Reviews: shock wave therapy. Indications and contraindications. When is the most effective?

Three quarters of the planet's people notice various violations in the function of the musculoskeletal system with age. Cardinal treatments such as surgery or long-term NSAID injection courses (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) help, but the result does not always last as long as expected. On the surgical table, patients who practically lost the opportunity to move without pain, but the situation can be remedied much earlier than there are so deplorable consequences.

The method of shock wave therapy (reviews, indications and contraindications to it are presented below) is intended to have a stimulating effect on the regeneration process of bone and muscle tissues. Impulses are sent directly to the zone in need of treatment, and do not affect undamaged nearby areas.

What is shock wave therapy

In the process of the device's exposure to the problem area, the patient's skin is not damaged, so UHT (shock wave therapy) is considered a number of non-invasive methods of treatment that have their indications and contraindications. Feedback on effective shock wave therapy is generally called the method as slightly painful, but it helps already from the first session. Usually, one-five-seven-day course is sufficient to achieve the full effect, but it is recommended to fix the result in six months or a year.

The effect of the UHT device is due to the formation of short, clearly directed vibrational pulses that alter the structural composition of damaged cells. Increased blood circulation almost immediately removes the destroyed particles of inflamed cells and promotes their rapid resolution by microphages. Whole, healthy tissues do not respond to pulsation of the shock wave, since the elastic structure of intact cells freely passes the pulse.

The use of UVT

The primary purpose of the method was to provide emergency assistance to athletes suffering from severe injuries or occupational diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Indications for shock wave therapy (according to reviews, there are not so many contraindications to it) included muscular overstrain, severe distension, trauma, cardiac disturbances.

Now the spectrum of use of UVT has significantly expanded. The device is used not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for preventive purposes. After the course of exposure to healthy tissues, the device develops resistance to stretching, formation of hematomas, regeneration processes in the epidermis, muscular and bone structure occur more rapidly.

Judging by medical reviews of shock wave therapy, indications and contra-indications of an effective procedure are taken into account when choosing pulse power, so a list of diseases or factors that do not allow the use of UHT is quite variable. For example, despite the restriction on childhood, adolescents sometimes carry out procedures if the risk of developing a dangerous disease is higher than the possible harm from directional-wave action.

In what cases is UHT indicated

Due to the versatility of the procedure of shock wave therapy, indications (with contraindications and reviews you can find out more) include even cosmetic purposes. UVT successfully fights against cellulite at any stage, promotes resorption of scars, traces of burns.

A complete list of diseases successfully cured using a directional method:

• Disorders in the spinal column: kyphosis, scoliosis, interdisk hernia, protrusions, osteochondrosis, spondylarthrosis, lordosis;
• Articular diseases: coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, heel spur, epicondylitis, humeroscapular periarthritis, arthrosis and pseudoarthrosis, diseases of tendons and ligaments of various etiologies;
• Urological problems - prostatitis;
• In neurology - recovery after strokes;
• Cardiological disorders: stenocardia, myocardial ischemia;
• Orthopedics - flat feet, bringing feet.

The UHT device is also effective for slow recovery after fractures, for pain relief after prosthetics, for the treatment of trophic ulcers and chronic obesity.

To what cases is UTT contraindicated

Concerning indications for shock wave therapy, contraindications (the reviews will be further) are of a recommendatory nature. Categorically, the use of UVT is not permitted in only a few cases:

• Diagnosed oncology;
• Poor blood clotting;
• Vein thrombosis in the anamnesis;
• Arthrosis to an extreme degree with severe deformation;
• Infectious diseases of acute course.

Do not use UHT during periods of increased blood pressure, with a pacemaker installed. Bearing in mind the risk of rupture of the thin vessels, directional effects are avoided to be carried out in the intestinal area and along the line of passage of the thin arteries.

Children under 14 years of age and pregnancy (lactation) are considered contingent contraindications.

Preparing for an OHT

During the diagnosis of the disease, it is already possible to deduce the expected predictions regarding the body's response to standard treatment. If these predictions look disappointing or there is a risk of recurrence of the disease (as in the case of arthritis of stage 1-2), the physician should offer the patient with UHT. To appoint therapy as a compulsory specialist can not, since this treatment does not fall into the list of free procedures, and the cost of one session varies from 1200 to 1800 rubles.

If the patient agrees to the UHT, an additional examination of the intended site of exposure is performed, including physical examination, ultrasound and X-ray.

How is the UVT procedure performed

Preliminarily removing the garments that cover the area of exposure, the patient lies on the couch. The doctor applies a special gel to the skin areas and adjusts the UHT apparatus with respect to the given situation. Then the tip of the device with the sensor is applied to the gel-treated skin surface, and the device starts to work. During one session UVT produces up to 2500 pulses penetrating to a depth of 3-4 cm with a wave frequency of 5 to 15 Hz. The effect lasts about 15 minutes. Patients who have undergone the procedure taking into account all indications and contraindications, the description of shock wave therapy in the reviews result as jerky, painless sensations.

After the procedure, some patients show hematomas, but with average skin sensitivity, only redness remains, which quickly passes. The next session is appointed no earlier than three days and not later than a week.

Consequences of the UHT procedure

Even after the first session, most patients note a smoothing of the pain syndrome, but the effect is kept only during the current day. With each subsequent session, the time of freedom from discomfort increases until the tension passes completely. Reviews of shock wave therapy (indications and contraindications to it read above) give the following indicators of improvements:

• Elimination of puffiness, pain relief;
• Increased mobility in joints affected;
• Reduction of the recovery period after complex fractures;
• Removal of inflammation;
• Increased blood flow and lymph flow;
• Salt deposits, bone growths;
• There is a relaxation of muscles;
• Intensification of regeneration processes.

With all the conditions, observance of indications and contraindications, shock wave therapy, according to the doctors and patients, does not bear complications.

Opinions of doctors and patients about UHT

UVT in most cases completely replaces a full-fledged complex treatment aimed at relieving inflammation, pain and activation of recovery processes, of course, given possible contraindications. Indications for shock wave therapy and feedback, judging by which people positively distinguish the method from the others, indicate a great deal of doctors' confidence in this method of treatment.

There are many examples when a full course of UHT, conducted without a violation of the scheme, did not allow the situation before the surgery. For many, the great advantage of UHT is the reduction in the intake of strong medication, which adversely affects overall health.

Of course, not in all cases of disease, indications and contra-indications to shock wave therapy (and reviews confirm this) allow as many procedures as necessary for complete cure. But already that help, which was rendered, greatly facilitates the life of patients.