What is Acoustic Wave Therapy?
Acoustic Wave Therapy is an innovative, non-invasive treatment involving high frequency, short duration, bursts of high-energy pulses that are transmitted into injured tissues. These high intensity pulses of mechanical energy stimulate the injured tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, bone, etc.) at a cellular level, which promotes a healing response. This Therapy is also known as Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT)
The force imparted by the shockwave has been shown to be extremely effective in the breakdown of calcium deposits and scar tissue. Decomposition of these can lead to drastically increased function and mobility, and provides an almost immediate relief from pain.
Additionally, acoustic waves release extremely contracted sarcomeres present in trigger points, which can then lead to the release and relaxation of associated muscles.
Furthermore, acoustic wave therapy stimulates cells in your body called osteoblasts and fibroblasts. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone healing and creating new bone tissue, while fibroblasts are responsible for healing connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
Ultimately, this treatment strategy accelerates the healing process in the body by stimulating the metabolism, growth factors, and enhancing blood circulation to repair damaged tissue. The literature has shown this technique to be very successful!
Here at Inland Wellness & Vitality we have been trained and certified in Active Integrated Radial Pressure Wave Therapy TM. This is a unique utilization of Acoustic Wave Therapy that has been developed and refined over 10 years and thousands of patients. We are the only provider of this therapy in the Inland Northwest.
Musculoskeletal Conditions AWT is indicated For:
General conditions:
- Stress fractures
- Tendonitis/tendinopathy
- Muscle shortening/tightness
- Trigger points
- Calcific tendinosis
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Scar tissue
- Heterotopic ossification (myositis ossificans)
- Cellulite
- Wrinkles
- Lymphedema
Foot and ankle:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s neuroma
- Hallux rigidus
- Achilles tendonitis
- Shin splints
Knee and thigh:
- Jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy)
- Osgood Schlatter
- Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome
- Patella tracking pain
Hip:
- Bursitis
- Piriformis syndrome
Back and neck:
- Chronic pain
Shoulder:
- Frozen shoulder
- Bursitis
- Calcific rotator cuff
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
- Subscapularis
- Biceps
Elbow:
- Tennis and golfer's elbow
Hand:
- Dupuytren's contracture
What to Expect
Depending on the sensitivity of the injury, some discomfort may result during treatment. If pain is experienced your physician or therapist can adjust the intensity of the therapy, to promote analgesia at the start of your treatment. The V Actor applicator can be applied before the treatment to release the muscles in a gentle way and after to remove waste products, thus reducing any pain during and after your treatment sessions.
Many patients experience a decrease or complete absence of pain immediately after treatment. Bruising, swelling, and on rare occasions, skin breakdown may occur. There may be some soreness 1-2 hours afterwards due to an inflammatory response of the body to the shockwave. This is normal and is your body’s way of healing itself and regenerating the targeted tissue.
Long-term pain relief and tissue healing can be expected after only a short number of treatments, and in many cases long-standing, chronic conditions are drastically improved.
Scientifically Proven Results:
91% improvement for Calcific Tendonitis
– Journal of American Medical Association, 2003
90% success rate for Plantar Fasciitis
– Foot & Ankle International, 2012
85% success rate for Shin Splints
– American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010
76% success rate for Achilles Tendinopathy
– The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007
8 times more effective for Hamstring Tendinopathy than regular physical therapy and chiropractic treatment
– The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010