Shock Wave
Never heard of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?
It might sound scary, but don’t fret, it is a well-researched modality clinically proven to increase the rate of tissue healing, tissue regeneration, improve local blood supply, stimulate collagen synthesis and aids in tendon remodeling together with tendon gliding ability.
It is a non-invasive alternative to surgical management for those with many joint and tendon disorders and is used for sub-acute or chronic conditions.
In easy terms, it consists of a high-intensity ultrasound wave, or acoustic shock wave, that is transmitted from a handpiece through the skin in a radial manner to the targeted tissues, where it interacts with the tissues, essentially re-injuring the area on a cellular level and breaking up the scarring that has developed within the tendons and ligaments.
In 1997, EMS patented the first radial shock wave device, the Swiss DolorClast®, based on the ballistic principle. Most of the clinical data collected on shockwave therapy utilized this device.
The delivery of Shockwave Therapy is short in time, usually lasting just a few minutes, with tissue changes lasting weeks to even months in certain instances. The treatment protocol usually includes a total of three to five sessions, planned at a rate of one to two sessions per week with an interval of minimum 72 hours in between.