“Let’s hit on pain” – shock wave therapy in the treatment of diseases and consequences of trauma
Throughout our lives, we are constantly faced with many stress factors that lead to premature wear and tear of our musculoskeletal system. These include:
Physical overload (work related to motor loads, prolonged sitting at the computer, physical monotonous work, fitness classes without due attention to the warm-up).
Injuries: fractures, dislocations, sprains.
Chronic microtraumatization, typical for team sports and weightlifting (football, jumping, squatting with a barbell, etc.).
Concomitant chronic diseases: osteochondrosis, flat feet, arthrosis, hormonal disorders, overweight, varicose veins of the lower extremities, etc.
Chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system reduces the quality of life, does not allow you to play your favorite sports, forces you to take painkillers for a long time, and contributes to the development of depression.
How does pain arise?
In case of damage to ligaments, muscles, places of attachment of the articular membranes to the bone, synovial bursae, etc. active substances are released from the destroyed cells – inflammatory mediators. This leads to the destruction of the surrounding tissues, and the effect of these substances on the nerve endings causes pain, which in turn causes vascular spasm. Violation of microcirculation slows down the process of recovery and elimination of inflammatory mediators. It turns out to be a vicious circle. In the area of damage, soft tissues become denser, and areas of micro-scarring and sclerosis are formed. At the edges of the bone, in the places of attachment of the ligaments and the synovium, osteophytes begin to grow, in everyday life they are referred to as “salt deposits”.
All these pathological processes contribute to the development of long-term pain syndrome. In most cases, the patient himself can pinpoint the area of pain, the so-called “trigger points”. Depending on the localization of the pathological process, various groups of diseases are distinguished:
In the area of muscle attachment to the bone – enthesopathy (periarthritis of the shoulder scapula, epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, subsequently causing a “heel spur”).
In the area of the location of the synovial bags – bursitis, including prepatellar bursitis in the area of the knee joint.
Joint inflammation and their consequences – arthritis, synovitis, arthrosis.
Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine – osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis.
How does shock wave therapy work?
Shockwave therapy is a method of exposure to acoustic impulses of significant amplitude, which are focused in a given area of the body, providing a precisely targeted therapeutic effect and without damaging healthy tissues of the body.
The mechanism of action of shock wave therapy is based on the phenomenon of the safe passage of a sound shock wave through healthy cells of the body and the destruction of inflamed cells.
Shock waves are focused on the target tissue, this is the area where pain occurs. By converting the mechanical action of the wave into biochemical and biomolecular signals, they break up into small parts (into separate molecules) “salt deposits”, calcifications, ossifications, fragmented blood clots and other dense formations. In addition, the shock wave effect enhances local metabolism and increases blood flow, which accelerates the elimination of clots, ossificates and other seals broken down into molecules, and also accelerates the processes of cell regeneration and renewal.
The resulting effect in diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Drug-free pain relief.
Reducing edema https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edema.
The gradual natural destruction of bone growths – calcifications and softening of fibrous areas.
Improving the elasticity of muscles, ligaments and tendons
Improvement of joint mobility, gradual increase in the volume of painless movements.
Contraindications:
Tumor formations at the site of exposure to shock waves
The presence of a bacterial inflammatory process at the site of exposure to shock waves
Epiphyseal disc at the site of exposure to shock wave therapy
It is impossible to influence UVT on the lung tissue.
Blood clotting disorders.
The use of drugs that thin the blood.
Shock wave therapy is a safe and effective treatment for pain in the musculoskeletal system.
