Shockwave Therapy uses focused soundwaves helps heal acute and chronic sports and overuse injuries.
“We’re thrilled to be the first physical therapy clinic in Orange County to offer Shockwave Therapy to our patients.”- Dr. Davis Koh, DPT, MBA, GCS
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) was first introduced in 1980 as a non-invasive tool for breaking down kidney stones and gallstones. Today, it is commonly used in clinics to treat pain in the muscles, tendons, or joints. Many scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of the quick and simple procedure in conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, chronic back pain, and more. With no risks and a high success rate, ESWT is a preferred alternative to surgery or painkillers.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
SWT involves the use of high-energy acoustic sound waves to target the tissue at varying depths. In doing so, the tissue is able to be compressed and manipulated, resulting in a focused and precise deep tissue massage that can lead to increased circulation and pain relief.
The PiezoWave2 (ShockWave Therapy unit) delivers mechanical energy in the form of sound waves to target tissue, including tenocytes in tendons, fibroblasts in ligaments and skin, osteocytes in bone, chondrocytes in articular cartilage, and endothelial cells in blood vessels, which are all highly responsive to mechanical energy. A handheld device is used to send low energy acoustic waves through the skin by way of a conducting gel.
What does Shockwave Therapy do?
Shockwave Therapy localizes trigger points, delivering highly focused acoustic pulses that penetrate precisely to the desired depth. Penetration depths of between 0.5mm and 3 cm are possible, depending on the therapy source. This facilitates cellular repair by increasing blood flow and reducing pain.
Is Shockwave Therapy painful?
How ESWT feels varies from person to person, but most commonly it is described as a slight discomfort instead of unbearable agony. The sensitivity may vary depending on the area being treated; for example, bony regions like hips can be far more tender than those with ample muscle coverage such as calves.
Shockwave Therapy is an effective approach for treating tendinopathies and other pathologies, but it can lead to brief or sometimes extreme discomfort in sensitive areas even after treatment. Shockwaves trigger micro-traumas in minuscule tissues like bones, tendons, and muscles to promote blood flow as well as cell regeneration. These traumas along with the healing process may be what causes this pain sensation.
How many Shockwave Therapy treatments will I need?
With ESWT, you can experience results almost immediately. Typically, two to three treatments over six to twelve weeks (results may vary depending on body region and medical history) are needed for full recovery and long-lasting symptom relief. If it is effective for your condition, the effects of this therapy should start being noticeable right after the initial treatment—if not, we will investigate other possible causes of your symptoms.
What are the risks of Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is an extremely safe procedure with few side effects. Minimal swelling, bruising or tenderness may arise shortly after the therapy but major negative reactions are highly unlikely. Shockwave therapy is a safe procedure for most patients, yet there are certain cases where it should not be employed. The primary contraindications include:
- Pregnancy
- Certain heart conditions or pacemakers
- Taking medication that interferes with blood clotting
Furthermore, depending on the intensity of your symptoms, we may or may not advocate for shockwave therapy if you have neuropathy or hypersensitivity in the target area.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
There are several benefits to using ESWT. Because it is a simple, non-invasive substitute for surgeries or prescription drugs, it is an easy and accessible solution for many chronic conditions. It encourages healing by breaking apart calcifications that can form from trauma to the tendon. ESWT also stimulates the production of collagen, which is necessary for repairing damaged musculoskeletal structures. It gives physical therapist another tool for healing that comes with a relatively fast and easy recovery. At worst, patients may experience some soreness or swelling in the area a few days following the treatment. This is a sign that the body is healing itself as the therapy has encouraged. ESWT also allows for athletes and other patients to quickly address musculoskeletal injuries efficiently so they can get back to play.
- Fast and effective
- Noninvasive treatment
- Release of trigger points
- Stimulates collagen production
- Increase in blood flow
- Stimulates muscle repair and regeneration
Shockwave Therapy have successfully treated the following conditions
- Tennis Elbow
- Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder
- Golfer’s elbow
- Trigger point treatment
- Arthritis
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Medial tibial stress syndrome
- Plantar Tarsalgia
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Myofascial dysfunction
- soft tissue strain
- At Koh PT, we use the most effective modalities from all around the globe to ensure optimal healing. Some of these therapies include Active Release Technique, Therapeutic Taping, Fascia Stretching, and Cold Laser Therapy.
Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
SWT is a safe and non-invasive procedure that helps to enhance blood circulation in the penis for stronger, more enduring erections. This innovative therapy provides you with a natural solution to improve your overall sexual performance without having to resort to surgery or other invasive treatments.
During the treatment, a small wand-like device uses soundwaves to activate penile tissue and promote blood circulation. Low-intensity shockwaves have been demonstrated to generate new capillaries and boost blood flow in the penis – crucial goals for achieving optimum erections.
Shockwave therapy
- Data shows it can stimulate blood flow and potentially help grow new blood vessels.
- A licensed medical professional with professional training is required to administer this treatment.
Candidates for shockwave therapy for ED
This procedure works best for men with erectile dysfunction who:
- are not satisfied with their response to medications, such as Viagra and Cialis
- cannot take medications due to contraindications or adverse effects
- are looking to reverse some of the causes of ED with regenerative therapy
Source
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/1000/fpin-hda-shockwave-therapy-erectile-dysfunction.html