Shockwave therapy? 

The Shock wave therapy  or shock wave treatment is a method that is intended to relieve the symptoms of various diseases such as calcified shoulder, heel pain or kidney stones. Doctors also call the treatment extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) because it is applied outside the body.

Patients often ask themselves how shock wave therapy works. Experts differentiate between focused and radial shock wave therapy. With focused shock wave therapy, the doctor/therapist directs a device, the so-called sound probe, to the part of the body to be treated. The device now generates the shock waves. These are mechanical impulses that create high pressure. The shock waves hit the body in a concentrated manner and penetrate the skin, muscle and fat layers. Only when they encounter hard resistance, such as a kidney stone or a calcification in the shoulder, do they release their energy. If shock wave therapy is successful, the shock waves destroy the stones and calcifications and thus alleviate the symptoms.

​

​

​

​

Orthopedics: Shock wave therapy can help in these cases:

​

Shock wave therapy is primarily used for heel pain on the foot. 

Shock wave therapy can remove calcium deposits in some patients. It is therefore used, for example, in patients with a calcified shoulder. When the disease occurs, calcium builds up on the tendon attachments of the shoulder. 

Shock wave therapy can also be used if the tendons are irritated - for example with tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. In these clinical pictures, the tendons on the outside or inside of the elbow are strained by one-sided movements such as playing tennis and golf, or doing crafts or computer work. 

Shock wave therapy on the knee and hip is also available for Osteoarthritis is conceivable and on the back for muscle stiffness.

​

​

However, there are some criteria that generally exclude the use of shock wave therapy. These include, for example:

• pregnancy

• Blood clotting disorders

• Pacemaker

• Tumors and acute skin inflammations that lie within the radius of the shock waves

Shock waves should also not be directed at the lungs, intestines, brain, spinal cord, nerves and large blood vessels.