Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy | Its Importance in Modern day Physiotherapy Treatment

Are you suffering from joint pain or muscular pain, and you have taken many treatments which have not worked?  Then try Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical non-invasive treatment procedure used all over the world for treating a wide variety of painful conditions in your body. The treatment is imparted by well-trained physiotherapists for pain relief, mobility, and speed up the recovery. Shock wave focuses on bones and other tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a positive effect on a wide variety of tissues. In this blog, we will discuss the latest updated conditions which can be treated by this therapy and some queries which a patient can have in his mind before opting for Shockwave therapy.

 

Latest updated conditions treated by Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is not used as a short-term treatment but relieves pain and improves functionality in the long term. The conditions which can be treated by this therapy are:

• Tennis Elbow
• Golfer’s Elbow
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Rotator Cuff Strain
• Patella Tendinitis
• Tendonitis
• Jumper’s Knee
• Painful joints
• Heel Spur
• Insertional pain
• Hip and back pain
• Patellofemoral Tendinopathy
• Gluteal Tendinopathy
• Trigger points
• Non-union fractures
• Delayed healing
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Bone marrow edema
•  Achilles Tendinopathy.

 

How does it work?

Shockwave therapy is a high-energy acoustic wave applied to the chronic painful part of the injured soft tissue.  Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to focus on painful areas. These waves are absorbed into the body’s tissue and cells, stimulating regeneration and healthy growth of the bones, muscles, and tendons. Its re-starts the healing process:

• It desensitizes the nerve endings and immediately eases the pain.
• Boosts metabolism and blood circulation.
• Forms new blood vessels causing repair of damaged tissue.
• Reduces spasms and inflammation which in turn decreases pain and boosts mobility.
• Shockwave therapy promotes subchondral bone formation.
• It reduces micro-tears and other traumas.

 

How is the treatment given?

The treatment starts with a detailed assessment of the affected area. The physiotherapist designs a personalized treatment plan that suits the patient’s lifestyle. For the application, the gel is applied to the treatment area and the treatment time starts.

 

How long does the treatment last? 

The actual delivery of 2000-3000 shocks will take 10 minutes.  The patient might require 3-4 sessions a week before he/she feels pain relief.  Patients with more chronic conditions may need 5 sessions.  The effects of Shockwave Therapy continue to improve soft tissue changes weeks after the treatment.

 

How many Treatment sessions are required?

The treatment sessions depend upon the area to be treated, the phase of pain, and the response of the body towards the treatment varies from patient to patient. Most people need around 3 sessions, others might need 5 sessions.

 

Does the therapy hurt during and after the treatment session?

The tolerance for pain is different for different patients but most patients describe it as uncomfortable, though most of the patients easily cope with the treatment for a few minutes.  The therapist can tune the machine so that the patient can get used to it. Slight discomfort is usually experienced depending on the pain in the area and usually, the treatment time is 5 minutes. Immediately after the treatment, the patient experiences pain relief. Approximately after 2-4 hours, the patient may feel some tenderness in the treatment area which is tolerable.

 

What precautions should the patient take after the session?

The patients should refrain from carrying out any strenuous physical activity until 48 hours.

 

ESWT is a possible option in conservative therapy for the indications mentioned in this review. However, this option should be reserved for orthopedics specialists familiar with this therapy and these indications.

 

Arthritis

Arthritis | Its Treatment and Management by Physiotherapy

Are you suffering from Arthritis and are taking painkillers to suppress the pain caused by this condition? Then you should immediately take proper treatment before this condition progresses to a level where it might restrict the movement of the affected joints. Exercising every day and consulting a well-trained physiotherapist is one such step that can be beneficial. Arthritis targets the skin and multiple joints of the body affecting day to day life of an individual. This blog is written to give you a better understanding of arthritis, its types, and its physiotherapy management.

