Shockwave Therapy

Question 1

What is the DEFINITION of Shockwave Therapy?

Answer 1

• Sequence of SINGLE Sonic Pulses - HIGH Pressure Soundwaves
• with a HIGH Amplitude + a VERY SHORT Duration

Question 2

What are the CHARACTERISTICS of Shockwave Therapy?

Answer 2

• SEQUENCE of SINGLE Sonic Pulses
• STEEP Pressure RISE - 10 nanoseconds
• HIGH PEAK Pressure - Upto 120 Mpa
• LOW TENSILE Amplitude - Upto 10 Mpa
• SHORT DURATION - 10 micro-seconds
• BROAD FREQUENCY SPECTRUM - 16-20 MHz

Question 3

What are the 2 TYPES of Shockwave Therapy?

Answer 3

1) FOCUSED / EWST

• Has a SHORT Duration
• STEEP Pressure Rise / HIGH PEAK Pressure
• Energy’s focused to target zone, INSIDE the Tissues

2) RADIAL / RSWT

• Has a LONGER Duration
• LOWER PEAK Pressure
• FOCAL Point of Energy is centred onto the TIP of Applicator

Question 4

What are the GENERATORS Used for FOCUSED ESWT?

Answer 4

• Electrohydraulic
• Electromagnetic
• Piezoelectric

Question 5

What are the GENERATORS Used for RADIAL ESWT?

Answer 5

Based on the Pneumatic Principle

Question 6

How is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy similar to Ultrasound?

Answer 6

• They’re both Acoustic Waves

Question 7

What Sort of **Effects* does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy have?

Answer 7

• Physical Effects
• Biological Effects

Question 8

What is the Physical Effects of EST?

Answer 8

PRIMARY Effect

• Result of DIRECT GENERATION of MECHANICAL Forces - concentrated on Target Point

SECONDARY Effect

• Result of INDIRECT MECHANICAL Forces, caused by CAVITATION

Question 9

What is the Biological Effects of EST?

Answer 9

• INCREASED Cell Permeability
• STIMULATES Microcirculation (Blood / LN) + Stem Cells
• MODULATION of Peptides, in NOCICEPTION
• REDUCES Non-Myelinated Nerve Fibres
• INHIBITION of Cytokines

Question 10

What are the INDICATIONS for EST?

Answer 10

1) Chronic Tendinopathies

• Tennis Elbow
• Rotator Cuff Injury
• Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome
• Patellar Tendinopathy
• Achilles Tendinopathy
• Plantar Fascilitis (Heel Spur)

2) Bone Pathologies

• DELAYED Bone Healing
• Stress Fracture
• AVASCULAR Bone Necrosis

3) Skin Pathologies = Non-Healing Wounds / Skin Ulcers

4) Musculoskeletal Pathologies

• Osteoarthritis
• Trigger Finger
• De Quervain Disease

5) Neurological Pathologies

• Spasticitiy
• Polyneuropathy
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

6) Urological Pathologies

• Pelvic Chronic Pain Syndrome
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Question 11

What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS for EST?

Answer 11

• Pregnancy
• Pace Maker
• Epiphysis of Growing Bones
• Thrombosis / Anticoagulants
• Recent Corticosteroid Injection, in Target Area