RPW Therapy Applications
Effective Treatment for Soft Tissue Pain
Radial Pressure Wave Therapy is a medical treatment that utilizes ultrasound technology to send high-energy radial pressure waves (RPWs) to the site of chronic pain. At the most basic level, RPW therapy stimulates new cell growth. It increases blood flow, stimulates muscle repair and regeneration, and increases metabolization at the cellular level. When you experience chronic pain, your body no longer recognizes that there is an injury to that area. As a result, it shuts down the healing process and you feel no relief. The sound waves penetrate deep through soft tissue, reaching a microtrauma or inflammatory condition. This reactivates the body’s natural healing response.
The energy emitted also causes the cells in the soft tissue to release certain bio-chemicals that intensify the body’s natural healing process. These bio-chemicals allow for the building of an array of microscopic new blood vessels in the soft tissue. RPW therapy applications include:
Are There Side Effects From RPW Therapy?
There have been very few side effects reported. Patients may feel some soreness in the treated area for a day or two afterward, like a bruise, but that’s normal and is a sign the treatment is working. There may also be some temporary numbness or tingling in the treated area.
What is the Success Rate of RPW Shockwave Therapy?
The majority of patients who use this treatment enjoy positive results. In clinical studies, about 91% of patients reported successful results, including a decrease in chronic pain, increase in mobility, and other health improvements. RPW has a proven success rate that is equal to or greater than that of traditional treatment methods, including surgery, without the risks, complications, or lengthy recovery periods. There are no incisions and no risk of infection, or scar tissue, like there are with surgery.
Is Shockwave and Ultrasound the Same Thing?
Shock waves are single, mainly positive pressure pulses that are followed by comparatively small tensile wave components. Ultrasound applies an alternating high frequency load to the tissue, with a frequency range of several megahertz, which can lead to heating, tissue tears and cavitation at high amplitudes. Although both radial shockwave and ultrasound therapies were found to be effective in patients with plantar fasciitis, the statistical analysis showed that radial shockwave is significantly more effective than ultrasound therapy.
When combined with our Class IV Low Level Laser, many conditions have shown to heal within 6 to 8 treatments.
