Medical Effects of Shockwave Therapy

24 February 2017
 Categories: , Blog

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Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical therapy that's commonly used in treating pains and impairments. Due to its effectiveness, shockwave therapy has the potential of replacing surgical procedures for orthopedic disorders -- therefore putting an end to associated surgical risks. The therapy operates by carrying high energy to the patient's painful spots. This high energy facilitates regeneration and reparative processes of the tendons, bones, and other soft tissues. There are several medical effects generated by the therapy that leads to repair and healing processes.

Reversing Chronic Inflammation

When the inflammatory process in your body is not halted, it leads to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can cause serious damage to healthy tissues, and eventually lead to pain. The acoustic waves – in shockwave therapy – help in reversing chronic inflammation, helping you to restore normal healing.

Formation of New Blood Vessels

 In order for your pain to properly heal, nutrient blood flow is essential. Shockwave therapy creates capillary microruptures on bones and tendons. Microruptures increase growth of VEGF, MBP, eNOS, and PCNS. All these processes help in remodelling your arterioles. These new blood vessels help in improving blood supply. In addition, the vessels help in oxygenation of the treated area.

Dispersing the Pain Mediator

The pain mediator is known as substance P. This neurotransmitter sends pain information through C-fibres. Shockwave therapy lowers the concentration of Substance P and consequently lowers stimulation of the fibres. This whole process triggers pain relief.

Trigger Points

A trigger point is the exact cause of your pain on your neck, back, limbs, or shoulders. These triggers have sarcomeres. Any dysfunctional sarcomeres can contract so tightly that it can break its own blood supply. This leads to buildup of waste products which irritate sensory nerves.  The result is more contraction -- and the vicious cycle is known as "metabolism crisis".  Shockwave therapy helps in reversing this metabolism crisis.

Dealing with Calcium Fibroblasts

Micro-tears – or trauma to tendon – can cause calcium build-up. Shockwave therapy breaks this build-up of calcium. The particles of calcium are removed by the lymphatic system.

Production of Collagen

Collagen is a structural protein found in your connective tissues and skin. This is the most plentiful protein in your body and is useful for blood clotting. As a building block of your tendons, muscles, skin, ligaments, and bones, its absence in your body may slow down healing process of the affected areas. Essentially, collagen acts as glue that links all these together. Shockwave therapy stimulates production of collagen to help in the repair process of damaged ligament structures.