Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy
EPAT (extracorporeal Pulse activation technology), also referred to as ESWT or shockwave therapy is an innovative approach to treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and connective tissue disorders. this innovative procedure is offered for patients of Redwood City Health and Wellness.
COMMON CONDITIONS
Here are examples of conditions Shockwave Therapy helps with:
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- Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
- Knee: Patellar Tendonitis or Arthritis
- Hands: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Arthritis
- Upper Leg: Iliotibial Band (IT Band) Dysfunction
- Elbows: Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow (Epicondylitis)
- Feet: Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs or Achilles Tendonitis
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Shockwave therapy treatment has superior cost to benefit ratio
It is a non-invasive option for your chronic pain
It works to improve blood flow to a specific area, stimulating the natural healing process
Shockwave therapy treatment is drug free and no anesthesia is required
It has less side effects or no side effects at all
Shockwave therapy research shows that it can have a positive effect on acute pain conditions
Shockwave Therapy is has clinically shown to have the following effects:
Reduce Local Muscle Tension
Increase production of collagen
Help dissolve calcific fibroblasts
Facilitate healing
Improve local micro circulation leading to improved tissue metabolism
Eliminating pain
How Long Does treatment take?
- A typical treatment takes about 10 minutes
- Normally, 1-2 treatments per week are performed
- A total of 5-7 treatments (7-10 for larger areas) may be necessary before lasting improvement is achieved
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR SHOCKWAVE TREATMENT
1. Your physician will do an evaluation and identify the treatment site or sites. They may mark these sites.
2. They will then apply a thin coat of coupling gel. This gel helps to translate the acoustic sound waves generated by the therapy head to the body.
3. The physician will start the treatment at a very low output setting and increase the power to a level that you help define and is best suited for your condition. The output level and acoustic wave frequency rate may vary from location to location based on the depth and type of tissue being treatment.
4. As the physician moves the therapy source around the treatment area, you may feel a deep, dull ache that may be similar to the pain your complaint produces. The physician will ask you to report when you feel the ache and will adjust the output of the device to the appropriate level for your treatment. They may also ask you to confirm that the therapy source is still creating the ache and may adjust the location of the treatment based on your feedback. If at any time the treatment becomes uncomfortable, mention this to the physician and they will adjust the output level.
5. After the treatment is completed, the coupling gel will be removed, and you can return to your normal activities. You may experience some minor aches or discomfort after the treatment. It is not unusual for patients to notice flushed or reddened skin around the treatment site.