Extracorporeal shock wave therapy – sound against pain
Shock waves have been used for 25 years in medicine to treat gallstones and kidney stones.
Now the technology is also used in orthopaedics, where particularly short pressure impulses of very high energy are aimed at problem areas to induce inflammatory processes in the tissue and promote blood circulation.
Shock waves have a positive effect on the body
Shock wave therapy not only promotes blood circulation but also stimulates nerve fibres in the affected area. This leads to pain reduction, helps the body to release its own anti-inflammatory substances and activates the body’s immune system.
Shock wave therapy is versatile against pain
Our orthopaedic practice at Lake Starnberg successfully applies shock waves to treat pain of the musculoskeletal system. The therapy is particularly effective in the following conditions:
• calcium inclusions in the shoulder
• tennis or golfer’s elbow
• bone spurs
• bone fracture healing disorders
• tendonitis at the hip crest
• stress pain on the kneecap
• stress pain on the shinbone
• irritation of the Achilles tendon
• heel inflammation
• painful irritation of the tendon insertions
• acute and chronic pain, e.g. in the back, shoulder or neck, or caused by permanent shortened muscles.
The therapy can also treat pain by stimulating acupuncture and muscle trigger points.
What does shock wave therapy involve?
The patient sits or lies on a couch. The therapist places the sound wave head to focus on the point of maximum pain then applies 2000 to 4000 sound impulses with a frequency of 15 bursts per second to the affected area. The duration of the treatment is 10 to 15 minutes, but the patient must allow about half an hour for the entire session. Usually, 3 to 6 sessions at intervals of 1 week are necessary.
Our orthopaedic practice in Tutzing offers comprehensive individual consultations on shock wave therapy.