Shock Wave Therapy, the innovation relieving chronic pain and inflammation
Chronic pain is a problem affecting the quality of life and the effectiveness at work of many people, particularly those who have to sit and work for long periods. At present there is an innovation in treatment effective in relieving chronic pain that has become widely popular: treatment with shockwave, or Shock Wave Therapy, a technology that helps those with pain return to living happily again, from a team of specialist physicians.
What is shockwave (Shock Wave Therapy)?
The shockwave device, or Shock Wave device, is a medical innovation using high-speed sound waves in treating chronic pain. Shockwave is a treatment accepted in medical circles as effective in reducing pain and restoring degenerated tissue, the device having been certified as safe by the FDA of the United States.
The principle by which shockwave works
The Shock Wave device relies on the principle of the shockwave arising from compressed air. These waves travel at high speed through the skin into the tissue with the problem. In treatment, the doctor places the head of the device on the skin and sends shockwaves into the area with pain, without needing a needle or surgery, which makes it a method of treatment that does not invade the body too much.
The mechanism by which the pain is relieved
When the shockwave enters the tissue, it stimulates a slight injury in that area (Re-injury), which makes the body begin its process of repairing itself (Re-healing), so that the blood circulates better, the inflammation is reduced, and the release of the body's natural pain-reducing substances is stimulated, with the result that the patient feels the pain reduced after the treatment.
The kinds of treatment with shockwave
Shock Wave Therapy technology has developed and is divided into 2 main kinds according to the way the energy is delivered, each kind having its own advantages and suiting different symptoms.
Radial Shock Wave
Radial Shock Wave Therapy is a technique in which the wave spreads out radially, so that the energy disperses and decreases with the depth of the tissue. It suits pain that is not very deep and is spread over a wide area.
Focused Shock Wave
Focused Shock Wave Therapy is a technique sending the wave of energy specifically to a target point, developed further from Radial Shock Wave, so that it can reach tissue lying deep better. It suits symptoms arising from a problem at a particular point, such as chronic tendon inflammation, plantar fasciitis, or calcium deposits on a tendon, which need energy focused on striking a specific point. At present there is a technology called Focused Shock Wave 3D Dynamic Focusing, which can fix the specific position in detail to the millimetre as well.
The benefits of treatment with shockwave
Is Shock Wave good? This is a question those with chronic pain usually wonder about. From the studies and the results of treatment so far, it is found that treatment with shockwave has several benefits for those with chronic pain.
The effect on the muscles and the tissue
Shockwave can reach tissue as deep as 4-6 centimetres without harming the skin, helping to dissolve calcium deposits in a tendon, reduce inflammation, stimulate repair, and stimulate the circulation of blood, with the result that the patient feels relaxed and in less pain immediately after the treatment.
Stimulating natural repair
Another advantage of Shock Wave is the stimulation of the body to repair itself naturally, helping to stimulate the formation of collagen, of new blood vessels, and the recovery of degenerated cells, which makes the treatment more lasting than the use of painkillers alone.
What symptoms can Shock Wave Therapy treat?
From its capacity to reach deep tissue and stimulate repair, Shock Wave can be brought to the treatment of a wide range of chronic pain, particularly symptoms involving the muscular system and the tendons. The treatment suits those aged over 18 years who are not pregnant, have no problem of abnormal blood clotting, and have no pacemaker fitted.
Tendon inflammation
Tendon inflammation is often found in those who do repeated work, such as inflammation of the tendon at the elbow (Tennis Elbow), inflammation of the tendon at the shoulder, or inflammation of the tendon of the sole (plantar fasciitis). Shock Wave Therapy helps reduce the inflammation and stimulate the repair of the damaged tendon, so that the pain is relieved without surgery.
Chronic muscle pain
Those with chronic muscle pain from using the body in the wrong posture or from accumulated stress will find that the muscle is tight and tender spots (Trigger Points) arise. Treatment with Shock Wave helps release the contracted muscle and reduce the pain effectively.
