Relief from shock waves through Sonorex treatment
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is an innovative, non-invasive method for treating localized musculoskeletal pain, such as tendinitis and heel spurs. Sonorex shock wave treatment is an extremely safe method of pain control and is believed to be used before advising the patient on medication or steroid injections.
Sonorex History
In the early 1990s, German researchers investigated the use of shock waves to treat painful musculoskeletal disorders. Modified kidney stone lithotriptors were used to treat these disorders to begin with, but proved cumbersome because the devices were not designed to treat multiple areas of the body. In addition, it also generated high-energy shock waves that caused intense pain that required regional or general anesthesia. Having determined that lower energy shock wave treatment was more effective, he first treated chronic pain associated with tendonitis of the shoulder, knee, elbow and foot. This gave rise to Sonocur, a low-energy shock wave machine from Siemens Medical Systems.
Treatment of tendinopathies through Sonorex Sonocur
Sonorex Sonocur® Basic has been successful in treating the following disorders with several clinics recording a 70-90% success rate among patients.
* tendonitis of the knee known as patellar tendonitis
* foot tendonitis known as Achilles tendonitis
* shoulder tendonitis
* heel spur called plantar fasciitis
* golfer’s or tennis elbow also known as lateral or medial epicondylitis
Treatment generally involves three weekly shock wave sessions and each session usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes during which the shock wave is focused on the affected area. It is important to complete the entire recommended course of treatment. Some patients may notice reddening of the skin in the treatment area, while others will have bleeding spots on the skin, which will resolve in due time after the final treatment.
Sonocur treatment procedure
* You can eat and drink normally before undergoing treatment.
* It is essential that you tell the treating technician the exact place where you are experiencing the most pain.
* Next, the technician will apply a gel on the skin of the affected area to transmit the shock wave.
* After applying the gel, the technician will place the sonocur treatment head on that sensitive spot and adjust the penetration depth of the shock wave.
* Initially, the shockwave application will be at a lower level. It is important that you do not move the part of the body that is being treated.
* Since the energy levels and depth of penetration are based on the treatment site and the thickness of the tissues overlying the tendons, the technician will determine the optimal energy level required for the treatment.
* You will feel a slight tingling sensation during the treatment. Notify the technician if this becomes uncomfortable so that the energy levels can be properly adjusted.
* Slight discomfort after treatment for a short time is natural.
Effects of shock waves in chronic pain
The action of shock waves in chronic pain remains a mystery to date, but experts have come up with the following explanations:
Hyperstimulation analgesia: Low-energy shock waves provide adequate stimulation to nerves through a complex pathway that in turn hinders the transmission of pain sensation.
Shockwave-induced neovascularization: Shockwaves promote an increase in blood supply to the affected region, resulting in a reduction in inflammation and pain.
Chemical alteration – low energy shock waves alter or stimulate the formation of chemical compounds in the affected areas thus relieving pain.
Sonorex treatment is not a “miracle cure” or a substitute for other conventional treatment methods. It works best in conjunction with other normal treatments.