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What Exactly Is Shockwave Therapy

Therapeutic shock waves were originally developed as a way to eliminate kidney stones, without creating skin damage over the last 20 years.Nowadays the use of radial shock waves , also called Radial Pressure Waves (RPW) is being expanded successfully to a variety of therapeutic and wellness applications. Although they’re popular in Europe they are still a new method of treating musculoskeletal pain in the UK.

The effectiveness of this treatment options for certain conditions has been assessed and approved by the two organisations: NICE (UK National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) and FDA (US Food and Drug Administration).

Shockwave Therapy near me explained

The procedure is described under a variety of different names, the most well-known being SHOCK WAVE THERAPY also known as EXTRACORPORAL SHOCKWAVE THERMAPY (ESWT). There has been some speculation that the therapy variant of shockwave therapy might be described more accurately as RADIALSHOCKWAVE therapy (RSWT) to distinguish the characteristics that the shockwaves are different from more powerful targeted versions which are widely used in different areas of medicine.

Radial shockwaves are also described as Radial Pressure Waves. They are a kind of pulse that is generated by compressed air. The air transforms into energy that is an acoustic. The energy of acoustics is propagated through a dispersive wave into the tissues of the area infected.

Production principles

There are four ways for creating”shock waves”. These are spark discharge as piezoelectric, piezoelectric as well as electromagnetism (or electrohydraulic). The generated wave will differ in the energy content , and has distinct features of penetration in human tissues. In the field of therapeutics the most commonly used method of generation is found in the pneumatic system. The main reason is that it creates the circular (dispersive) result. Focused waves are crucial for performing surgical procedures, however, because they’re destructive they aren’t suitable for therapeutic purposes. They are also known as “hard” shock waves. The dispersive or radial wave are often called soft shockwaves.

Theoretical theories of RPW’s method of action

Lowers pain: The powerful pulses from the handpiece to tissue help in reducing the transmitting of signals for pain (Gate the Theory of Control)
The increase in metabolism is caused via shock waves. They influence tissue on the cellular level, which encourages the release of pain-reducing and inflammatory-restraining substances
Revascularisation The frequent use of shock waves can affect the blood flow, promoting the healing of tissues as well as the process of regenerative regeneration.
The diminution in muscle tone due to the shock waves help to restore normal muscle tone by reducing the effect of tension

Safety

The technology that forms the foundation of ESWT has been used for many years for treating a multitude of patients. It is used most often in Europe and all times ESWT applied to the musculoskeletal system was found to be completely free of adverse side effects when used by medical professionals who have been trained. In fact even minor adverse reactions such as burning sensations bleeding, redness, or swelling are extremely rare, minor and only temporary.