A shockwave is broadly defined as a region of abrupt change both in air pressure and density that moves away from its point of origin at or even above the speed of sound. Shockwaves were first identified, and some of their effects first noted, during the Second World War. During that time doctors came into contact with soldiers and sailors who were experiencing mysterious disruptions to their lungs but had no other obvious signs of injury. What the physicians at that time concluded was that these lung (and other) problems were the result of exposure to shock waves caused either by depth charges in the water or artillery shells or bombs exploding in the atmosphere.
From Battlefield to Clinic
During the post-war years curious medical professionals the world over began looking into the phenomenon of shock waves and exploring their potential medical use. There were hundreds of controlled experiments that demonstrated the power of the shockwave beyond any reasonable doubt with most experiments conducted through water. Researchers both in the US and Germany began subjecting animals to water-borne shockwaves and concluded that the lungs, brain, stomach, kidneys and intestines were particularly susceptible to these energy pulses. 1971 saw a kidney stone succumb to the power of the shockwave for the first time. By the end of that decade the practice had become fairly commonplace and there was more than one shockwave therapy machine available just for that purpose.
Toward a Broader Application
By the mid-1980s machines were available that no longer depended on a water medium and over the next decade the new technology was refined and put through extensive trials. The type and number of maladies the technology was able to treat also greatly expanded from kidney stones to a variety of orthopedic conditions, pseudarthrosis, osteochondrosis and a variety of tendon and ligament ailments. As the application base expanded so too did the need to develop a shockwave device specifically for orthopedists. By the late 1990s such devices began to come online and today, some 20 years later, the culmination of 2 decades of research and refinement is the Swiss DolorClast extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy machine.
The New World of Swiss DolorClast Therapy
The Swiss DolorClast extracorporeal shockwave therapy machine is transforming the field of physical therapy and opening up a new world of effective, timely, pain free recovery for people suffering from all manner of conditions. Today it is considered the state of the art therapeutic approach for:
Plantar fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis can be extremely painful and, until now, devilishly difficult to treat with any effectiveness. Previously treatment had centered on NSAIDs and rest. The Swiss DolorClast method shocks the plantar fascia, stimulates blood flow, dulls the pain and promotes healing within the aggrieved tissue at the heel.
Tennis elbow – Tennis elbow is another vexing condition with few practical long term treatments other than rest and NSAIDs. Often times this approach will not yield any worthwhile results and the physician may call for a splint and/or various flexibility exercises. The Swiss DolorClast method brings relief directly to the inflamed tendons, stimulating blood flow and relieving pain and stiffness.
Stress fractures – Up to now treatment of stress fractures has centered almost exclusively on rest and keeping any and all weight off the bone in question. Such an approach can typically result in a recovery period of at least 6 or 8 weeks and in some cases considerably longer. The Swiss DolorClast shockwave method has been shown to accelerate bone healing and to strengthen the bone beyond what would be expected from the traditional hands-off method of recovery. As a result recovery times are reduced as are incidents of repeat fractures.
Patellar tendinitis – Traditional treatments for patellar tendinitis consist of NSAIDs, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, a patellar strap that helps support the tendon, corticosteroids and even surgery in severe cases. The Swiss DolorClast radial shockwave therapy machine is often recommended today over traditional therapies because of its outstanding success rate of nearly 90%. It can be the therapy of first choice or can be brought into play if other therapeutic methods have failed.
Golfer’s elbow – Treatment for golfer’s elbow has tended to focus on NSAIDs and physical therapy. While some obtain relief via these methods that relief can be a long time in the making; typically 3 months or more. When such an approach does not yield satisfactory results surgery is often called for. Or at least it used to be. Today, traditional treatments can be augmented by or substituted with the Swiss DolorClast extracorporeal shockwave method. This method has a more than 70% success rate when used by itself with even higher numbers when used in conjunction with an effective physical therapy regime.
Acute bursitis – Treatments for acute bursitis have typically covered all the usual, and often ineffective, bases including rest, avoiding those activities which caused the distress, ice, NSAIDs physical therapy and even surgery. Today, however, the Swiss DolorClast method provides a better, faster, more effective treatment regimen. Your patients will be back on the court or in the gym in less time with no side effects.
Rotator cuff problems – Rotator cuff problems have destroyed the career of many an athlete. Treatment has typically ranged from wait and see to arthroscopic surgery and everything in between. Today, however, clinical studies have shown beyond a doubt that extracorporeal shockwave therapy can produce noticeable improvement in rotator cuffs beset by calcific tendinitis. And this is the case whether the clinician applies high-energy or low-energy from the shockwave therapy machine.
Various types of chronic pain – Chronic pain has been one of the most distressing conditions facing doctors and therapists for many years. Its causes are often not fully understood and in many cases traditional treatment options are simply not able to produce effective relief. Those treatment options also typically come down heavily on the medication side of things and as a result, a slew of other risks are presented to the already suffering patient. Applying Swiss DolorClast extracorporeal shockwave therapy to areas beset by chronic pain has shown significant promise and treatment methodologies continue to be revised and refined.
Achilles tendinitis – Achilles tendinitis can be excruciatingly painful, making even the simple process of walking around the house an enervating slog. Treatments for this debilitating condition range from rest and OTC pain relievers to steroid injections, platelet rich plasma injections, braces, ice, stretching exercises, special shoes, rest and, of course, surgery. The Swiss DolorClast extracorporeal shockwave method however brings focused relief directly to the affected tendon, stimulates blood circulation and healing and can have your patients back on their feet in no time.
Migraines – Migraines are a unique condition that can sideline seemingly healthy individuals and are often frightening and disorienting. Auras, nausea, light sensitivity, vomiting and more are commonplace. Effective migraine treatments are rare and most sufferers are reduced to simply waiting it out. There is evidence to suggest however, that the ability of shockwave treatment to improve circulation and relieve stress and strain can be beneficial in the treatment of migraines. Tension headaches have also been shown to respond positively to shockwave treatment as well as other conditions caused by or related to strain, blood circulation or repetitive stress.
Yet More Advantages of the Swiss DolorClast System from EMS
One of the most attractive aspects of this leading edge therapy is the fact that it is done on an outpatient basis. In addition there is no need for medication, sedation, surgery or extensive preparations. Your patients simply show up at the appointed time and are administered the therapy by yourself or your clinician. The treatment is completely non-invasive, painless and quick with no risk of collateral damage to other aspects of the physiology, no chance of addiction (as often happens with painkillers) and no lingering ill effects after a session. So, to sum up, with the Swiss DolorClast extracorporeal shockwave method there is:
- No hospital admission required, no overnight stays
- No anesthetic, no medication and no side effects
- No surgery of any kind
- Fast, effective relief from pain
- No need to worry about drug interactions