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What is the Shockwave Hype?

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What is the Shockwave Hype? If you have had joint pain, your phone has probably picked this up and you’ve seen advertisements for shockwave therapy. What is this therapy, and how is it different than what’s already around?

Shockwave therapy uses mechanical pulses to promote healing and circulation throughout a soft tissue. How is this different than ultrasound? Truthfully, it’s not. Ultrasound is also a mechanical wave; but it’s at a higher frequency, which cannot be heard by humans.

The question we need to ask is which frequency is better? Inflammation causes water accumulation in a given space. Water has a unique property that happens as it is introduced to a frequency of 1,000,000 Hz….which is that it vaporizes. Shockwave therapy does not approach this level.

Even though shockwave is not high frequency, it is strong. It does penetrate a little more than ultrasound. However, most soft tissue is reached by ultrasound. Also, the shockwave power is diminished as it goes deeper into tissue.

So, which is better for soft tissue therapy? Both have their advantages in treatment. However, there is one big consideration, and that is the cost. Unfortunately, existing technologies are modified every few years and marketed as something totally different in nature….and at a higher cost.

A great example is lumbar traction. It’s been around for decades. Around the year 2000 these devices were no longer controlled by relays and big motors. They were run by microchips and stepper motors. The therapy was virtually the same, just more refined. Someone got the idea to brand the new version under the name “Decompression” and began selling packaged treatments for thousands of dollars.

The same is true for Shockwave. It works. However, adding a blue LED and changing the frequency of the treatment head does not mean a $2,000 shockwave treatment package is necessary. The reality- the same number of ultrasound treatments can cost $200 and is covered by insurance.

We have performed affordable therapeutic ultrasound on thousands of people, over many decades. If you are looking into shockwave or ultrasound therapy, please give us a call! We would love to help! 316-729-2528

Ian Dopps
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