Shockwave Therapy

How does shockwave/MyACT work?

Shockwave is a medical treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. It has been used in various medical fields, including orthopedics, sports medicine, urology, and physiotherapy. It’s the same mechanism used in lithotripsy, which is used to break up kidney stones, but with a reduced intensity. The basic method behind shockwave therapy is to deliver mechanical energy to the damaged tissue, which can promote healing and pain relief. Here's how it works:

• Mechanism of Action: Shockwave therapy uses a device that generates high-energy acoustic waves. When these waves are applied to the body, they create a mechanical force that can have several effects:

• Pain Reduction: Shockwaves can disrupt the transmission of pain signals, providing immediate pain relief.

• Cellular Stimulation: They stimulate cellular processes that are crucial for tissue regeneration and healing. This includes the recruitment of stem cells.

• Neovascularization: The treatment can stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, which is important for tissue healing.

• Dissolution of Calcifications: Shockwaves can break down calcifications or deposits in certain tissues, such as in the treatment of tendinopathies.

What conditions are treated with shockwave?

We use the Piezowave2 to treat a variety of conditions including:

• Plantar Fasciitis: Shockwave therapy is commonly used to treat plantar fasciitis, a painful condition that affects the heel and the bottom of the foot.

• Tendinopathies: Shockwave therapy can be effective in the treatment of various tendon-related conditions, including:

• Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation or degeneration of the Achilles tendon.

• Patellar Tendonitis: Inflammation of the patellar tendon, often referred to as "jumper's knee."

• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Conditions affecting the tendons of the rotator cuff in the shoulder.

• Epicondylitis: This includes conditions like lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), which are characterized by pain and inflammation in the elbow tendons.

• Calcific Shoulder Tendinopathy: Shockwave therapy can help break down calcium deposits in the shoulder tendons.

• Chronic Pain Conditions: It may be used for managing chronic pain in various areas of the body, such as the lower back or hip.

• Stress Fractures: In some cases, shockwave therapy can assist in the healing of stress fractures.

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) has been investigated as a treatment for ED by improving blood flow to the penile tissue.

What Should Patients Expect During Treatment?

1. 1. Your clinician will find the injured area that needs to be treated.

2. 2. They will apply a layer of ultrasound gel over the injured area

3. 3. The clinician will start the treatment at a low intensity and gradually increase the output as needed.

4. 4. As the clinician moves the therapy source around the injured area, you may feel a dull ache that is familiar to you as the pain you feel while living with the condition. The session will take between 10-15 minutes.

5. 5. At the end of the treatment, you can return to your usual activities. You may notice areas of redness at the site of treatment.

How long does it take?

• A typical PiezoWave2 treatment takes between 10 and 20 minutes

• Typically, 1-2 treatments per week are performed

• A total of 3-5 treatments may be necessary before lasting improvement is achieved

• With acute pain, a single session is often successful
  
  

Is it Safe?

Absolutely, there’s no risk involved when using the PiezoWave. The treatment is 100% non-invasive, no anesthesia needed, and no painful injections or surgery involved!