SHOCKWAVE
THERAPY

The Shockwave therapy is new non-invasive solution for chronic musculoskeletal pain. The Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy is frequently used in physiotherapy, orthopaedics and sports medicine. Applications are mostly associated with the treat-ment of chronic muscular and tendon disorders, back and cervical pain.

The treatment with shock waves do not interfere with other types of physical therapy when combined together. The combination of rehabilitation exercise therapy and possible nutraceuticals (the so-called food “supplements”), can be a winning strategy for treating tendinopathy.

If executed properly with expertise, appropriate equipment, trained profes-sionals and after a correct diagnosis, a therapy with extracorporeal shock waves can be performed safely, resulting in few significant side effects.

In case of partial benefit, the therapy can be repeated since it does not cause significant side effects. With the repeti-tion of therapy whenever necessary, additional benefits can be generated within time.

A flare-up of pain in between shock waves treatment is possible, however, it does not represent a wake-up call. It is simply a temporary reaction to stimula-tion, which activates the healing process.

PROCESS

1. Locating pain by palpation	2. Marking the treatment area
3. Applying the contact gel	4. Delivering the shockwaves

Isn’t shock wave therapy used for kidney stones?

Shock waves were introduced for the first time in medicine in the early nineties for the treatment of kidney stones (lithotripsy). However, in the years following their immediate scope of use, they rapidly expanded to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system and not only (shock waves extracorporeal).

Is the effect of shock wave therapy immediate?

The therapeutic action of the shock waves is linked to a series of complex biological reactions, which require time to manifest themselves and for which it is necessary to wait even several weeks in order to fully appreciate the beneficial effect.

Is the aim of treatment with extracorporeal shockwaves in the musculoskeletal field simply to dissolve calcifications?

The goal of therapy is not to direct a traumatic problem, to avoid injury to the tissues, and to avoid crushing the calcifications by direct rupture. The therapy is applied through a very delicate mechanical action (a sort of micro-massage on cells and tissues), that is able to stimulate certain biological reactions. These reactions include the anti-inflammatory effect, anti-edema and pain in addition to locally improving microcirculation. It is possible in some cases for calcification to be reabsorbed, however, this takes place through the secondary biochemical mecha-
nism.

SHOCKWAVE THERAPY