What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing. It is commonly used in orthopedics, urology, and sports medicine. By delivering high-energy sound waves to the affected area, shockwave therapy triggers the body's natural healing response, promoting new blood vessel formation, cell growth, and reducing pain. It is used to treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendinopathy, tennis elbow, arthritis, calcific tendonitis, and erectile dysfunction.
How It Works
The shockwave uses the characteristics of the acoustic wave to generate energy. The shockwave can penetrate about 4-6cm into the skin at a frequency of 1-16HZ. It acts on the periosteum layer to cause strong resonance and rotation within tissue cells. Then the local heat increases and the temperature rises instantly to above 30°C, thus promoting blood flow, stimulating damaged cells, activating collagen cells and promoting the reorganization of fibrous connective tissue.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) elicits four distinct reaction phases on tissue: physical, physicochemical, chemical, and biological. In the physical phase, shockwaves exert positive pressure, facilitating energy absorption, reflection, refraction, and transmission within tissues and cells. Moreover, cavitation appears to enhance cell membrane permeability and ionization of biological molecules. The physicochemical phase involves biochemical reactions triggered by the physical stimulus. ESWT stimulates the release of biomolecules, such as ATP, which activates cell signaling pathways. In the chemical phase, shockwaves modify the functioning of ion channels in cell membranes and mobilize calcium. Finally, the biological phase encompasses ESWT’s role in modulating angiogenesis, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, and promoting healing of bone and soft tissue wounds.
Shockwave Therapy: The Best Physiotherapy in the World
Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic waves to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. It promotes blood flow, releases growth factors, and reduces pain. In orthopedics, it accelerates the healing of tendon and ligament injuries, wounds, fractures and relieves osteoarthritis. It can also be used for animals, especially the treatment of kissing spines. In urology, it treats erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease by breaking down plaques and improving blood flow. Besides, it produces promising results in post-surgery recovery to help patients heal faster and easier.
Orthopedics:
Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment option for tendon and ligament injuries, such as Achilles tendonitis, knee tendonitis, rotator cuff syndrome, plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. It aims to repair damaged scar tissue caused by excessive pressure or stress.
By utilizing wave energy, shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, promoting the repair of tendons, ligaments, and scar tissue. The targeted wave energy breaks down damaged tissue and triggers the body’s repair mechanisms. Advanced shockwave technology ensures comfortable healing, with controlled therapy and consideration for chronic pain. The spread-out nature of the wave energy minimizes inflammation concerns around the injured area, providing relief and facilitating recovery for patients.
Shockwave therapy impacts cellular function and stimulates the expression of genes and growth factors that help to facilitate wound healing. The shockwaves prompt an immediate response, triggering increased cellular activity in the treated area. This treatment accelerates cellular proliferation, expediting cell division and the formation of new tissue for wound healing. Based on extensive experimental and clinical evidence, it can be inferred that ESWT has the potential to enhance both the healing process and regenerative mechanisms in wounds.
Shockwave therapy is an innovative treatment modality that harnesses the power of strong energy pulses to target the affected area. By precisely applying these pulses for short durations, the therapy effectively stimulates the cells responsible for bone and connective tissue healing. Notably, this approach presents a beacon of hope for those suffering from fractures, as it offers a promising means to accelerate the recovery process and facilitate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. With its potential to alleviate the excruciating pain associated with fractures, shockwave therapy revolutionizes the way we enhance healing and restore well-being.
ESWT utilizes shockwaves to deliver optimal results in the treatment of osteoarthritis. It can greatly speed the healing of meniscal degeneration and play a protective role against osteoarthritis. It increases activity among chondrocytes to decrease cartilage fissuring and chondrocyte apoptosis. ESWT exerts consistent and beneficial chondroprotective effect in earlier or later stage cases as well. What’s more, ESWT has shown promise in relieving pain as well as improving motor function in animal models and human trials.
Kissing spines, also referred to as overriding dorsal spinous processes, is a painful condition in horses wherein their vertebrae rub against each other and causes pain and inflammation. ESWT is a safe and noninvasive treatment option that utilizes acoustic waves to promote tissue regeneration while decreasing inflammation-it has proven very effective at healing kissing spines as well as many other conditions, like sesamoiditis, ringbone, suspensory ligament injury.
Urology:
Low-intensity shockwave therapy is gaining popularity as a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). By applying low-intensity shockwaves to the penis and surrounding areas, this therapy breaks down plaque in the penile blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow and vascular repair. This innovative approach offers a promising solution for individuals seeking to enhance their sexual function without the need for medication or invasive procedures.
