Shock Wave Therapy
Focused Shock Waves – What Are Shock Waves?
Shock waves are sound waves. They occur in the atmosphere during explosive events, for example during detonations or lightning strikes, or when air planes break through the sound barrier.
Shock waves are acoustic pulses characterized by high positive pressure amplitudes and a steep pressure increase compared to the ambient pressure. They are capable of temporarily transmitting energy from the point of generation to remote regions, causing window panes to shatter, for example.
Physical and Biological Effects of Shock Waves
The effect of shock waves in medicine can be attributed to the physical mechanism of momentum transfer to layers of cells that are stretched and deformed, briefly becoming permeable to ions and certain molecules. This mechanism is referred to as mechanotransduction
Depending on shock wave intensity mechanical destruction of cells and membranes may occur as may cellular stimulation through reversible deformation of the cell membrane.
The outcomes that can be achieved in this manner are twofold: the destruction of unhealthy structures amenable to breakage (scar tissue) and the irritation and stimulation of tissue structures with consequential healing processes.
It has been shown that, in most cases, shock wave therapy results in increased blood circulation and enhanced metabolic activity, leading to the onset of the healing process.
Shock waves also induce a variety of biological reactions resulting from the shear and pressure forces they produce.
As demonstrated by scientific evidence, it is responsible for the following effects:
- Increase in cell permeability
- Stimulation of microcirculation (blood, lymph)
- Release of substance
- Reduction of non-myelinated nerve fibres
- Release of nitric oxide (NO), which leads to vasodilation, increasedmetabolic activity and angiogenesis and has an anti-inflammatoryeffect
- Antibacterial effect
- Release of growth hormones (blood vessels, epithelium, bones,collagen, etc.)
- Stimulation of stem cells
- Stimulation of neurons (neural spiking)
Shock Wave therapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders, including tendinitis, epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, trocanteritis, “jumper’s knee”, chronic back pain, chronic muscle pain, non-union in long bone fractures, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, chronic diabetic or non-diabetic ulcers, and even erectile dysfunction.
