy (ESWT) uses shockwaves generated from extracorporeal shockwave technology (ECSWT) to penetrate body tissues and hasten healing. They also stimulate cell regeneration, helping reduce pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions as well as alleviating other symptoms associated with these conditions. ESWT can treat injuries ranging from osteoarthritis to tendonitis as well as improve quality of life for those living with fibromyalgia and reduce chronic pain.
Health professionals typically employ two primary forms of shockwave therapy machines: focused and radial shockwaves. Focused shockwaves can be generated with electromagnetic pulses to target areas of injury or pain while radial ones come from compressed air mechanisms and spread outward from an applicator – each type has unique frequencies which your physiatrist will advise you about best suited to your condition.
ESWT can help those suffering from calcific tendinopathy, Achilles tendinitis, shoulder pain or plantar fasciitis overcome their discomfort and return to their usual activities more quickly. Furthermore, ESWT serves as an excellent preventative measure that keeps muscles and joints healthy by using sound waves to accelerate natural healing processes – offering an alternative to surgery in many instances.
Shockwave therapy is a noninvasive procedure performed in physical therapy offices. Your therapist will apply gel to the area being treated to protect from friction and ensure smooth percussion wave transference, then place the shockwave applicator against your injury and press start button – each session usually lasts four minutes during which around 2000 sound waves will be produced by the machine.
After several treatments, your physician will evaluate your progress and decide if you need to adjust either the frequency or intensity of shockwaves. Shockwave therapy may also be combined with other forms of therapy such as laser therapy, acupuncture or injections for more comprehensive healing. It should be noted that shockwave therapy is not suitable for everyone; those receiving cortisone injections or taking blood-thinning medication should avoid receiving shockwave therapy treatments.
ESWT is now well-documented as an effective treatment option for treating various musculoskeletal conditions, such as calcific tendinopathy. According to one study, high energy level ESWT proved more successful than low energy ESWT for treating this shoulder condition – though more research must be conducted to establish optimal dosage levels of this treatment.
Focused
Shockwave therapy has been used clinically since the 1980s as an innovative noninvasive therapy method. Also referred to as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), shockwave therapy works by passing high-energy shockwaves through the surface of the body in order to target diseased or damaged tissues – speeding healing time while alleviating pain.
Shockwave therapy was initially developed to dissolve kidney stones; however, researchers soon realized its versatility could also treat other conditions, including tendinopathies, fasciopathies, and fractures. Today it is widely utilized at orthopaedic clinics, physiotherapy centres, hospitals worldwide. Furthermore, this noninvasive procedure does not pose any risks or side effects.
Different forms of shockwave therapy use different frequencies, but all work the same way. Acoustic waves created by an electromagnetic system are sent through the body at targeted areas to create acoustic waves which penetrate skin up to 12 cm without harming nearby tissues. Radial and focused shockwave therapies are two popular types; with the former producing unfocused pressure waves which radiate out in all directions at once; while focused shockwave therapy uses higher energy for more concentrated soundwaves.
Shockwave therapy uses shockwaves to cause microtrauma in target tissue and stimulate its own natural healing response, as well as increasing blood flow to an area and increasing elasticity in connective tissues. Shockwave therapy has proven an effective treatment option for injuries like Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and shoulder pain; an ideal surgical alternative.
According to the type of condition being treated, various frequencies are employed in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. For instance, radial ESWT utilizes lower energy levels and is suitable for treating larger areas while focused ESWT requires more power but provides more precise treatments; moreover, its duration exceeds that of radial therapy.
Low intensity shockwave therapy is an excellent way to alleviate pain while stimulating tissue regeneration, such as in rotator cuff tendinopathy or Peyronie’s disease, for instance. Furthermore, this therapy has also shown improvements in penile function for men suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Radial
Shockwave therapy is one of the best solutions available for many painful conditions, and is widely employed at orthopaedic clinics, sports medicine centres and podiatry practices worldwide. The technology works by sending out acoustic waves into the body which stimulate tissue repair and regeneration while breaking down scar tissue and increasing blood flow – usually within several days after beginning treatments with lasting benefits from continuing after-treatment sessions.
Early generation shockwave machines could often be painful and required local anesthesia injections, limiting who could benefit from treatment. Thanks to advances in medical technology, more comfortable and effective devices now exist which make this treatment accessible to a wider range of patients.
Radial shockwave machines produce acoustic waves that radiate out in all directions from an applicator, with frequencies typically between 1 and 21 Hz. Since radial pressure waves don’t penetrate deep into tissue layers, these shockwave machines tend to be better at treating soft-tissue injuries or disorders; conversely focused shockwave machines may penetrate more deeply, making them better-suited for treating bone-related conditions.
Although ESWT remains unclear as a means of action, one theory proposes that its sound waves cause mechanical change to tissue that results in cellular responses and changes in pain modulation. This concept is known as mechanotransduction – how mechanical stimuli lead to changes within cells that lead to proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis of those cells exposed.
Rompe et al conducted a recent study which demonstrated that combining radial shockwave therapy with stretching exercises proved more efficient than using only radial pressure wave therapy to treat proximal plantar fasciopathy. Furthermore, they noted that using both types of treatment was superior.
When using a radial or focused shockwave machine, it is crucial to avoid kinking the air pressure hose and turning on the device without first making contact with a patient as this could damage its equipment. Furthermore, proper protocols must be observed and documented regarding how and when you use the device and document your procedures. Shockwave therapy has proven safe when administered by qualified therapists; most commonly its side effects include slight soreness in treated areas that should subside within several hours following therapy sessions.