Peyronie’s disease is a condition that affects the connective tissue of the penis, with a prevalence ranging from 0.5% to 20.3% among males. It is featured by the presence of fibrotic plaques in the tunica albuginea. It can lead to penile curvature or deviation, painful erections, and sexual dysfunction.
In the management of Peyronie’s disease, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has shown potential benefits. Studies have verified its great efficacy in alleviating persistent penile pain and leading to the reduction of plaque size. ESWT offers a non-invasive treatment option for individuals with Peyronie’s disease, aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
Other Conditions:
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can aid in post-surgery recovery. By delivering sound waves to the affected area, it stimulates tissue regeneration, improves blood circulation, and accelerates healing. The shockwaves help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling, promoting faster recovery and restoring functionality. Additionally, it can help break down scar tissue, improve range of motion, and enhance tissue flexibility. With its ability to enhance the body’s natural healing mechanisms, shockwave therapy offers a safe and effective approach to support post-surgery recovery, allowing individuals to regain their mobility and quality of life more swiftly.
Clinically Used for:
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendinopathy
Tennis Elbow
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Patellar Tendinopathy
Calcific Tendinitis
Bursitis
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Peyronie’s Disease
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)
Prostatitis
Chronic Wounds
Myofascial Trigger Points
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Fibromyalgia
Stress Fractures
Equine Lameness (Horses)
Kissing Spines (Horses)
Canine Osteoarthritis (Dogs)
Benefits of Electromagnetic Shockwave Therapy
- Clinically proven efficacy
- No anesthesia required
- Safe and effective
- Fast and pain-free
- Long-lasting results
- Non-invasive treatment with no incisions or scarring
- Cost-effective compared to traditional procedures
- Future treatment options are not limited
Electromagnetic Shockwave VS Pneumatic Shockwave
Similarities:
Both electromagnetic and pneumatic shockwave therapies operate on the therapeutic principle of generating acoustic waves that are directed to the specific area of the body in need of treatment. These waves stimulate the body’s natural healing process and facilitate tissue regeneration. Additionally, both modalities are non-invasive, providing treatment options that do not require surgical intervention. They are effective in treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions such as tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis, and muscle injuries.
Differences:
From Struggles to Strength: Transform Your Life with Electromagnetic Shockwave Therapy
With a rich history dating back to the 1980s, shockwave therapy has emerged as a leading non-invasive treatment option. Today, it stands at the forefront of physical therapy, offering a multitude of benefits. This clinically proven advanced technology ensures patient well-being throughout the procedure, making it a reliable choice for healthcare professionals.
Clinical applications span various fields, including orthopedics, urology, dermatology, and rehabilitation medicine. Patients have reported significant improvements in pain reduction, tissue healing, and overall function. Their testimonials speak volumes about the effectiveness and transformative power of shockwave therapy.
Shockwave therapy has surpassed other physical treatment modalities, showcasing its effectiveness and versatility in promoting healing. Embracing cutting-edge technology, it continues to revolutionize the way we approach healthcare and provide optimal outcomes for patients worldwide.
Electromagnetic Shockwave
Reviews
“After just five sessions of shockwave therapy for my arthritis, I have regained normal mobility and activities! It's truly incredible how this treatment has transformed my life. The pain is significantly reduced, and I can now enjoy daily activities without limitations. I am grateful for the effectiveness of shockwave therapy in treating my arthritis. Highly recommended!”
"Thanks to shockwave therapy, my horse with kissing spines has made remarkable progress. With just four treatment sessions, he can now walk normally without any signs of discomfort. The improvement is astounding! ESWT has given my horse a new lease on life and restored his mobility. It’s the best physiotherapy for equine health!"
FAQS
Scientific Support
Abstracts Worth Recommending
Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12178-010-9067-2
Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction
https://academic.oup.com/smr/article-abstract/6/4/624/6830836
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Treatment of Osteoarthritis in the Horse: Clinical Applications
https://www.vetequine.theclinics.com/article/S0749-0739(05)00054-4/fulltext
Effects of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Their Dynamic Balance Ability
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpts/26/1/26_jpts-2013-262/_article/-char/ja/
The Effectiveness of Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Heel Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2474-6-19
Can Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Improve Erectile Function? A 6-Month Follow-up Pilot Study in Patients with Organic Erectile Dysfunction
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302283810003040
A Meta-analysis of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Peyronie’s Disease
https://www.nature.com/articles/ijir201624