SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
So what is this amazing new therapy?
I will begin by saying that this new technology called the Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, has provided our Wellness Center with amazing results often in few treatments, with many of our patients having some relief after their first treatment. It is nothing like I have ever experienced in the treatment of musculoskeletal and nerve pain. Shockwave Therapy is also described as Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy (MyACT). Their slogan is "Not all modalities are created equal" and I agree. Our clinic has used Shockwave Therapy on numerous patients with a variety of orthopedic issues from sports injuries, post surgical scars and adhesions to chronic neck and low back pain.
WHAT DOES SHOCKWAVE THERAPY TREAT?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Shockwave Therapy is a technology that uses pulses of sound energy or “acoustic compression” to treat painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system. The science behind it is the same as lithotripsy, a technology that makes use of acoustic waves to break up kidney stones without surgery. Acoustic Compression therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of chronic pain since the early '90s in Europe, but is new to the United States. The acoustic waves can be used to break up scar tissue, adhesions and muscle spasms, and increase circulation and healing to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. ShockWave Therapy is effective in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, which is a common finding in acute and chronic sports injuries, accidents, repetitive stress, and occupational injuries.
Shockwave Therapy was developed by Richard Wolf and a company called Elvation, out of Germany. Richard Wolf was a leader in the development of endoscopes. MyACT delivers mechanical energy in the form of sound waves to the target tissue which includes tenocytes in tendons, fibroblasts in ligaments and skin, osteocytes in bone, chondrocytes in articular cartilage and endothelial cells in blood vessels which are all highly responsive to mechanical energy. What is great about MyACT is that you can also vary the depth of the treatment by changing the adapter on the sound head from 5mm to 30mm. I like to describe it as a metal detector for unhealthy tissue and trigger points. Please see my post for further explanation of trigger points. This device has pin-point delivery in targeting unhealthy tissue through a mechanical stimulus resulting in cellular changes that promote increased circulation and pain relief. You cannot feel the treatment around healthy tissue which also helps the therapists to more accurately address our patient's pain when we come across the discomfort of a trigger point or injured tissue. The treatment is comparable to having a deep tissue massage in a fraction of the time. We suggest you drink plenty of water after the treatment just as you would after a massage.
We are very excited to offer this treatment at Clear Lake Integrative Medicine in Houston, TX. Your first ESWT session is FREE because we believe you have to experience the results. This is no gimmick, it really is showing amazing results!
