Technologies developed with sound waves in the field of medicine have many uses. Sound waves, which are used for both diagnosis and treatment, support a faster approach to health problems. ESWT, also known as shock wave therapy, creates an alternative therapy method especially for some medical complaints related to the movement and support system. For detailed information about ESWT therapy, its uses and benefits, you can review the rest of the article.
What is ESWT (Shock Wave) Therapy?
ESWT (shock wave) therapy is used to eliminate various health problems in the body. is a method. ESWT shock wave therapy, which is the abbreviation of the term extracorporeal shock wave therapy, can provide solutions for complaints in many different areas such as soft tissue, skin, skeletal and muscular system. Shock waves that occur during ESWT have a number of characteristics unique to them. These sound waves, which have features such as single pulse, short duration and high pressure, have positive and negative phases. While a direct mechanical effect is created on the body in the positive phase, a secondary shock effect occurs with the explosion of gas bubbles in the tissue in the negative phase. Shock waves, which have a peak pressure about 1000 times stronger than ultrasound waves, are used by focusing on a specific tissue area. Thus, various cells in the tissue are stimulated and structures are rearranged. In ESWT treatment, different types of devices can be preferred according to the area of use:
- Electrohydraulic
- Piezoelectric
- Electromagnetic
- Radial
- Focused ESWT: It is a form of application in which shock waves and the energy transferred by these waves are targeted at a certain point. Since it is focused on a single point, the desired effect can be observed even in deep tissues. At the same time, damage to the surrounding tissues is avoided. Although it is a frequently preferred method, imaging techniques such as ultrasound should be performed by an experienced specialist as it carries high energy and can reach deep tissues. It should be applied with i.
- Focused shock wave therapy: It is a different form of treatment in which the waves produced by the device cover a larger area. It can be used in the treatment of problems such as superficial ulcers on the skin.
- Radial therapy: In this application, which has some differences compared to shock waves emerging with other methods, the waves penetrating the skin surface with a linear type of pressure weaken as they go deeper.
In Which Situations Is ESWT Applied?
Although ESWT had a more limited application area when it was first developed, it is an effective method in the treatment of many health problems today. Your specialist may recommend ESWT application within the framework of different devices and techniques for your current medical complaints. The situations in which ESWT treatment is preferred can be listed as follows:
- Rotator cuff syndrome: It is the problem of strain in arm movements and muscle weakness that occurs due to damage to the cuff ligaments in the shoulder region.
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) : Pain and difficulty in movement associated with damage to the tendons extending to the outer part of the elbow as a result of excessive and misuse of the forearm muscles.
- Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow): It is caused by the strain of some muscles in the forearm area and is associated with the elbow and elbow. It is a condition characterized by pain in the inner parts of the arm between the wrist alignments.
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: It is the clinical picture observed with pain in the outer region of the hip as a result of damage to the muscle, bursa and tendon structures on the thighbone.
- Leg tendinopathies: Conditions where the tendon structures, where the leg muscles attach to the bones, are damaged due to factors such as incorrect movement and excessive strain.
- Patellar tendinopathy: It covers damage and inflammation (inflammation) processes in the patellar tendon in the knee region. and pain in the same area is a health problem that shows difficulty in movement.
- Achilles tendinitis: It is the damage of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, due to overuse. It is characterized by stiffness, severe pain and difficulty in movement in the tendon area.
- Medial tibial stress (runner's leg) syndrome: It is a condition that occurs as a result of straining the muscles at the level of the shinbone. It causes pain in the inner parts of the lower leg.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) syndrome: It is a problem of mobility and pain that occurs as a result of stiffening of the ligament structures in the shoulder region due to various factors. It may occur as a result of less use of the shoulder for different reasons such as rotator cuff syndrome affecting this region or in relation to previous surgeries.
- Plantar fasciitis: It is one of the most common causes of pain in the heel region. It occurs due to inflammation and hardening of the plantar fascia structure that passes under the heel bone. In the delay of union, although the union takes longer than expected, no additional surgical intervention is needed. In the problem of nonunion, a fracture that has not developed for at least 3 months and has not healed for more than 9 months in total is mentioned. In this form of osteonecrosis, since the femur bone cannot be fed adequately, the cells are damaged and joint problems occur. .
How is ESWT Treatment Applied?
If you are thinking of benefiting from shock wave therapy, applying to the appropriate health institution among the hospitals that provide ESWT therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitation, You can talk to a doctor who is an expert in fields such as orthopedics. In order to have shock wave therapy, first of all, some examinations and tests are performed by your doctor. Then, a program suitable for your personal characteristics and general health status is prepared. There are variable number of sessions and application times for shock wave therapy from person to person. The best decision in this regard can be made with the advice of a doctor. The course of treatment is an average of 3 weeks. Usually 1 session per week is applied. each sea After ns, the individual's level of improvement as a result of that treatment is observed. For full results, the number of sessions can be increased when the doctor deems it necessary. After the sessions, especially those with intense athletic activities should avoid excessive activity for a day or two.
Benefits of ESWT Therapy
ESWT therapy is one of the interventional techniques in cases where no significant benefit can be seen with other methods. offers an alternative solution that can be preferred first. ESWT, when done correctly in appropriate people, helps to achieve significant results. The advantages of ESWT treatment and the benefits demonstrated by scientific studies are as follows:
- It is a non-invasive method: ESWT therapy is administered through a number of special devices and applicators attached to them. The sound waves sent by targeting to various areas such as shoulders, arms, legs, hips and wrists over the skin reach the desired area and show effect by being transmitted between the tissues. In this way, efficient results can be obtained without the need for interventional treatments such as surgery, especially in appropriately selected individuals. Another important advantage for those who have ESWT treatment is that it has a lower risk of complications compared to surgical methods, so it has a favorable recovery period in terms of comfort.
- Contributes to bone healing: There are results showing that osteoblast cells are stimulated, thereby promoting the production of new bone tissue. Cells stimulated by ESWT accelerate the healing process by supporting the synthesis of protein and hormonal substances necessary for bone development. Intensive scientific studies in this area show that ESWT treatment activates bone metabolism, increasing the development of anatomical structures and the synthesis of biological factors operating in the whole process.
- Supports tendon repair: During ESWT applications, collagen and cells in the tendon structure are targeted. In this way, the genes responsible for type 1 and 3 collagen production are activated. synthesis is increased. In scientific studies, it is stated that ESWT treatment also has positive effects on the repair of vascular structures at the bone-tendon junction. data is available. ESWT therapy may be beneficial in traumatic, diabetic and venous ulcers that cannot yield significant results with other methods. ESWT is a method that supports the acceleration of tissue repair by supporting the development of new vessels. Thus, it contributes to the regeneration of skin, bones and many other areas by increasing circulation.
- It is beneficial against spasticity problems: Spasticity is defined as an abnormal increase in muscle tone. In clinical scientific studies performed, it is stated that long-term significant improvement in muscle spasticity is observed with ESWT application. There are also research results showing that ESWT treatment is effective for spasticity caused by cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy). The ESWT method, which has become increasingly common, can be preferred as a non-invasive alternative, especially for the treatment of diseases that cannot be resolved with other medical methods and require surgical procedures. However, it is recommended to make sure that you meet the appropriate criteria and that the treatment is carried out by a specialist team in order for you to benefit significantly from the ESWT technique. If you are thinking of benefiting from ESWT treatment, you should consult your doctor by consulting a health institution experienced in this field.
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