PRECISION HEALTH ALASKA
ESWT / EPAT
Shock Wave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) or Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Therapy (EPAT), is a clinically proven and highly effective treatment for chronic soft tissue injuries and certain bone conditions.
If treatments such as cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications, splints, braces, or physical therapy have failed to relieve your pain or numbness, then ESWT/EPAT may be right for you.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is hailed as the MOST innovative approach to treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, tendinopathies, connective tissue disorders, and more!
Known to ignite the body's natural healing capabilities, Shock Wave Therapy is a PROVEN modality that accelerates healing timelines for a wide range of conditions. Shock Wave Therapy stimulates blood flow, increases release of healing growth factors, and facilitates tissue regeneration.
Proven Successful Life-Changing Results
To Get YOU Back to Optimal Function
WITHOUT SURGERY
-
This unique technology is an evidence-based, non-invasive, risk-free modality that improves clinical results in regenerative medicine.
-
It is treats Erectile Dysfunction by addressing the condition at the root cause - decreased blood flow.
-
It restores pelvic floor health for women. It addresses postpartum conditions, stress and urge incontinence, increases vaginal tone, improves vaginal sexual function and pleasure.
-
It is also a proven and effective treatment option for aesthetic disorders and concerns, such as cellulite.
Avoid Surgery and Heal Faster!
No Downtime.
No Side-Effects.
Non-Invasive.
In-Office Procedure.
Rapid Recovery.
ESWT / EPAT
Shock Wave Therapy
How does Shock Wave Therapy work?
The effects of Shock Wave Therapy occur across several levels:
1. Cell Level Change – Shock wave stimulus affects the chemical environment of tissues at a cellular level. This causes changes to free radicals which boost the release of the substances that help to prevent pain and inflammation.
2. Break up of Scar Tissue – Unlike normal elasticated tissue, scar tissue is non-elastic and will prevent normal movement and function, thereby weakening the unaffected tissue surrounding it, often causing further damage and pain. Shock Wave Therapy breaks down fibrous scar tissue which builds up over time, especially with chronic conditions. By increasing circulation and breaking down scar tissue, Shock Wave Therapy will stimulate cell regeneration and promote normal healing and rapid reduction of pain. The normal function can then be restored.
3. Blood Flow Change – Normal blood flow is critical to the healing process. Shock Wave Therapy creates a re-vascularization effect. This type of stimulus redirects new blood flow into the affected area which improves soft tissue healing and regeneration.
4. Muscle Tone Modification – Shock Wave treatment adjusts the contractile activity of muscle and can also break patterns of neuro-cognitive pain that are associated with chronic conditions. This effectively relaxes muscles and reduces spasm, and has specific benefits with eliminating trigger points.
5. Pain Reduction – Shock Wave pulses directly affect the nerve fibers that transmit pain signals to our brain. Through the Gate Control Mechanism, Shock Wave Therapy impacts the interneurons in the A-β fibers which prevent the communication of pain.
6. Improved Nerve Function – In addition to vascularization and tissue regeneration, Shock Wave Therapy has been shown to promote nerve regeneration and help protect against neuropathy and neuronal degeneration.
Shock Wave Therapy Modalities Offered
ESWT- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Storz Duolith SD1 TTop Device
Focus Shock Wave Therapy
What are the shock waves used in ESWT?
Shock waves are sound waves. They occur in the atmosphere during explosive events, such as lightning strikes or when airplanes break through the sound barrier. Shock waves are acoustic pulses characterized by high positive pressure amplitudes and a steep pressure increase compared to the ambient pressure. They are capable of temporarily transmitting energy from the point of generation to remote regions.
Focused shock waves are generated in the device hand piece by electromagnetic induction - electricity sent into a copper rod surrounded by copper coils, which creates a magnetic field. The magnetic field causes a copper membrane to move abruptly, which in turn produces a shockwave. The shock wave is reflected and focused into the tissues from the hand piece.
