Shockwave Therapy (EPAT/ESWT)

Posted by Dr. Lev Kalika on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Treating the Foot

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation and Shockwave Technology is the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatment for neuromuscular disorders approved by the FDA. This proprietary technology is based on a unique set of pressure waves that stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals.

This non-invasive office/clinic based procedure represents a breakthrough treatment option for a broad range of musculoskeletal condition.

Treating the Foot

Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth

Ingrowth of NeovascularizationNutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue structure. The application of acoustic waves creates capillary micro-ruptures in tendon and bone and significantly increasing the expression of growth indicators such as the eNOS, VEGF, PCNA and BMP. These two processes stimulate the growth and remodeling of new arterioles. The new blood vessels will improve the blood supply and the oxygenation resulting in the faster healing of both tendon and bone.

Reversal of Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation occurs when the inflammation response is not completely halted. It can damage healthy areas in the body and can result in chronic pain. The activity of mast cells, which are involved in inflammatory process, may be increased by pervasive acoustic waves. Mast cell activation may be followed by the synthesis of chemokines and cytokines. The releasing of pro-inflammatory compounds, when needed, may help to restore the normal healing and regenerative processes.

Stimulation of Collagen

Treating the Foot The production of sufficient amounts of collagen is a necessary precondition of the tissue repair process. Shockwave therapy hastens procollagen synthesis. The newly created collagen fibers are forced into a longitudinal structure. These newly formed tendon fibers are more dense and stiff.

Release of Trigger Points

Trigger points are the principal cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulder and limbs. They are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers and have extremely contracted sarcomeres. The dysfunctional sarcomeres contract so tightly that they begin to cut off their own blood supply. This causes the build-up of waste products which in turn irritates the sensory nerve endings which then causes yet more contraction. This vicious cycle is referred to as a metabolic crisis. Although the precise medical effects of acoustic wave therapy are still unclear, it can be assumed that the delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump. Thus, it reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases these trigger points.

Treatable Disorders

Areas that can be treated with Shockwave Therapy

Rotator cuff tendonotis
Plantar fascitis
Tennis elbow (radial epicondilitis)
Golfers elbow (medial epicondilitis)
Tendinosis calcarea (painful limitation of shoulder movement due to calcification of shoulder tendons )
Bursitis ( Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.)
Patellar tendonitis ( jumpers knee)
Tibialis anterior syndrome
Achilles tendonitis
Achillodynia
Heel spurs
Hallux limitus
Various chronic enthesiopathies (painful irritation of tendon attachments due to overexertion and improper strain, or due to a degenerative process)
Various sports injuries
Painful trigger points(acute and chronic painful neck,back, shoulder and etc. due to chronically shortened and thickened muscle tissue)
Many other conditions not listed above