Extracorporeal shock wave, i.e. ESWT (Extracorporeal shock wave therapy) is currently one of the best methods used successfully in the treatment of chronic pain related to the locomotor system. How are the treatments with the use of the shock wave carried out?

How does theESWT shockwavework? It is produced under pressure in a professional device, and then applied to the body by means of a special head. Thanks to their focus, the shock wave very accurately hits a specific place - it primarily affects the diseased tissues, and has little or no effect on the other tissues.

Patients often feel an improvement after one treatment, because the shock wave mainly relieves pain and inflammation.

Its power, duration and depth with which it is to penetrate the body are selected individually depending on the patient's needs. The ESWT shock wave for the needs of physiotherapy was discovered relatively recently, previously this type of method was used mainly in the treatment of kidney stones. It turned out that the crushing of stones has its positive side effect - the discomforts associated with the musculoskeletal system also decrease. First, the ESWT shockwave was successfully used in the rehabilitation of athletes, later it became a common method of therapy. It usually includes 5-6 treatments (they last on average a few minutes), performed once or twice a week.

Shockwave (ESWT): indications

Doctors willingly order extracorporeal shock wave treatments, because it is indeed very effective.

ESWT shock wave also improves circulation and accelerates metabolism in fat cells, it is also used in aesthetic medicine clinics to reduce cellulite.

In some cases, they are so effective that they postpone or even prevent operations after injuries or degenerations of the locomotor system. The list of medical conditions that can be treated with an ESWT shockwave is really long. Includes:

  • shoulder soreness
  • sore wrist
  • inflammation of the patellar ligament (the so-called jumper's knee)
  • painstendon attachments, which manifest themselves, inter alia, in the so-called tennis elbow or golfer's elbow
  • heel spurs
  • post-traumatic limb pain, incl. the so-called runner's knee
  • pain in the hip or groin area
  • plantar fasciitis
  • muscle trailer inflammation
  • ailments related to the Achilles tendon.

Shockwave (ESWT): contraindications

There are few contraindications to the use of the ESWT shock wave, but you must strictly follow them in order not to worsen your he alth. This type of procedure cannot be performed during an active cancer disease, after a heart attack in the last three months, in the case of diseases related to blood clotting. The ESWT shock wave should not be performed by pregnant women, although the negative impact of the procedure has not been proven if it is not performed directly in the lumbosacral area. Contraindication is also advanced osteoporosis and steroid therapy. You should also wait with the treatments when we are undergoing an acute infection, e.g. with a fever.

According to an expertKatarzyna Matyjasik, M.Sc., a physiotherapist from the Poznań hospital and MedPolonia clinic

The shock wave is an example of the fact that the fight against pain can not only be victorious, but also be safe and give quick and lasting therapeutic effects. Patients with a wide variety of pain ailments come to our facility. After just a few short treatments, they are surprised by the effects that we were able to achieve with the shock wave. It is a perfect solution for people who want to recover and improve their mechanical fitness. The main advantages of this innovative therapy are restoring the patient's mobility by means of several non-invasive and completely safe procedures. It is also worth emphasizing that it can be an effective solution for people who have failed other forms of physiotherapy. Its great advantage is also the fact that the therapeutic effect lasts for a very long time. Many patients associate the shock wave procedure with very painful sensations. However, each patient reacts differently to the procedure. Contrary to popular belief, some people find it pleasant, others only feel a slight discomfort, and others feel nothing.

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