Focused Shockwaves / Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) 

Focused shockwaves is a non-invasive treatment option that is effective at healing pain and injuries in many musculoskeletal conditions. Shock wave is an innovative therapy that requires no downtime and is an excellent non-invasive alternative to surgery. ESWT can penetrate deeper into the tissues and provides all of its power at the designated depth. Focused shockwaves are generated electromagnetically through a cylindrical coil creating opposing magnetic fields when current is applied. 

ESWT works by something called mechanotransduction, causing an inflammatory response, which is the body’s natural healing process. In medicine, we know the lack of blood flow is a major contributing factor that impedes healing in muscles, tendons, bones, and wounds. The shock waves stimulate VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which causes angiogenesis, something that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in addition to other growth factors for tendons, cartilage, and bone. This type of treatment is a game-changer.

Due to the reduced cost of low energy shockwave machines many patients may have the impression that they have received “True” shockwave therapy. This impression is often generated by misinformed patients and uninformed practitioners. There certainly can be differences in effectiveness of high energy vs. low energy shockwave therapy. In general, the effectiveness of ESWT tends to be 80%. Compliance with treatment and rehabilitation recommendations are important factors in achieving optimal results.

In more recent years the use of ESWT has become the gold standard for musculoskeletal disorders as it treats the cause not the Symptom.

Biological effects:

Acoustic waves with high energy peak used in Shockwave therapy interact with tissue causing overall medical effects of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, analgesia and mobility restoration.