Office Syndrome
Office workers who have to sit in front of a computer for long periods usually meet the problem of office syndrome (Myofascial Pain Syndrome), with pain in the neck, the upper back, the shoulder, the back, and the wrist. Shock Wave Therapy can help relieve these pains by reducing the tightness of the muscle and increasing the circulation of blood, so that they feel relaxed and can return to working effectively.
Particular problems often found among working people
Besides this, Shock Wave Therapy also helps relieve particular problems often found among working people, such as trigger finger, fascia compressing the nerve at the wrist (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), or frozen shoulder, all of which are conditions affecting work and quality of life.
Who suits and who does not suit treatment with Shock Wave Therapy
Treatment with Shock Wave Therapy suits those with chronic pain that does not respond to treatment by ordinary methods, particularly office employees with Office Syndrome, athletes with injury of a tendon, or older adults with a problem of joint degeneration.
However, not everyone suits this method of treatment. Those who should not receive treatment with Shock Wave include children aged under 18 years, pregnant women, patients with cancer, those with abnormal blood clotting, those with a pacemaker fitted, and those who have had a steroid injection within 6 weeks. Besides this, the treatment should not be done on an area with an infection, an open wound, or a tumour.
Preparing for and the process of treatment with Shock Wave Therapy
Before receiving treatment with Shock Wave Therapy you should rest enough. There is no need to fast, and you should tell the doctor your treatment history and the medicines you take regularly. Wearing comfortable clothing helps the doctor reach the area to be treated conveniently.
The process of treatment begins with assessment by a specialist physician. The doctor then places the head of the Shock Wave device on the skin over the area with the problem and sends shockwaves into the tissue, each time taking about 5-15 minutes per point, depending on the size of the area being treated. During the treatment the patient may feel slight pain or discomfort, which is considered normal, and the doctor will adjust the intensity of the wave to suit the patient's tolerance.
Caring for yourself and the result after having Shockwave
After receiving treatment with Shock Wave Therapy there may be slight soreness in the area treated, which can be relieved with a cold compress for about 15-20 minutes and gentle stretching of the muscle. You should avoid massaging the area treated and rest it from heavy use for about 1-2 days.
The result of the treatment differs from one individual to another. Those whose symptoms are not great may feel better immediately after the first treatment, while those whose symptoms are severe may have to receive treatment several times before a clear result is seen. In general it is advised to have the treatment 3-5 times, 1-2 weeks apart, so that the body can repair itself fully.
The side effects that may be met after the treatment include soreness, slight swelling or redness, and in some cases a small spot of bleeding or slight bruising, which is considered normal and usually goes away by itself within 5-10 days. If there are abnormal symptoms lasting longer than this, or abnormally severe, you should consult the doctor.
What is the price of the Focused Shock Wave Therapy programme at PYONG?
At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have a programme of treatment with Focused Shock Wave Therapy designed particularly for each individual, beginning with assessment of the symptoms by a specialist physician in rehabilitation medicine.
The price of the treatment is only 3,200 baht per session, 1 course having 5 sessions, which suits those with chronic pain who need continuous treatment for the best result. Each treatment is about 1-2 weeks apart, so that the body can repair itself fully.
Besides this, the clinic also offers examination with high-frequency sound waves (Ultrasound Diagnosis) to assess the condition of the tissue before treatment, so that the treatment is as precise as possible and suits the patient's symptoms as closely as possible.
Summary
Shock Wave Therapy, or treatment with shockwave, is a medical innovation effective in relieving chronic pain, particularly among office workers who usually meet the problem of Office Syndrome and injury from repeated use.
Having Shock Wave is the stimulation of the body's natural process of repair, without needing medication or surgery, which makes it a choice that is safe and effective in the long term. At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have a team of specialist physicians in rehabilitation medicine ready to advise and care for patients closely, so that you return to living with quality, free of the chronic pain that disturbs daily life.
📞 Enquiries and appointments: (+66) 88 589 0896