Well Wave
WHAT IS ACOUSTIC COMPRESSION THERAPY?
Acoustic Compression Therapy (ACT) also know as Extracorporeal Shock
Wave Therapy (ESWT) describes the use of acoustic pulses to treat
acute and chronic pain conditions of the musculoskeletal system. A
acoutic wave is an intense, short duration, acoustic energy wave that
is generated outside the body (extracorporeal). Acoustic waves are
focused so that they converge at a point deep within the soft tissue
where the pain originates. These acoustic waves exert a mechanical
stress on cells which stimulates re-initiation of stagnant healing
processes and the remodeling of various conditions.
Acoustic Compression Therapy (ACT) is a new technology using pulses
of sound energy called “acoustic waves” to treat painful conditions of
the musculo skeletal system. A acoustic wave is an intense, short
duration acoustic wave traveling faster than the speed of sound.
Acoustic Compression waves have been used successfully in the
treatment of chronic pain since the early ’90s. The science behind ACT
is the same as lithotripsy, a technology that makes use of acoustic
waves to break up kidney stones without surgery. Patients undergoing
lithotripsy procedures noticed that their unrelated aches and pains
were reduced, leading scientists to consider acoustic waves effect on
other tissue injuries. Specialized machines were developed
specifically with the idea of using the acoustic waves in other parts
of the body – and ACT was born.
Acoustic Compression Therapy, therefore, is specialized to
specifically help treat musculoskeletal conditions.
Applications include the treatment of and pain associated with
plantar fasciitis, sports related and repetitive stress injuries, and
trigger points. ACT is effective in the treatment of myofascial pain
syndrome which can be related to acute and chronic sports injuries,
repetitive stress and occupational injuries.
Research presented at the 2005 International Conference on ACT in
Vienna and the 2006 International Conference in Rio de Janeiro
demonstrated that acoustic wave therapy is also being studied for use
for a wide variety of conditions as disparate as skin ulcers and other
chronic dermatological lesions, infections, angina, arthritis, reflex
sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and certain neurological conditions.
Acoustic wave therapy is a highly efficient, non-surgical treatment
of chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system. This is a major area of
application in physiotherapy.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS ACT?
The vast majority of recent studies suggest that acoustic wave
therapy is highly effective and safe. Most recent independent studies
report a success rate between 65% and 95% at reducing the intensity of
pain that patients are experiencing. Like Most therapies, results are
influenced by patient selections and adherence to the prescribed
course of treatment.
Benefits of ACT:
* New non-invasive treatment method
* Drug-free pain relief
* Improved blood supply
* Stimulation of tissue
* Muscle relaxation
* Safe and effective
* Broad range of applications
* Short treatment cycle time
* Variable deep penetration
CONDITIONS TREATABLE WITH ACT
Chronic pain is one of the most common syndromes affecting many
hundreds of thousands of patients. The majority of these painful
conditions are triggered by ailments such as tennis elbow, calcaneal
heel spurs, calcifications of the shoulder joint and ischemic muscle
bands (triggerpoints). A chronic course with the pain continuing over
many years, both at rest and during activities, is not uncommon. The
use of acoustic waves to successfully treat these conditions is
supported by a wealth of clinical experience and scientific evidence.
In addition, acoustic wave technology is a valuable diagnostic tool
for the precise localiztion of myofascial trigger points.
Acoustic Compression Therapy has been used to successfully relieve
pain from the following conditions:
Tennis/golfer elbow
Foot and heel pain
Shoulder pain
Golfer’s elbow
Hip, knee and other leg discomforts
Pain related to repetitive stress activities
Adhesions
Trigger points
Chronic pain in transistional regions between tendons and muscles
Pain in the neck, shoulders, back and buttocks region
FREQUENT QUESTIONS FROM PATIENTS
WHAT DOES TRIGGER POINT ACOUSTIC WAVE THERAPY MEAN?
TPST involves planar or focused acoustic waves that are coupled into
the treatment area (trigger point) where they massage and stimulate
tissue and promote the healing process.
WHAT IS A TRIGGER POINT?
Trigger points are local shortenings in the muscles that can cause
referred pain in a zone that is typical for each muscle.
HOW DOES A FOCUSED ACOUSTIC WAVE WORK?
The therapeutic effects are:
* Alleviation of pain
* Muscle relaxation
* Improved blood supply
* Stimulation of tissue
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT TRIGGER POINT ACOUSTIC WAVE
THERAPY(TPST) COMPARED WITH OTHER METHODS?
With this technique, the myofascial trigger points can be treated in
the superficial and deeper muscle layers. The focus area is positioned
on the relevant muscle layer. In contrast to other forms of therapy
(compression techniques, injections etc.), there are no side-effects
in surrounding tissue layers.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
The intensity of the treatment is decided by the feedback from the
patient to the therapist so the treatment is not “painful”.
WHEN IS TPST USED?
TPST is used for treatment of the musculoskeletal system in which
pain is the main symptom. Very often pain, for which no obvious cause
can be found in medical examinations, is also linked to myofascial
trigger points. This pain can be diagnosed and treated very
successfully with TPST. Comprehensive knowledge of myofascial pain
syndrome gained in special courses is essential to this specific
treatment method.
HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT TAKE?
Treatment with TPST takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Normally, 1-2
treatments per week are performed. A total of 3-5 treatments are
necessary before lasting improvement is achieved. With acute pain, a
single session is often successful. Chronic long term issues may take
up to 8-10 sessions.
ARE THERE KNOWN SIDE-EFFECTS OF TPST?
No side-effects are known at the energy levels used in TPST.
