Frequently asked questions about ShockWave

Frequently asked questions about ShockWave

Is all ShockWave the same?

No, there is a very big difference between LOW ENERGY unfocused RSWT and the high-quality HIGH ENERGY focused ESWT ShockWave that Physiotherapy & ShockWave Doetinchem uses.


 

    With LOW ENERGY RSWT, the energy is mainly delivered to the superficial layers and the tissue vibrates slightly. The pressure usually does not exceed 1-10 Bar. (water pressure from the tap is approximately 2.5 bar!) The energy quickly fans out and quickly extinguishes in the tissue. [See orange image on the right.]

 

    with HIGH ENERGY ESWT, however, the energy is first guided inwards with a kind of “lens” [focused] and the energy comes together at 1 point. Secondly, a very short pulse time is used [300 nanoseconds, 1 nanosecond is 1/billionth of a second!]. Thirdly, a much higher pressure wave is generated [100-1000 Bar! A high-pressure washer is approximately 100 Bar!)

 

ESWT is therefore the most effective form of the two (see a lot of medical literature). Extracorporeal ShockWave Therapy (ESWT) is therefore rightly considered one of the most innovative and effective developments in recent musculoskeletal treatments.

Do you have one of the complaints mentioned on this page, such as:

Shoulder with limited mobility Chronic elbow pain (tennis, golfer's elbow) Pain in the kneecap (Jumper's knee) Chronic pain in the Achilles tendon (achillodynia) Heel spur or plantar fasciitis Chronic neck, shoulder or back pain points in various places Other forms of tendonitis and calcifications ... then ESWT ShockWave something for you..!
Proven effectiveness of ShockWave Are you one of the countless patients with chronic pain complaints? Have you tried several options to get rid of it? Injections, medication, physiotherapy, relaxation methods, etc. Did your pain always return after a short time, often even worse than before? Then Shockwave may also be a good choice for you. A no-obligation consultation and investigation will reveal this. Scientific studies show effectiveness. Chronic pain is often caused by inflammation and/or calcification of a muscle, tendon or bursa. Cramped muscles or muscle knots, so-called Myofascial Trigger Points, can also cause a lot of pain. Focused ShockWave can also offer a solution here. How exactly does the ESWT treatment work? First of all, we locate (including with ultrasound) the area to be treated. This is marked on the skin with a 'permanent marker'. After the source of the pain and the area of pain have been identified, this area is exposed to short shockwave impulses. These high-energy acoustic impulses improve metabolism and blood circulation in the pain area. In this way they stimulate the body's existing recovery mechanism. In other words, ShockWave has everything to do with the human body as a stimulus and is not “radiation”. Is ShockWave a form of ultrasound therapy? No. ShockWave is its own 'mechanical' stimulus. Ultrasound works with 1-3 million vibrations per second, ShockWave with only 8 pulses per second. It is best described as a self-displacing vibration that, however, behaves like a sound vibration (longitudinal). Shockwave is also used in kidney stone crushers, but with a much higher intensity and [of course] focused there too. What are the benefits of ESWT ShockWave Therapy? Treatment without drugs or surgery Short-term treatment (up to 10 minutes per session) Excellent therapy success, on average after only 3 to 7 treatments Treating the causes instead of the symptoms Pain relief and recovery of mobility after a few days Few side effects; However, slight redness or swelling may occur immediately after the treatment. Thanks to shockwave therapy, an injection or even surgery can remain unnecessary. Is ShockWave a painful therapy? There are different types of ShockWave devices. Currently, kidney stone crushers are used for this purpose in some hospitals. Treatment with this focused shockwave is very painful, even though local anesthesia is used. The maximum treatment result is achieved after 2-3 treatments. The Piezoson100Plus that is used in our practice is also focused, the stimulus is the same as that of the kidney stone pulverizer, but slightly milder, but much more powerful than the unfocused RSWT. There is also no anesthesia involved. An advantage is that the area to be treated can be properly localized by working with the “beam”. The client feels a clear sensation, which can be maintained without anesthesia. With RSWT, the area to be treated must be cooled afterwards with cold packs, but with our ESWT this is not necessary, because all energy is conducted internally. [The essence of this story…] How long does a treatment take? About 2000 pulses are administered per session. This takes an average of 5 -10 minutes. An intake/examination/conversation, preparation, treatment and discussion will take you approximately 60 minutes [the first time]. The sessions have an average treatment interval of 7 days.

Would you like to know how others have experienced shockwave therapy? Then read more on the ShockWave therapy experiences page.

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