 

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, it affects one or multiple joints. The symptoms of this condition may develop over time and are not constant. Arthritis is broadly classified into three categories:

1: Osteoarthritis:

This type of arthritis occurs due to an injury or aging.

2: Rheumatoid arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis happens due to the immune system attacking (by accident) the functional cells of the body.

3: Infectious arthritis:

Infectious arthritis spreads to the joint from a different body part.

4: Juvenile arthritis

Juvenile arthritis takes place in children.

5: Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with psoriasis, it affects their skin and joints.

 

Physiotherapy management

Physiotherapy for arthritis is an effective and safe way to help:

• Decrease pain
• Reduce discomfort
• Strengthen the joints and muscles
• Improve mobility
• Helps in increasing the range of flexibility and motion.
• Restore the use of affected joints
• Prevent further damage to the joints
• Prevent progression of arthritis
• Maintain fitness
• Improve functionality.

 

Physiotherapy intervention

According to the patient's needs, the physiotherapist would tailor the exercises. The physiotherapy treatment program for arthritis includes:

1: Rest and Splinting:

Rest or splinting is recommended if required during the acute stage of the disease. Bed rest relieves extensive joint pain and puts the joints into rest at a functional position. Rest and splinting, diminishes pain and inflammation, to prevent stress, stiffness, and deformities.

 

2: Ultrasound Therapy:

Ultrasound therapy creates warmth and gentle heat that increases blood circulation in deeper tissues thus decreases pain and increases range of motion.

 

3: Transcutaneous electrical stimulations (TENS):

Transcutaneous electrical stimulations are found to be significantly effective in increasing strength. This helps to prevent the progression of the condition that limits movement and functionality in daily life.

 

4: Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT):

Low-level Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that reduces pain, inflammation and also increases mobility.

 

5: Paraffin Therapy:

Paraffin therapy is extremely beneficial for arthritis. It has a very high capacity for absorbing heat, which helps to improve the patient's performance while exercising.

 

6: Ice therapy:

Use of ice pack or cloth soaked in cold water can be applied to the affected area or by submerging the part in ice-cold water.  Ice packs can be used to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. 

 

7: Heat therapy:

Similarly, heat packs can also help decrease stiffness and improves blood circulation.  A heating pad, warm shower, hot water bottle on the affected area can be used. Heat packs can also help decrease stiffness and improves blood circulation.

 

8: Massages:

Moderate pressure massage is given by a trained physiotherapist. Massage therapy is proved to be helpful and soothing for many arthritis sufferers. Regular massages can relieve pain by lowering the production of cortisol (stress hormone) in the human body.

 

9: Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is another treatment that can be used as an intervention by the physiotherapist to stimulate the brain to release endorphins.

 

10: Exercise:

Graded exercises help reduce arthritis pain. These exercises are started slowly and then gently increased when progressed further.  These exercises strengthen the muscles and joints and increase overall fitness. Strengthening, endurance, stretching & stability exercises are a part of the exercise program. The therapist also advises holding correct body posture while carrying out daily activities to relieve pain and prevent further damage.

 

11: Hydrotherapy:

Physiotherapy for arthritis is not limited to simple exercises or the use of modalities only, but also extends to other exercises such as swimming which is a great form of exercise without putting pressure on the joints. Water-based exercises can relieve pressure on the joints, reduce body fat, and improve mood, coordination, and range of motion.

 

12: Assistive devices:

The physiotherapy also recommends assistive devices like wearing braces or walking with a cane.

 

13: Posture correction

Arthritis can also be caused due to bad body posture while sitting and working. Simple exercises at home or at the workplace can help in preventing arthritis. Some simple stretches include neck rotations, head tilts, leg raises, hamstring stretches, finger and thumb bends and wrist rotation to ease the tension in the joints while working on the desk.

 

Physiotherapy has beneficial effects on increasing physical capacity and reduces the activity of the disease. The physiotherapist provides patient education about their condition and makes them aware of the various physiotherapy options that are available to improve the quality of life.