Uses and Indications of EXTRACORPOREAL Shock wave Therapy

Shock wave Therapy is a safe, effective and non-surgical technology utilizing high-energy, short wavelength sound waves, called shockwaves, to treat tendons, bone and periosteum (the pain sensitive membrane on bone). Healing effects include bone and tendon regeneration, increased blood vessel growth and a chemically induced decrease in pain and sensitivity of the pain receptors. Research proves this modality is extremely effective for most near to bone tendonitis and more so than most of the alternatives.

•  90% improvement for Plantar Fasciitis (Journal of Orthopedic Research 2005)
•  91% improvement for Calcific Tendinitis (Journal of American Medical Association 2003)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has been shown to be effective for Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, jumpers knee, bursitis, calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy, and tennis elbow. There has also been exponential growth in ESWT use for trigger point therapy.

Typically, treatments take five minutes for tendinopathy, and five to 10 minutes for trigger point therapy. The procedure involves biofeedback from the patient. ESWT creates neurovascularization of the degenerate tissue and it also promotes the production of ENOS, endothelial growth factor and bone morphogenic protein. The tissue regeneration in healing takes approximately three months, yet many patients feel relief much sooner. Treatments are recommended at one-week intervals for a total of three treatments. Success Rates The most striking aspect of ESWT is its success rate. As an evidence-based practitioner, I am continually impressed by the efficacy of ESWT as evinced in the literature. This year alone, two excellent papers were published on the success of ESWT in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. When combined with exercise, ESWT showed a 75 percent success rate with patellar tendinopathy and a 76 per cent success rate for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.

There have been more than 300 articles published on ESWT in 10 double-blind, randomized, controlled trials. As Dr. Boyer wrote in the Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, when discussing ultrasound, ice laser and acupuncture, “where is the science?” There is a dearth of evidence supporting their uses, which is in striking contrast to that for radial shockwave therapy. The evidence for the use of ESWT is overwhelming! - See more at: http://www.canadianchiropractor.ca/techniques/the-results-of-radial-shockwave-therapy-998#sthash.6m03OulC.dpuf