ESWT, known as shockwave, has been found to heal almost all types of musculoskeletal injuries. It also has application to wound healing, erectile dysfunction, and is even being studied in calcifications of the arteries surrounding the heart! At our clinic, we utilize Shockwave Therapy to heal musculoskeletal issues, ED, lymphedema, and for skin tightening.
For bone healing, the most immediate reaction the body has to ESWT is the upregulation of angiogenic and osteogenic growth factors, meaning it induces the chemicals that cause formation of new arteries and new bone. The increase in new blood vessel growth starts within 1 week, peaks at 4 weeks, and persists for at least 12 weeks after treatment application.
Osteonecrosis of the hip was a devastating injury that took athletic phenom Bo Jackson out of his prime. Anyone that has a fracture of the femoral head can lose blood flow to that part of the bone, which used to necessitate a hip replacement. When shockwave was studied in these patients, it became clear that this was no longer an injury that required a patient to have an implant, but could be treated successfully with shockwave, inducing new blood vessel growth into a 'dead' part of the bone that was once thought impossible!
Osteoarthritis of the knee is another significant problem of aging. In fact, estimates show that joint pain is the #1 cause of disability in both 'young' and 'old' populations alike. Typical treatment course sends patients to the operating room for arthroscopy or knee replacement, depending on the situation. Shockwave has been shown to repair cartilage and the bone under the cartilage in patients that had ESWT.
Evidence proves that shockwave heals tendinopathies, and one of its first applications in musculoskeletal pain was on achilles tendinitis. There are studies that prove its effectiveness at a cellular level by analyzing the chemical markers that it activates in the body to remove damaged collagen and induce the body to restructure the tendon.
As research continues to support the benefits of shockwave therapy and new applications emerge, book today to enjoy more mobility and less pain. Shockwave is a non-surgical procedure that is done in the outpatient setting and does not require anesthesia. It has no known side effects when treating musculoskeletal disorders and can help you avoid a surgical procedure.
You can conveniently book online at www.bodyworkdocs.com or call or text us at 203-651-5090, and our patient care specialist Christine will take care of you.
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