Many people are not aware that roughly 20 years ago a new treatment method made some serious waves in the Orthopedic industry. Some orthopedists prefer to rely on familiar, albeit outdated, methodology which are usually very expensive and, at times, very painful. Acoustic Wave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Wave Therapy has been adopted as a preferred method of treatment for orthopedic ailments such as Plantar Fasciitis, Tennis Elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and more. The therapy is provided in short sessions, usually 20-30 minutes at a time, 2 to 3 days per week and results are typically felt immediately. Flagstone Medical wants to get you back to doing what you love, we believe this is the most effective and efficient way to help our patients do just that.
Over the counter anti-inflmmatories like Naproxen and Ibuprofen are commonly used to temporarily dull your foot pain. Those who suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis need a more substantial treatment. Even more drastic measures like injections into the sole of the foot are also commonly used. These injections are painful and only offer short-term relief.
Thankfully, there is a relatively new treatment method that is both inexpensive and painless! Linear & Acoustic wave therapies (also called shock wave therapy) uses low-intensity energy waves to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and rejuvenate damaged tissue. This is called neovascularization. This helps improve blood flow to specific areas and reduce inflammation. We pass the device over the heel and other inflamed areas of the foot while the acoustic waves gently massage away the pain. There is no better method of alleviating the inflammation you are experiencing.
Tennis Elbow or “epicondylitis” is very common. Roughly 10% of the population will experience this condition. It’s symptoms include swelling, inflammation, and a range of pain from minimal to debilitating. Treatment for Tennis Elbow has, for many years, been to simply rest the affected arm. For less severe cases this may do the trick. More severe cases may require painful steroid injections or pain killers and both require repetition. Focused Shockwave Technology, also known as “Linear Wave Therapy” is used for deeper tissue injuries like Tennis Elbow and other tendonitis conditions. The therapy works by promoting blood flow to the affected area and prompting the body’s natural healing response. Relief is rather immediate, 70% of the time the condition is cured by the 5th treatment.
The Achilles Tendon can become stiff, tender, and downright painful when overworked. Repetitive strain on the Achilles from extended periods of running or walking long distances can exacerbate the inflammation making the simple act of walking difficult and painful. Other causes of Achilles pain range from just overstrain to tendonitis.
Similar to Tennis Elbow, the injury is in the deeper tissues of body so a Focused Shockwave is deployed to alleviate the pain.
Carpal tunnel can really put a damper on your day. The pain and loss of strength in your hands can make it difficult to do even the simplest tasks like typing and carrying things. The main cause of your symptoms is the pressure around the median nerve which controls the movement and feeling in your fingers.
Acoustic & Linear wave therapy helps reduce that pressure giving you the ability to go about your day without discomfort. Talk to our orthopedic specialists today and see if pulse wave therapies are right for you.
Gout is a common form of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain & swelling of your joints, most often in the big toe. This pain is often crippling leaving you limping or off your feet altogether until the flare-up has passed. This could be anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. In most cases, as symptoms go untreated, they become more frequent and more painful with more areas of your body affected. Untreated symptoms can also lead to joint damage.
Flagstone’s Acoustic Wave therapy can help alleviate your gout pain relatively quickly and reduce the reoccurrence of your flare-ups. Let us help you find out if AWT is the right treatment for your gout by requesting a consultation below.
