Acoustic Wave Therapy (also known as ESWT Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) is a conservative method of pain treatment used in Europe, Canada, the USA and now Australia. Results of AWT/ESWT treatment are proven more effective than any other conservative pain treatment on the market today.
What conditions can be treated by AWT?
There have been several scientific studies and clinical trials done on the effects of AWT on classic pain problems such as:
1) Calcific Tendinitis of the shoulder
2) Epicondylitis (elbow pain)
3) Heel spurs
4) Patellar tendinitis
5) Achillodynia
6) Medial tibial stress syndrome
7) Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
8) Trigger point therapy in soft tissue complaints
9) Sprains/torn muscles and ligament injuries
How does it work?
Clinical studies have shown all of the conditions listed above have been eliminated or greatly reduced through the use of AWT as a form of pain therapy.
These amazing results are possible presumably because of the AWT induced vasodilation (widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls) and neo-angiognesis (development and formation of blood vessels).
AWT is a procedure in which shock waves are directed at the area of pain, where they cause a controlled trauma. Healing processes are caused in deeper tissue areas.
The healing process results in increased blood circulation and the formation of new blood vessels, leading to the generation of new connective tissue. Degenerated tendon tissue is regenerated and tightened. (1)
AWT requires a healing time of at least one week between sessions in order to allow sufficient time for the controlled trauma to heal.
How many treatments are needed?
AWT stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissue through increased circulation. Patients will often report positive results after a couple of treatments, however 3-10 sessions are required to get the full regeneration and desired results.
Each condition has been researched and clinical guidelines have been established regarding how many treatments and the settings to use. Of course each patient is an individual and results may vary from person to person.
Generally one treatment per week is sufficient. Over treatment will decrease the results. Sufficient time between treatments must be allowed for complete healing to take place.
It is best not to combine AWT with massage therapy due to the risk of over treatment. This is a stand-alone modality.The results occur over a medium to long term time frame.
Countless individuals have been freed from chronic pain and spared surgery through this conservative non-invasive treatment.
Is the treatment the same as that used for kidney stones?
Orthopaedic AWT has nothing in common with urological lithotripsy (1) (non-surgical method of dissolving kidney stones) although this treatment was what led to the discovery of AWT as we know it.
The idea AWT works the same through “disintegration” of calcium spurs or tendinitis as it does with kidney stone lithotripsy is incorrect. The disintegration is not possible with this treatment nor is it necessary. (1)
(1) Enthesiopathies (Shock Wave Therapy in Practice) by Ulrich Dreisilker, October 2010
