What is Focused Shock Wave Therapy?
Focused shock wave therapy - sometimes known as Focused Shockwaves
- can provide more depth penetration
for deeper tissue than radial waves, focusing its output into more
localised, more profound areas.
Focused waves are made through a cone of crystals, and these cones
focus the energy field when an electrical
current is applied. The energy causes a pressure wave that can move
through the skin without losing power in a
concentrated zone.
Fortunately, the site of the applicator on the skin experiences a
minimal impact, limiting the damage to surface
skin and underlying soft tissues (safer & more comfortable).
While radial waves are applied all over a local area, FSWT treats
at defined points within the body and is further
adapted depending on the required depth.
This accuracy feature makes Focused Shock wave Therapy much better
for treating issues affecting tissues
deeper within the body (hips and lower limb conditions).
KEY BENEFITS:
Not only is the effectiveness better with Focused-ESWT, but the
skipping-the-skin part means you don't
stimulate the skin sensory network; this leads to a more
comfortable session. and due to the comfort levels
being better higher doses can often be used
The Benefits:
With its progressive technological advancements, Extracorporeal
Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT/ESWT)
delivers an evidence-based*, non-surgical solution for patients
suffering from chronic heel pain.
It addresses the increasing demand for patient convenience, less
down-time and risk, as well as better clinical
and economic outcomes, and improved practice efficiencies and
cash-flow.
Health care professionals are using ESWT to successfully treat
acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain and/or
Foot and ankle Lower extremity Upper extremity Back and chest
Shoulder Neck Myofascial trigger points
Mechanism of Action
The focused shockwave causes deep cell stimulation that releases
growth factors responsible for tissue
regeneration and the initiation of healing processes in the damaged
tissues.
It is a gold standard treatment for deep-lying tendinopathies,
calcifications, and delayed bone healing
conditions, such as pseudoarthrosis.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) uses acoustic pulses to
treat certain musculoskeletal disorders.
It is a well-studied and commonly used treatment modality for a
variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (fESWT) is used
successfully for:
Deep indications, such as Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder
Sub-acute or chronic pathologies
Deep calcified lesions or myotendinous tears, nonunions fractures
or enthesopathies located on the
elbow and recalcitrant to heal
Comparing Radial vs Focused Shock Wave Therapy (Depth)
When comparing radial and focused shock wave therapy, the main
considerations are penetration
depth and localisation of the treatment.
As you’d imagine, the greater the depth penetration of the waves,
the easier it is to treat deep issues
in the tendons, muscles or bones.
focused vs radial extracoropeal shock wave therapy and depth
penetration Wimbledon Chiropractic
Sports Injury Clinic
When it comes to a deep area like a hamstring or hip for instance
there is little contest and focused
shock wave therapy is the way to go.
What’s The Difference Between Radial & Focused Shock Waves (The
Physics)?
While radial waves are good at providing relief over a wider area
and can treat low-depth issues
such as those on the Achilles or elbow, other conditions can
require more focused treatments.
Radial waves are characterised by three key points
- they have lower maximum intensity,
- they have a divergent wave
- they deliver their maximum intensity to a ‘superficial’ area i.e
low depth. This depth is usually around 3 - 4cm.
Focused shock waves allow for ‘adjustable’ penetration depending on
where needs to be treated and are ideal
for treating deeper problem areas such as hamstring, pelvic or hip
issues.
Focused waves are characterised as having a higher maximum
intensity, delivered as a convergent wave
with an adjustable depth of focal area. This can range between 2
and 30cm.
The reason the waves are different is down to how the therapy is
applied. While
- RSWT follows a pneumatic principle, using compressed air and
transmitters to determine the wave shape
- FSWT follows an electroacoustic principle, using electromagnetism
and coupling pads to apply deeper,
focused and adjustable waves.
Is There A Difference In Pain Levels Between The Two Types Of ESWT?
Radial therapy is typically more painful because of the way it is
applied.
is radial shockwave more painful than focused shock wave therapy
With the vibrating nature of the Radial Shock Wave Treatment (SWT),
the extra skin stimulation, and the fact that
Radial SWT is delivered over a larger area, it is generally more
uncomfortable.
With this additional discomfort, we now only use the Focused/
Painless SWT type, so our clients are comfortable.
However, the sports injury department still uses the radial SWT
type for price-conscious clients.
Focused Shock Wave Therapy, on the other hand, can be used in more
acute cases, i.e. cases that are causing
the patient more pain, as it's deemed as 'painless' compared to the
Radial type.
Specification :
| product name | focused shock wave |
| technology | focused shock wave |
| energy | 10 bar |
