Shockwave therapy
(Not funded by NEAK, available only with full payment, and only with medical recommendation)
Mechanism of action:
In medicine, externally generated shock waves were first used for kidney stone fragmentation. The shock wave therapy device uses high-pressure air to generate mechanical energy, delivering over 600 small impacts per minute to the area being treated. According to the laws of mechanics, if the wave hits a hard material, it achieves a crushing effect. We primarily utilize this effect of the shock wave.
Biological effects of the shock wave:
- induces cellular effects within tissues (by increasing cell membrane permeability and stimulating cell division)
- dilation of blood vessels in the tendons and muscle areas, improving blood circulation in the specific location
- concentration of anti-inflammatory factors due to increased blood flow
- stimulating bone healing
- supporting collagen production.
As a result of these biological responses, the following physiological changes are induced:
- reduction of inflammation
- pain relief
- improvement of lymphatic circulation and metabolism
- muscle relaxant effect
- dissolution of calcium deposits.
Shock waves activate the body's self-healing mechanisms. The treatment eliminates the true cause of the pain, resulting in the gradual regeneration of damaged tissues, and the calcification deposited during the inflammatory reaction of joints is gradually absorbed. The advantage of this treatment method is that it is highly effective, rapid, and non-invasive (without surgical intervention).
Treatment procedure:
The patient comfortably positions themselves on the treatment table and exposes the area to be treated. The treatment surface is coated with ultrasound gel, and the procedure is carried out using massage-like movements. Due to the strong mechanical impact on the body surface, it may cause discomfort or pain in the affected areas, which can be alleviated by adjusting the intensity. Over time, as healing progresses, this degree decreases. The duration of the treatment is measured in minutes, usually, the required number of shocks can be delivered within 5 minutes, although this can vary from person to person. It is typically administered in a series, with at least 5 treatments needed according to experience, but 10-15 sessions are not uncommon.
Indications:
We generally recommend this treatment for persistent chronic musculoskeletal conditions that do not respond to other treatments, where surgery may already be considered, such as:
- calcaneal spur (heel spur)
- Achilles tendonitis
- golf elbow
- tennis elbow
- frozen shoulder
- bursitis
- SHIN SPLINT - pain on the anterior surface of the shinbone
- sports injuries
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- plantar pain (plantar fasciitis-aponeurosis plantaris)
- pain at the muscle attachment points
- jumper's knee syndrome
- knee joint wear.
Contraindications:
Varicose veins in the area, thrombosis, blood disorders and use of anticoagulants, venous insufficiency, acute inflammation, pregnancy, growing cartilage in children, therapeutic radiation exposure within 6 weeks, steroid use in the previous 6 weeks, fever, influenza, tumor, polyps in the treated area, tuberculosis, pacemaker, stent implantation, ulcerative skin, diabetic foot.