Shockwave therapy with SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies (TRT)TM “uses patented technology to reach an injured area at the cellular level to successfully turn on the body’s natural healing process.” It is a multidisciplinary device used in orthopedics, physical therapy, and sports medicine that provides fast pain relief and restores mobility. 

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How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

An electrode inside a dome full of water sends short, frequent sparks of mechanical energy (shockwaves) which penetrate the skin upon contact and create soundwaves that travel through the affected tissue. The soundwaves movement result in increased blood flow and decreased inflammation. The SoftWave patented applicator makes it possible to use lower frequency, unfocused shockwaves to treat a large area of both superficial and deep tissue, soliciting a biological response without causing microtrauma. Acoustic waves with high energy peak used in our electrohydraulic Shockwave therapy interact with tissue causing accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, promoting an anti-inflammatory environment, stimulating angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and improving analgesia and mobility restoration.

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What Conditions Can Be Treated?

Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, in particular, those involving areas where major connective tissue attaches to bone. It can be an excellent addition to orthopedic physical therapy as well as pelvic physical therapy treatments.

 

Common Sites that can be Successfully Treated by Shockwave:

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What Are the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?

New Blood Vessel Formation – Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue. The application of acoustic waves creates capillary permeability in tendon and bone increasing the nutrition and resultant healing effects in the area treated.

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Reversal of Chronic Inflammation – Anti-inflammatory cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process allowing tissues to begin to heal after they have been inflamed. Their activity may be increased by using pervasive acoustic waves.

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Stimulation of Collagen Production – The production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged muscle and ligamentous structures. Shockwave therapy accelerates pro-collagen synthesis.

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Dissolution of Calcified Fibroblasts – Calcium build-up is most often the result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves can break up the existing calcifications.

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Reduction of Substance P – Substance P is a neurotransmitter that mediates pain. This neuropeptide is generally associated with intense, persistent and chronic pain. Shockwave has been shown in several studies to reduce the amount of Substance P therefore potentially contributing to its pain relieving effect.

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Release of Trigger Points – Trigger points are the principal cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulder and limbs. Delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases the trigger points. Shockwave also increases blood flow to muscles to allow for relaxation and release of trigger points.

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Shockwave therapy has been known for:

Quickly reducing pain (faster than ultrasound, laser, radial, etc)

No medication is needed

May help avoid surgery

No negative side effects

No risk of allergies

Accelerates healing

Effective for chronic conditions

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What can I Expect for Treatment? 
Treatment will include application of the Softwave patented Applicator. A treatment can last 5–15 minutes depending on the number of shocks used. Over an area without inflammation, it feels like a rubber band gently snapping on your skin. Over a "hot spot" or sensitive area patients report a deeper discomfort, often replicating the discomfort for which they are being treated. Some patients notice a dramatic improvement after 3 to 4 sessions, while more chronic issues may require6 to 10 sessions of shockwave to note significant changes.

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Is Shockwave Treatment Covered by Insurance?

Shockwave is currently not covered under insurance. Physicians have a CPT code in some cases for billing high intensity shockwave, but there is not a code for rehabilitation at this time. 

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