The Principle

Shockwaves are acoustic waves with high energy peak. They are targeted to aching bones and muscle tissue. The released energy promotes endogenous repair mechanisms to support the regeneration of damaged tissue.

Fields of Application

In the field of orthopaedics and rehabilitation medicine, it is a relatively new treatment method. Typical indications:

  • Heel spur
  • Bursitis
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Patellar tendinopathy
  • Torn muscle fiber
  • Tennis and golfer’s elbow
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatic diseases
  • Tendinitis
  • Trigger Points
  • Spinal syndromes
  • Tension headache, migraine

Shockwave therapy is used increasingly in Aesthetic Medicine:

  • Metabolic disorders (cellulite, saddlebags)
  • Scar treatment
  • Treatment of stretch marks

Effects

The effects of shockwaves occur at different levels :

  1. Cellular Level
    Shockwave pulses release numerous neurotransmitters. These induce biological responses with regenerative effects on the tissue.
  2. Circulation
    A normal blood flow is critical to the healing process of damaged tissue. Shockwaves stimulate circulation and accelerate endogenous regeneration. Moreover, they can support the formation of new blood vessels.
  3. Pain Reduction
    Shockwaves contribute to pain relief in many ways. Primarily, by overstimulation of afferent nerve fibers that transmit pain stimuli to the brain. This causes a blockage of pain signals and the prevention of pain transmission.
  4. Reduction of enhanced muscle tone
    Shockwaves reduce the contractile activity of muscles and thus counteract muscle tension – even chronic forms. Furthermore, they can dissolve trigger points.

Treatment

2-5 sessions in intervals of one week.

A therapy session takes between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on the disease being treated.

Between treatments, patients are able to perform all normal daily activities.

Some patients report immediate pain relief. Usually, however, the healing process takes between 6 and 8 weeks.