Shock wave therapy

As part of a wide variety of modern types of treatment for very special and quite common diseases and complaints, the Shock wave therapy (ESWT) has become an indispensable, alternative medical technology procedure.

What is shock wave therapy?

The Shock wave therapy, short ESWT, is a form of treatment that is technically exact as extracorporeal shock wave therapy referred to as. Shock wave therapy is based on the use of shock waves in a selected frequency range.

These are mainly shock waves that are rich in energy. For this reason, shock wave therapy is one of the high-energy technologies. Shock wave therapy has proven itself since the 1980s. Radial shock waves are used in shock wave therapy. Through an aligned and limited focus of these sound waves within the complete shock wave therapy on the diseased body areas, the desired treatment successes can be achieved effectively and almost painlessly.

These prerequisites contribute to the fact that shock wave therapy has found extensive medical use and guarantees relief for many patients.

Function, effect & goals

In the Shock wave therapy sound pressure waves are generated by an electrically operated transducer and directed specifically at calcified organs and parts of organs. These sound pressure waves can be varied with regard to their parameters. This applies to changes in their energy content, the so-called rise and propagation speed and other fine adjustments.

The sound pressure waves in shock wave therapy are characterized by uniform shock waves, which are characterized by a special rhythm and continuous pulsing. If the sound pressure waves are aimed specifically at solid media, they can be destroyed by the energy they contain. This is done in a manner similar to breaking off and triturating. Even extremely fine particles can be removed based on shock wave therapy.

Shock wave therapy can be used not only on the basis of sound pressure waves, but also on the use of the inverse piezo effect. The effect of shock wave therapy is based on different mechanisms. These can even contribute to the desired success of the treatment in combination with one another. In addition to reducing limescale deposits in conjunction with the natural decomposition of limescale by the organism itself, even the smallest calcareous components can be completely removed.

Another effect of shock wave therapy includes relieving pain. Shock wave therapy is based on influencing the cell walls of the nerve cells involved. This means that the transmission of pain impulses to the brain is significantly restricted.

Shock wave therapy is a modern and effective, stress-free procedure that can stimulate the rebuilding of bone substance. The extraordinarily high amount of energy that flows into the treated areas during shock wave therapy favors the formation of new healthy bone cells. This mainly affects the osteoblasts.

Shock wave therapy is used in orthopedics and pain treatment in soft tissues as well as in urology. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is ideal for destroying kidney stones and eliminating painful complaints in the elbows, heels and shoulders.

In addition, stubborn calcareous deposits caused by arthritic diseases can be applied by shock wave therapy. Shock wave therapy thus protects many patients from surgical interventions. Chronic wounds, leg ulcers and poorly healing fractures can also be treated with shock wave therapy.

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Risks & dangers

Since the Shock wave therapy When high amounts of energy are concentrated on the affected areas, various undesirable side effects occur locally. Typical side effects of shock wave therapy are mild to moderate bruises. These are localized. In addition, shock wave therapy causes swelling of the skin regions and an increase in painful symptoms, which, however, subside soon after the therapy.

Local or general anesthesia can be used to reduce the pain associated with shock wave therapy. Irritation of the skin can occur to a greater or lesser extent after shock wave therapy. These are particularly visible through reddening of the skin.

Shock wave therapy is not suitable for all patients. This alternative treatment method is excluded in people with blood clotting disorders, inflammation in the selected organs and parts of organs, and in the presence of pacemakers. People of a certain age, when the body is still developing and growing, are also not treated with shock wave therapy.

Also excluded from shock wave therapy are patients suffering from infected pseudoarthrosis or women who are pregnant at the given time.