What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy?

What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is one of the few proven procedure that can safely and effectively treat, in a non-surgical way, chronic pain syndromes in the musculoskeletal system on which traditional pain treatment has not shown a great effect. ESWT is a non-invasive procedure for the treatment of acute and chronic pain in the musculo-skeletal  system.

The main medical principle that extracorporeal shock wave affect  biological tissues is based on the biochemical of biomolecular conversion and transfer of mechanical stimuli in to tissues of the human body.

Body areas usually treated: (See Picture)

How does the treatment work?

·         Stimulation of peripheral nerves activates pain inhibiting mechanisms.

·         Shockwaves locally alter the chemical environment.

·         Shockwave induce the release of endorphins: reduction of (local) sensitivity to pain.

·         One of these messenger substances is substance P, a pain mediator and growth factor.

·         On the one hand, the release of substance P by shockwaves has an analgesic effect.

·         On the other, it dilates the blood vessels, stimulates blood circulation and contributes to the formation of new bone tissue.

Why use Radial Shock Wave Therapy?

·         Fast and effective.

·         A great option instead of surgery, which has a long recovery time, lost work time and income, reduced quality of life while they recover.

·         Surgical success rates are lower than RSWT is a proven result.

·         Eliminate the use of medication, cortisone or repeated injections.

·         Used when all other methods have failed.

·         Unlike a surgical procedure in ESWT patient can still enjoy their favourite sport or exercises as per advices.

·         This is done in an Out-patient setup.

How fast does it work?

·         Most patients feel significant results after the first treatment. Some patients will not feel a difference until finishing their third treatment.

·         The healing process is accumulative and therefore patients continue to have results weeks after ending their treatment. Because the cells are broken down, and are rebuilding (they actually are put back into the acute phase) the maximum result is usually felt at the 12^th week after their last treatment.

At our clinic all procedures are done by specially trained Doctors after thorough examination of the patient and finding the root cause of the problem.