Revolutionary Medicine - Shockwave Therapy
for Chronic Pain Sufferers
by C. Bailey-Lloyd
Article by, ©C. Bailey-Lloyd
Stripped from the scenes from science
fiction novels and films, shockwave therapy
is a newage alternative to chronic pain
sufferers. Utilized not only on humans
for over 25 years for urologic and orthopedic
conditions, shockwave therapy has even
been introduced to veterinary and equine
medicine as well. Helping individuals
suffering from a range of conditions,
including: golf or tennis elbow, stiff
shoulders, calcaneal spurs, joint calcification,
chronic tendon pain, and many other musculoskeletal
disorders; shockwave therapy could possibly
be the answer to help and healing.
To learn about Shockwave Therapy, I contacted
Ms. LuJean Smith (Public Relations' Director)
of Siemens Medical Solutions. In an informal
interview, I asked Ms. Smith a few questions
about this revolutionary therapy and how
it aids patients with healing:
[C. Bailey-Lloyd]: "Could you please
tell me who developed and first began
utilizing shockwave therapy?"
[L. Smith]: "German aerospace engineers
realized the concept caused pitting or
cavitation on aircraft parts. The first
use of the technology for health care
was for kidney stones in the 1970s."
(*Through further research, I discovered
that 98% of all kidney stones are treated
with shockwave therapy, also known as
lithotripsy.)
Ms. Smith explained exactly how shockwave
therapy works:
"A shockwave is created by an intense
change in pressure just as upi experience
witht he sonic boom of an aircraft or
the force you feel after a bolt of lightening.
The shock wave is an acoustic wave with
a quick rise in maximum pressure and a
frequency spectrum ranging from audible
to the far end of the ultrasonic scale.
Extracorpeal Shock waves used in medicine
today are created as a result of electromagnetic,
piezoelectric, or electro hydraulic generation.
Sonucur utilized an electromagnetic system
that consists of an electromagnetic coil
and opposing metal membrane. A high current
impulse is released through the coil to
create a strong magnetic field which causes
a current in the opposing metal membrane.
This current rapidly accelerates the membrane
away from the coil producing an acoustic
impulse in the surrounding water.
The acoustic impulse is focused by an
acoustic lens to direct the shock wave
energy to the target tissue. The acoustic
lens controls the focus size and the amount
of energy produced at the targeted tissue.
The mechanisms for healing are not fully
understood..."
Additionally, Ms. Smith expressed valuable
insight regarding scientific evaluation
supporting shockwave therapy. According
to scientific studies, shockwave increases
vascularization in treatment regions (based
on MRI results). Furthermore, shockwave
impact reduces pain from nerves as confirmed
through lab test results on isolated nerve
cells. And, consistent with Gate-Control
theory (Gate-Control therory predicts
that massaging a particular area stimulates
large diameter nerve fibres; whereby pain
relief is achieved.), shockwave eradicated
chronic pain memory via over-stimulation.
Siemen's Sonocur Basic system has an
articulating head that is placed directly
onto the area of treatment, where adjustments
are fine-tuned to the specific therapeutic
focus. Once adjusted, preset pulses (shockwaves)
are administered at low-energy levels;
thus permitting anesthesia-free therapy.
When asked how long treatment lasts,
Ms. Smith relayed that treatments generally
last 15-30 minutes and is standardly administered
over a course of three (3) treatments.
[C. Bailey-Lloyd]: "How long has this
treatment been in use and how successful
is it?"
[L. Smith]: "The treatments have been
used in Europe since the early 1990s.
Clinical Treatments in the US started
in 2000 with full approval for Sonocur
in 2002. Success rates vary due to physician,
experience and patient conditions. Studies
have shown patients with complete recovery,
patients with partial recovery, and patients
with little or no recovery. But in general,
65% - 70% of patients the results have
been quite favorable."
[C. Bailey-Lloyd]: "How effective is
shockwave therapy as opposed to other
conventional treatments?"
[L. Smith]: "Normal treatments for various
tendonapathies include steroid injections,
physical therapy, various orthopedic support
devices and in chronic conditions, even
surgery. Study data shows some chronic
patients have responded to none of the
aforementioned treatments and have shown
complete recovery with ESWL treatments.
(ESWL therapy is recommended for patients
that have a history of at least 6 months
pain and unfavorable results with at least
3 of the conventional treatments.)"
[C. Bailey-Lloyd]: "Are there any side
effects to this treatment? Please Explain."
[L. Smith]: "The 2 most common side effects
reported were slight nausea during the
actual treamtne (approx. 20% of study
patients) and soreness or stiffness the
next day after the treatment. (Much like
one feels the next day after a hard physical
workout.)"
Ms. Smith also told me that shockwave
therapy is readily used in approximately
175 sites across the Nation alone. Primarily
orthopedic, sports medicine and podiatrist
physicians provide shockwave therapy services.
Additionally, "...shockwave therapy is
approved by the FDA in uses for Chronic
Plantar fascilitis and medial or lateral
epicondylitis." Globally, "...shockwave
therapy is utilized for tendonapathies,
knees, shoulders, and treatment of Nonunion
fractures."
In closing, shockwave therapy has been
proven to stimulate and accelerate human
healing process. While research continues
at multiple sites around the country,
shockwave therapy is revolutionizing modern
medicine and effectively demonstrates
how to achieve overall health. To learn
more about shockwave therapy, or Sonucur
visit Siemens Medical Solutions at www.usa.siemens.com/medicalpressroom
or contact Ms. Lujean Smith at lujean.smith@siemens.com
To find a practitioner who utilizes shockwave
therapy, feel free to peruse our practitioner
directory at holisticjunction.com today.
© 2004 C. Bailey-Lloyd
© 2004 Lady Camelot
C. Bailey-Lloyd (Lady Camelot) currently
serves as the Public Relations' Director
for www.holisticjunction.com.
To contact Ms. Bailey-Lloyd, or to gain
article reprint permission, email her
at ladycamelot@holisticjunction.com
References:
01. Siemens Medical Solutions
www.usa.siemens.com/medicalpressroom
LuJean Smith, Manager, Public Relations
02. Southern California Orthopedic Institute
www.scoi.com/fellows/shock-wave-therapy.htm
03. Wisconsin Equine Clinic Horse Shockwave
Therapy
www.wisconsinequineclinic.com/html/shockwave_therapy.htm
04. Gate Control Theory
www.painforum.com/en/1/hcpmjgate.html
[All work by author is copyright protected.
If you would like to use this article,
please contact the author for permission.]
C. Bailey Lloyd,aka. Lady Camelot a freelance
writer, poet and artist, is currently
the Public Relations' Dir. of www.holisticjunction.com
