Role of Sound Waves = Pressure Waves = Acoustic Waves = “Shock Waves” in Healing and Pain Relief

The reason I gave this title to this health letter is because this past weekend I was in Chicago at the Institute for Tissue Regeneration and Repair workshop put on by Curamedix who distributes the radial pressure wave and focused shock wave devices (EPAT/ESWT) which I have been using in the clinical for more than two years along with their newer EMTT device (Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy) which I have been using in the clinic for more than 6 months for almost every kind of pain syndrome. These devices promote healing and tissue regeneration literally from “head to toe.”

These devices not only reduce pain but non-invasively promote healing in virtually any part of the body that has pain or that needs to heal (including wounds and bones). This is called “Regenerative Medicine” when you use techniques or compounds that stimulate the body’s own mechanisms to promote healing. I was with practicing physicians from all over the country (actually the world – Germany and the United Kingdom) including an orthopedic surgeon ( Instructor, Ludger Gerdesmeyer, MD, PhD, FIPP ), an anesthesiologist, many podiatrists, chiropractors and a brilliant physiotherapist from the United Kingdom who was one of the keynote speakers ( Paul Hobrough ).

One of the hardest things is to explain what radial and focused shock wave therapies produce to promote healing. You can call them pressure waves, sound waves, acoustic waves or “shock waves” (but there is no electrical shock created by these two devices). The radial shock wave device creates a mechanical pressure by compressed air pushing a “pellet” up and down a tube that moves a tip up and down hitting your skin creating a “pressure wave” that goes out in a circular fashion but doesn’t go deep into the tissue. In the focused shockwave device a magnetic coil creates a pressure or acoustic wave that goes through your body tissues with it’s maximum energy deep in the tissue and hence starts the wave process deeper (i.e. focused shock wave therapy). The radial device works better in conditions closer to the surface while the focus device works on injuries and pain deeper in the tissues.

Electromagnetic transduction therapy (EMTT) is a promising new technology of treatment based on PEMF (pulse electromagnetic fields) with magnetic field strength between 80 and 150 mT and oscillating frequencies of 120 Hz with each impulse. EMTT acts via electromagnetic transduction. This treatment is also classified as soft tissue engineering therapy. Impulses are emitted by a high-speed generator to build up a voltage up to 30 kV which is released in nanoseconds at an impulse release frequency of 3 Hz. The very short duration of each impulse ensures full electrophysical reaction without any temperature increase in the tissue.

Achilles Tendinitis
Ankle Sprains
Avascular Necrosis (hip)
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
Bicep Tendinitis
Bursitis Hip
Calcium Deposits
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Erectile Dysfunction (10-20) weekly or twice weekly treatments, $200/session)
Fracture Healing
Greater Trochanteric Syndrome (hip pain)
Hamstring injuries
Low Back Pain
Lymphedema (8-12 weekly)
Muscle Strains
Overactive Bladder
Neck Pain (stiff neck)
Neuroma’s (feet)
Neuropathies (feet)
Nocturia (nighttime urination)
Patellar Tendinitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Rotator Cuff Partial Tears
Shin Splints
Shoulder Pain
Tennis Elbow (outside)
Trapezius Pain
Urinary frequency
Wound Healing
…and More

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