Since making its medical debut in the 1980s, medical professionals have practiced extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) across the world. Following its introduction to the clinical professions, clinicians quickly began using the therapy to treat various ailments.
Originally, ESWT was developed to break up kidney stones within the body. Since then, ESWT has made major advancements in the areas it can treat.
As the excitement around this new therapy arose, as did the desire for ESWT products.
To understand why every medical profession needs ESWT products, follow along with this guide. These facts help to explain the primary uses of ESWT medical equipment, as well as how your patients can benefit from them.
What Is ESWT?
ESWT is a non-invasive therapy aimed at treating pain through the delivery of high-energy sound waves. Treatment sessions are typically short and consist of using these waves to target injured areas of the body.
Depending on the extent of the injury, some patients can begin to feel relief in as little as one or two sessions.
To add, ESWT can be broken into two areas of technical principles. These include focused ESWT (F-ESWT) and radial pressure waves (RPW). Each principle requires a different device to apply treatment due to the variation in procedural steps.
For example, RPW focuses on larger, superficially injured areas of the body at a low energy density. F-ESWT is more precise and administered at a higher density.
Key Uses of ESWT Products
Medical professionals in physiotherapy, orthopedics, and sports injuries use ESWT to treat patients. These specialties focus on restoring mobility and managing pain, exemplifying the very purpose of ESWT.
Additionally, some patients prefer receiving treatment within a hospital-based setting. For this reason, it is not uncommon for ESWT to be practiced by medical staff in hospitals.
Commonly-Treated Areas
ESWT is most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain. The therapy works by increasing blood circulation in areas with inflamed tissue. This process helps regenerate the tissue and aid in a patient’s recovery.
ESWT products can treat many areas of the body that experience either acute or chronic pain. Some areas that are commonly treated include:
- Back
- Hand
- Neck
- Knee
- Foot
- Elbow
To add, ESWT has also shown effectiveness in patients with conditions such as plantar fasciitis and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. This form of therapy is typically used on patients who have previously tried other non-invasive procedures and seen no apparent improvements.
Promising Applications
The use of ESWT is expanding beyond traditional treatments of soft tissue injuries. These conditions include:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Calcific tendonitis (rotator cuff)
ESWT treatments have shown promising yet inconsistent results when treating chronic shoulder pain. Additional research, with larger sample sizes, must be conducted to conclude that ESWT is an effective method of treatment.
Benefits
ESWT is a non-surgical approach. The term “extracorporeal” quite literally refers to actions occurring outside the body.
For this reason, ESWT produces many benefits for your patients.
Rate of Recovery
The use of anesthesia is not required for non-surgical procedures. Patients are able to recover faster, without post-surgery grogginess or physician recommended downtime.
This makes it easier for patients to receive more treatments within a shorter period of time. Depending on the severity of their pain, patients may need to return for follow-up treatments and can do so without having to recover in between.
Low Risk of Infection and Side Effects
The risk of developing a post-treatment infection following an ESWT procedure is quite low. Since this is a non-invasive surgery, the patient will not be left with scarring or open wounds.
These wounds can be vulnerable to infections if not properly cared for. ESWT eliminates this risk.
You may also recommend ESWT to patients for its low risk of residual side effects. Alternative treatments for musculoskeletal pain, such as prescribed medication, often have long lists of side effects in exchange for pain management.
A Flexible Approach
Typical approaches to pain management are not always ideal for every patient. Factors such as a range in mobility, financial standing, or personal preferences may impact which treatment you recommend.
Other suggested treatments for patient pain include:
- Muscle-strengthening through exercise
- Acupuncture/acupressure
- Chiropractic care
- Physical/occupational therapy
Although these methods may work for some patients, ESWT provides a universal technique, regardless of the patient’s situation. It is recommended that you work with your patient when deciding which methods are right for them.
Cost
When purchasing a piece of ESWT equipment, you can expect to see a wide range of prices depending on certain product features. This may include the brand and size of the machine.
Depending on the size of your workplace and your profession, you can choose between different models of the brand’s shockwave devices. Oceanus, a reliable company in the medical equipment field, produces high-quality ESWT machines at a comparatively low-cost.
Their clinical shockwave therapy products include the PhysioPro and the PhysioPro II.
PhysioPro
The PhysioPro offers a user-friendly interface with a 7.0” color touchscreen. Its pre-set, multi-treatment program makes this device perfect for medical professionals with patients who have a wide range of conditions.
Outpatient Supply offers two models of Oceanus’ PhysioPro ESWT machine for you to compare and contrast. Regardless of which PhysioPro model you choose, you can feel confident in your decision.
The PhysioPro shockwave device performs at optimal performance, ensuring your patient receives the quality service they deserve at a cost you can afford.
Addressing Patient Pain
The relationship you build over time with your patients symbolizes how you, as a professional operator. With the right equipment, you can ensure that standard is continuously met for all patients, whether you treat them once or over their lifetime.
Outpatient Supply is dedicated to the advancement of your patients’ care. To receive more information on any of our ESWT products, or to inquire about our services, send us a message through our website.