Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a multidisciplinary device used in orthopedics, physiotherapy, sports medicine, urology, and veterinary medicine. Its main assets are fast pain relief and mobility restoration. Together with being a non-surgical therapy with no need for painkillers makes it an ideal therapy to speed up recovery and cure various indications causing acute or chronic pain.
Mechanisms of Action
Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to painful spots and myoskeletal tissues with subacute, subchronic and chronic conditions. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons, and other soft tissues.
Shockwaves are characterized by jump change in pressure, high amplitude, and non-periodicity.
The kinetic energy of the projectile, created by compressed air, is transferred to the transmitter at the end of the applicator and further into the tissue.
Medical Effects
New Blood Vessel Formation
Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue structure. The application of acoustic waves creates capillary microruptures in tendon and bone. Due to microruptures the expression of growth factors such as eNOS, VEGF, PCNS and BMP is significantly increased.
As a result of these processes, arterioles are remodeled, stimulated to grow, and new ones are formed. The new blood vessels improve blood supply and oxygenation of the treated area and support faster healing of both the tendon and the bone.
Reversal of Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation occurs when the inflammatory response is not completely halted. It can damage healthy tissue and result in chronic pain. Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be increased by using pervasive acoustic waves.
Mast cell activation is followed by the production of chemokines and cytokines. These pro-inflammatory compounds first enhance the inflammatory process and in the next step help restore normal healing and regenerative processes.
Stimulation of Collagen Production
The production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged myoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Shockwave therapy accelerates procollagen synthesis. The therapy forces the newly created collagen fibers into a longitudinal structure which makes the newly formed tendon fibers more dense and stiff and creates a firmer structure.
Dissolution of Calcified Fibroblasts
Calcium build-up is most often a result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications. Shockwave therapy starts the biochemical decalcification of the calcium build-up of a toothpaste-like consistency and treats the tendon. The granular particles of calcium are then removed by the lymphatic system.
Dispersion of Pain Mediator “Substance P”
Substance P is a neurotransmitter that mediates pain information through C-fibers. This neuropeptide is generally associated with intense, persistent and chronic pain. It relays pain messages to the central nervous system. Lowering the concentration of Substance P reduces the stimulation of afferent nociceptive fibers and thus reduces the pain. Decreasing Substance P, histamines and other nociceptive metabolites also helps inhibit development of inflammatory oedema. Acoustic waves generated by Shockwave therapy lower the Substance P concentration and trigger pain relief.
Release of Trigger Points
Trigger points are the principal cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulder, and limbs. They are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers and have extremely contracted sarcomeres. The dysfunctional sarcomeres contract so tightly that they begin to cut off their own blood supply. This causes the waste products to build up. Waste product build-up irritates the sensory nerve endings which then causes even more contraction. This vicious cycle is referred to as “metabolic crisis”. The assumed mechanism of action is that the delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases the trigger points.
Conditions Treated
Jumpers Knee
Jumper’s knee is an inflammation or injury of the patellar tendon felt as pain, tenderness, and functional deficit. This condition may interfere with or even end your patient’s sporting career regardless the age and is difficult to treat. Shockwave therapy offers simple and immediate solution. Patients feel relief right after the first session and in several treatments, the cause and the pain vanish.
Painful Shoulder
Pain of the shoulder can be caused by e.g. calcifications, impingement syndrome, or frozen shoulder. All the indications are a source of dull to severe pain and limit the patients in their daily life. In calcific tendonitis of the shoulder treated by the Shockwave, the calcification disappears completely in more than 85% of the cases. Significant reduction in pain and improvement in shoulder function is observed after 4 weeks. The solution for a lot of cases is surgery or injections to which Shockwave therapy is a fitting substitute.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a frequent condition occurring in up to 10% of the general population. Unfortunately the conservative treatment of epicondylitis is lengthy (rest), includes medication (pain killers, steroid injections) and often needs repetition. Shockwave therapy on the other hand offers a rather prompt pain relief and cure with efficiency of over 70% in just a maximum of 5 treatments.
Heel Spur
Calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone (heel spur) is closely associated with scarring or inflammation of the plantar fascia (plantar fasciitis). Either of the indications or combined, limit patients in their daily activities. Shockwave treats both of the problems simultaneously. Acoustic waves are responsible for fast recovery, return to daily routine, and long-lasting effects in up to 88% of the patients.
Insertional Pain
Pain in the muscle insertions typically occurs due to repetitive or prolonged activities placing strain on a particular tendon. Through the process of neovascularization, Shockwave therapy encourages more blood flow to the area and hence faster healing without the need for addictive pain medication.
Chronic Tendinopathy
Cumulated microtraumas from repetitive overloading can result in chronic tendinopathy (tendinitis or tendinosis). Tendinopathies at various areas of the body are a widespread diagnosis of both the active persons and the general population. Both inflammation of the tendon and damage on the cellular level are successfully treated with Shockwave. The number of sessions is typically 3–5 with 5–10 days in-between sessions.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Medial tibial stress syndrome typically occurs due to activities placing large amounts of stress through the tibialis anterior muscle. These activities may include fast walking or running (especially up or downhill or on hard or uneven surfaces) or sporting activity (such as kicking sports). Patient is usually restricted from such activities for prolonged periods of time. When treated with Shockwave therapy the passive period is significantly shorter and the recovery time cuts back by at least a half.
Calcifications
Calcifying tendinitis is a chronic painful disorder that is characterized by calcifications in rotator cuff tendons. Such condition causes pain and range of motion limitations. Shockwave therapy is one of the most effective treatments of calcifications. Acoustic waves cause disruption of the calcified entities and support their resorption and elimination by the body. Shockwave significantly decreases treatment length and offers fast relief in chronic stages.
Shockwave Therapy Can Also Treat:
• Carpal Tunnel
• Bone Spurs
• Neuropathy
• Neck Pain
• Elbow Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Knee Pain
• Foot and Ankle Pain
• Scar Tissue
• Stress Fractures
• Sports Injuries
• … and more!
Therapy Sequence
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment. The application is simple and easy. Initiate therapy in 3 steps:
1st: Location of the Area to be Treated
The area to be treated is located using palpation in order to deliver the therapy precisely.
2nd: Gel Application
Sufficient amount of gel is applied to the area located in step 1. Use of gel is necessary to transfer the acoustic waves efficiently and smoothly.
3rd: Therapy Initiation
The Shockwave applicator is slightly pushed against the area to be treated and the start button is pressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Shockwave therapy help me?
Most patients with chronic pain problems have been through various unsuccessful types of treatments. Up to 80% of the same patients worldwide report that Shockwave therapy has helped them eliminate their problem.
Does the treatment hurt?
There may be a slight feeling of 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 five minutes, most patients are able to tolerate this discomfort. Additionally, the intensity of the treatment can be adjusted throughout the session.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so you will typically need more than one (3–5) treatment. Very often though, you will experience relief right after the first treatment.
How often will I need the treatment?
Most indications require 3–5 treatments which are done 3–10 days apart, depending on the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response.
Will I have any pain after the treatment?
Most patients will experience an immediate pain relief following the treatment. However, within 2–4 hours after the treatment, they may experience some soreness in the treated area. This soreness has been reported as tolerable and not limiting.
Are there any restrictions after the treatment?
It is recommended that patients refrain from physical activity, especially one that would involve the treated region, for about 48 hours following each treatment session.