The technology behind the magic
At Leading Edge Physiotherapy we offer the Swiss DolorClast® Master, a state-of-the-art technology that delivers a pneumatically generated high pressure sound wave that travels through the skin and into inflamed tissues and bone. The utilization of this technology gives us an edge in solving some of the most stubborn chronic conditions that a person can face.
What is a radial shockwave?
Radial shockwave is an acoustic pulse that is pneumatically generated. It causes the body to respond with increased metabolic activity around the site of pain. This increases the circulation and begins the healing process. The waves locally alter the chemical environment, stimulate the reabsorption of irritating calcium deposits and induce an analgesic effect. It takes 3 treatments completed one week apart with follow up appointments 4-12 weeks after the completion of those treatments.
Ultimately the shockwaves start the healing process over again.
Is this new?
RWST has been around since the mid 1980s in Europe, but it only arrived in Canada in the late 2000s, likely due to the exorbitant costs of the technology. Shockwaves were developed in a medical environment originally to treat kidney stones and this continues today under the name lithotripsy. At Leading Edge Physiotherapy we invested in our state-of-the-art Swiss Dolorclast technology in 2008 because we knew the benefits to our clients outweighed our cost. One of our certified therapists has been using the technology for more than 20 years. Our technology continues to be some of the most researched in the industry.
WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendinitis
Shin Splints
IT Band Friction Syndrome
(Hip) Trochanteric Bursitis
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Pseudoarthrosis
Pain caused by trigger points
Knee Osteoarthritis
Is it covered by insurance?
As your injury will be assessed by a registered physical therapist and as the Radial Shockwave is performed by a physical therapist at our facility, the procedure is considered physical therapy and should therefore be covered by third party physical therapy insurance coverage.
How does it work?
A radial shockwave is a low to medium energy shockwave that is pneumatically generated through the acceleration of a projectile within the hand-piece of our Swiss Dolorclast device. When the projectile strikes the applicator a shockwave is generated. This shockwave enters the tissue, spreading radially, and is transmitted through a water soluble gel on the skin’s surface. Unlike extracorporeal shockwaves, radial shockwaves have their focal point at the tip of the applicator and are transmitted to the target zone in a broad energy pattern. This allows us to apply a considerable total level of energy using multiple pulses from the applicator without the need for anesthesia or ultrasound/radiography to pinpoint the location of the diseased tissue/calcification.
The exact mechanism of shockwave therapy remains unknown. Based on results from studies performed by Dr. Ching-Jen Wang, it appears that the radial shockwaves’ physical energy causes a biological response with increased metabolic activity around the site of the tissue damage and pain. In contrast to lithotripsy in which the shockwaves disintegrate the renal stones, radial shockwaves do not destroy tissue, rather they microscopically cause interstitial and extracellular responses which induce a healing effect.
Specifically, the shockwaves were shown to stimulate the early expression of angiogenesis related growth factors including eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), VEGF (vessel endothelial growth factor) and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), which then induces the ingrowth of neovascularization. This improves blood supply and increases cell proliferation and eventual tissue regeneration to repair the tendon or bone tissues.
The treatment also induces an analgesic effect. This mechanism is theorized to occur as a result of an initial rise in concentration of substance P in the zone of the shockwave with a subsequent prolonged reduction in its total concentration. This may explain the initial pain response followed by prolonged analgesia.