Shockwave Therapy in Missouri Valley

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Therapy (EPAT) is a therapeutic treatment in Missouri Valley that is highly effective at treating a variety of soft tissue conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and Achilles’ tendinopathy, among many others.

What is Shockwave Therapy in Missouri Valley?

Shockwave ESWT / EPAT was originally developed in the 1970s as a method for treating kidney stones known as lithotripsy. This then led to the discovery that shockwaves have a healing ability on musculoskeletal pain and chronic conditions.

The term “Shockwave” is misleading, there is no electrical shock given during the treatment process. In fact, it is a mechanical force that is used. Shockwave works best on areas of chronic pain. It accelerates the healing process of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments by activating the body’s self-healing powers, particularly in cases where the body has been unable to do it on its own due to scar tissue. Healing occurs over several treatments with time in between by initiating an inflammatory response and vascularization to the area. The high energy acoustic waves that are transmitted through the surface of the skin and the body responds with increased metabolic activity around the area of the pain. This stimulates and accelerates the healing process and is especially useful for those suffering from the following:

• Foot – Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs & Achilles’ tendonitis
• Knee – Patellar tendonitis, jumper’s knee & shin pain
• Elbow – tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Shoulder – rotator cuff tendonitis & calcification
• Hip – trochanteric bursitis
• Muscles – various trigger points throughout the body and muscle tension
• Bones-Stress fractures, non-union’s (delayed bone healing)
• Nerves-Morton’s Neuroma

Treatment and Benefits

Most patients require about 3-6 treatments of Shockwave Therapy while Summus Laser Therapy is combined with Shockwave in the same session and in between with Chiropractic adjustments that affect the region being treated. Overall, a typical plan would consist of 6 to 12 treatments over a period of 3 to 6 weeks (severe, chronic conditions – longer). This is done to achieve the best outcome.

During treatment, gel is applied to the affected area. Then, using a hand-held device, we start with a lower energy and gradually increase with patient tolerance through the 3000 – 6000 pulse cycle. Most patients tolerate this treatment well and describe it as a mild diffuse soreness.

• 91% Success Rate (as per clinical studies)
• Non-invasive
• No anesthesia required
• No risk of infection
• No scarring
• No downtime
• Cost effective
• Faster, easier healing

The Valley Chiropractor is one of the few healthcare facilities in the area that offers Shockwave Therapy with combined Summus Laser Therapy (read below). Most people are good candidates for Shockwave Therapy, however patients who are pregnant, have a pacemaker or current cancer are not suitable for treatment. Patients can return to work/sport after treatments and in most cases, there is no downtime.

Combination of Shockwave and Summus Laser Therapy

The use of the Shockwave Therapy and Summus Laser Therapy depends on the location of the affected site and on the phase of condition. Typically, Shockwave Therapy is highly effective for many chronic muscle/tendon/joint problems. Shockwave is a first-line treatment for chronic disorders. It stimulates scar tissue breakup and the growth of improved circulation to enhance tissue repair. Summus Laser Therapy is a great follow-up therapy which can be used in same treatment session or, in between Shockwave sessions to decrease tissue irritation and achieve faster recovery. Combining these therapies improves the odds of a speedy recovery and a good outcome with maximal therapeutic benefits.

Research has shown that combined therapy observed significant improvement in all patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Compared with traditional methods of physical treatment, these combined therapies have an exceptionally good result, especially after a period of six months post treatment with a much smaller number of sessions. Also, results indicate that using the combined therapy at the same time provide significantly better results than using those methods separately.