Shockwave Therapy
Extracorpeal Shockwave therapy is a modern and highly effective treatment method that provides high-energy sound waves into painful areas of the body. In the medical world, shock waves have been used since the 1980s to disintegrate kidney stones. Modern therapy has seen these shock waves being introduced to the body by means of a freely moving hand piece that covers the entire pain region to allow pathological alterations of tendons, ligaments, capsules, muscles and bones.
The radial therapy head, is a compressed air operated, ballistic shock wave generator. A projectile is accelerated by compressed air. The kinetic energy stored in the motion and weight of the projectile is converted into acoustic energy in the form of long-wave shock pulses when the projectile strikes a transmitter. These acoustic pulses are then further transmitted to the target tissue by means of a protective cap and gel.
With its Swiss pioneering technology, we are setting new non-surgical standards in orthopaedic / musculoskeletal and aesthetic therapy. This eliminates the source of pain and mobility restoration, to speed up recovery and cure various indications causing acute or chronic pain. Our innovative treatment plans allow pathological alterations of tendons, ligaments, capsules, muscles and bones - in other words the root causes of your pain - to be eliminated systematically.
Mechanism of Action
Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to painful spots and musculoskeletal tissues with subacute, sub-chronic and chronic conditions. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues. Extracorpeal Shockwave Therapy can be used and has been shown effective in Tendon, Bone, Muscle and Tissue conditions.
Analgesic Pain Relief
ESWT stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides Substance P and Calcitonin Gene Related Peptides (CGRP) that mediate pain information. Once Substance P is released it promotes multiplication of cells required for repair or replacement, growth of new blood vessels. Pain Med. 2011, 1532-7; J Ortho Res. 2005, 932-4. Reduction of pain with ESWT can start as early as 2 - 5 minutes and may last for 2 - 4 weeks. Anaesth. Pain Med. 2016 1-6(4).
New Blood Vessel Formation
Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue. Studies have shown that the application of acoustic waves creates capillary micro-ruptures in tendon and bone post ESWT. (Wang 2002, Nishada, 2004). This increase in blood flow may play a part in pain relief and healing of chronic tendinopathies. Martinez et al., (2008); Mantovani et al., (2013).
Simulation of Collagen Production
The production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged musculoskeletal and ligamentous structures. (Vetrano, 2011) This has also been shown to have positive effects on non-union fractures and callus formation. (Friara and Berta, 2011)
Reversal of Chronic Inflammation
Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be increased by using pervasive acoustic waves. (Friara, 2011).
Dissolution of Calcified Fibroblasts
Calcium build-up is most often the result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications.
Release of Trigger Points
Trigger points are the principal cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulder and limbs. Delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases the trigger points.
Scar Tissue Remodelling
There is increased evidence of ESWT in wound healing and tissue regeneration mainly through fibroblast proliferation and ingrowth of new capillary beds that may induce fibrotic tissue to be reduced during initial repair and remodelled in scar tissue. (Christina d'Agostina et al. 2015).