These shock waves are generated extracorporeally, i.e. outside the body, in a hand piece, and introduced into the target tissue with the help of a medium, usually gel, hence the name extracorporeal shock wave.
In the tissues, these shock waves cause cavitations in cellular tissues. This process is called mechanotranduction, which is where cells sense the mechanical force exerted on them and convert it into a biochemical responses.
This stimulates intracellular and extracellular responses, ultimately causing the release of healing growth factors, stem cells, increased blood flow through angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels).
For musculoskeletal conditions, ESWT - Focus Shock Wave Therapy and Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Therapy -EPAT, aka Radial Pressure Wave Therapy, are combined to offer a through and comprehensive treatment.
EPAT
Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Therapy
Storz OrthoPulse Ultra 100 Device
Radial Pressure Wave Therapy
Extracorporeal Pressure Activation Therapy (EPAT) ,aka Radial Pressure Wave Therapy, utilizes a compressed air ballistic pulse wave generator. In this type of therapy, a projectile is accelerated using compressed air. The motion and weight of the projectile produces kinetic energy. When the projectile impacts against the immovable strike plate, the kinetic energy is converted into sound energy or acoustic waves. This acoustic wave, sometimes referred to as a pulse, is transmitted into the tissue to be treated.
Unlike the focus shock wave therapy which transmits a shock wave deep within the tissue, Radial Pressure Waves are transmitted from the surface outward from the applicator tip with the energy dissipating the farther into the tissue. This therapy is very beneficial to stimulating relaxation in the surrounding muscle and tissue of the area treated, but it stimulates a similar healing cascade as the focus machine to a greater, wider area.
V-Actor
Vibration Therapy
The V-Actor is a handheld vibratory device which uses percussive therapy to treat muscles and other tissues surrounding the treatment target area. It increases blood flow through deep tissue massage, which causes the tissues to relax.
Questions About Shock Wave Therapy
Does Shock Wave Therapy Hurt ?
Most patients experience mild discomfort during treatment, but therapy is adjusted to your comfort level. The initial discomfort typically fades as the area becomes desensitized during treatment.
How many treatments are needed?
Most conditions require THREE to SIX treatments at one-week intervals. However, more chronic or complicated conditions may require more. Treatment session take approximately 10-30 minutes depending on the type of problem area being treated.
How successful is Shock Wave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is one of the most widely researched rehabilitation modalities. There are THOUSANDS of peer-reviewed clinical studies on the use of Shock Wave Therapy for the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain and/or neuropathy, with an increasing number of new scientific and clinical studies added each year. Research validates the effectiveness of Shock Wave Therapy, and shows successful treatment rates over 90%.
Are the results of Shock Wave Therapy long-lasting?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy has been used in Europe and Asia for many decades to address acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and/or neuropathy. It is an effective, non-invasive, long-lasting alternative to pharmaceutical drugs or surgery. In most cases, with proper rehabilitation, the results of Shock Wave Therapy for muscle or joint pain can be permanent, so long as the target area is not re-injured. In cases of neuropathy or autoimmune conditions, the results of Shock Wave Therapy may not be permanent, but can alleviate symptoms and provide a significantly better quality of life.
What are the possible side effects or complications?
The non-invasive Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Treatment has virtually no risks or side effects. In some cases, patients may experience slight discomfort which may continue for a few days in extremely sensitive areas. Patients may experience bruising, swelling, or redness of the skin over the treatment area. Contraindications to Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy include: bleeding disorders, active malignancy, and pregnancy.
What are the Benefits of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy?
-
Non-Invasive
-
No Anesthesia
-
No Scarring
-
No Risk of Infection
-
No Downtime
-
Over 90% Patient Satisfaction
-
Faster, Easier Healing
Is Shock Wave Therapy Covered by health insurance?
Although Shock Wave Therapy is a clinically proven effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain, it is not covered by health insurance.