What is ShockWave Therapy?

ShockWave Therapy (SWT) is the most advanced non-surgical technology currently available for treating joint, tendon, ligament and muscle problems. The technology was originally developed for medical purposes such as breaking up kidney stones, and was later modified for orthopedic uses. The Zimmer EnPuls delivers very brief, high-energy pressure waves that penetrate to the site of injury and signal the body to begin a cascade of repair effects

Conditions & Indications

Shoulder Injuries (e.g rotator cuff )

Golfer’s & Tennis Elbow (epicondylitis)

Chronic Heel Pain (plantar fasciitis)

Jumper’s Knee (patella tip syndrome)

Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Muscle Pain

Mechanism of Action

Shockwaves elicit a strong cellular response through the activation of mitochondria (the cells’ power source) in nerve cells before and after SWT. The sudden change in pressure caused by the shockwaves triggers the cell to respond as it would to trauma. In other words, shockwaves initiate a biological healing response. Numerous studies show the release of growth factors, anti-inflammatory agents and an improved blood supply in response to SWT.

Procedure

The procedure takes only 5-10 minutes. Much like an ultra-sound procedure, the treatment area will be covered with gel to ensure good shockwave transmission. After coupling the therapy head to your body (see pictures) your therapist will deliver a diagnosis-specific number of pulses. The energy can be applied at your personal comfort level.

After Care

Your compliance with a follow-up program is very important to the final treatment success. You will be given specific instructions on how you can assist in the healing process, for example, exercises you can do at home and activities you should avoid until you are better.

Side Effects

Millions of people have received shockwave treatment without any significant side effects. It is generally a pain free procedure. In rare cases, patients experience mild pain during treatment – especially when the treatment area is close to bone or is acutely inflamed. This pain ceases immediately when the therapy head is moved from the sensitive area. In rare cases soreness may persist in the treatment area for 1-2 days after the procedure.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of SWT, please ask any member of our team.

Success Rates

More than 80% of patients report improvement even after just one treatment. Depending on your particular condition you will likely be scheduled for 3-7 sessions. The final outcome depends on a variety of factors, but most studies report a healing rate of 65-85%.

HealthMedica specializes in providing modern and non-invasive treatment options for orthopedic pain. Shockwave Therapy (SWT) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment method in orthopedics and sports medicine. In fact, universities and Olympic team doctors are among those who include SWT in their spectrum of services. We are proud to offer our patients the same cutting-edge technology. This latest generation SWT device utilizes Shockwave Therapy to help your body heal itself.