Revolutionizing Chiropractic Healing

Revolutionizing Chiropractic Healing Embracing Shockwave Technology in Pain Management

by Matt Diduro, DC

In the shadow of the opioid epidemic, we're tasked with reevaluating our approach to pain management. The good news? Shockwave technology is emerging as a beacon of hope, offering a method that is both effective and congruent with our body's innate healing processes: healing from above-down, inside-out.

Evolving Beyond Traditional Pain Solutions

The familiar avenues of medications, injections, and surgeries, while reliable, have their downsides, including the potential for addiction and unwanted side effects. As we've seen, opioids have become a national crisis. The CDC pinpointing a staggering 75.4% of drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved opioids. While less addictive, injections and surgeries present their risks: potential complications, extended recovery times and overwhelming medical costs. What's more, they often provide only temporary relief without addressing the root causes, merely masking the pain while underlying issues persist. In this setting, shockwave technology enters the arena as a holistic and revolutionary approach.

The Potential of Shockwave Therapy in Practice Originally devised for kidney stones, shockwave therapy has evolved. It's a non-invasive way to jumpstart the body's repair mechanisms that administers waves of energy into the body, initiating a biological process called mechanotransduction. This method not only sparks the body's inherent repair systems — boosting blood flow, speeding up cellular rejuvenation, activating and recruiting resident stem cells and fostering new blood vessel growth — but also aids in modulating inflammation, a frequent pain source.

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Addressing Inflammation Intelligently As chiropractors, we recognize that while inflammation is a natural defensive response, it can become a barrier to healing if it persists. Effective management of inflammation is thus crucial to facilitate the body's recovery and reduce pain sustainably. 

Understanding the Spectrum of Shockwave Technology It's essential to discern between the types of shockwave technologies—electrohydraulic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric. Each has distinct benefits and applications, from broad coverage to focused treatment areas, which can significantly impact clinical outcomes.

Clarifying Misconceptions in Shockwave Therapy True shockwave devices generate a high-pressure pulse, distinguishing them from radial devices that produce lower intensity waves. As we consider integrating these technologies into our practice, it's critical to make informed choices based on accurate information.

Kinds of shockwave technology

1. Electrohydraulic shockwaves: Generated using an electric spark in water. For decades, this was used for conditions like kidney stones but has been effectively reimagined for musculoskeletal issues especially as a manufacturer has modified their devices to treat both with a focused and unfocused or low-intensity wave. When researching ask about the width and depth of coverage as one boasts a coverage area of 7cm x 12cm to ensure the injured cells receive treatment.

2. Electromagnetic shockwaves: Produced by a rapidly changing magnetic field, they have broad applications in pain management. These typically deliver small amounts of energy to a small focal area.

3. Piezoelectric shockwaves: Originating from the piezoelectric effect, these shockwaves are created when voltage is applied to crystals through the expansion and contraction of the crystals.

Beware of confusion 

For a device to produce a true shockwave, it is characterized by a single, mostly positive pressure pulse followed by a comparatively small tensile wave. This is important because radial devices often call themselves shockwave devices. This is misleading. Radial devices produce low intensity pressure waves. They differ from a true shockwave as they are acoustic pneumatic pulses with a low steeping effect and slow rise time with comparatively large negative pressure (tensile wave).

Do your research on true shockwave devices as well. Look for reputable companies involved with research, who are registered and ideally have FDA clearances and approvals. 

Shockwaves are acoustic pulses with hing positive pressure, fast and steep rise time followed by comparatively small negative pressure (tensil wave).

Radial pressure waves are acoustic pneumatic pulses with a low steeping effect, slow rise time with comparatively large negative pressure (tensile wave).

Patented Advancements and Clinical Relevance The recent patent granted for a dual-function shockwave device underscores the dual benefits of managing pain effectively and reducing reliance on opioids. This is a stride forward that aligns with our commitment to patient care and holistic health.

Flexible elastic membrane adapts optimally to the treatment area

Expanding Chiropractic Treatment Horizons Shockwave therapy complements the foundational chiropractic belief in the body's ability to heal from within. Studies, such as those focusing on plantar fasciitis, demonstrate significant pain reduction, supporting the therapy's potential to address chronic conditions effectively. In one study, patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were treated with shockwave. After 12 weeks, they had data on more than 98% of the patients. At the end of the study, the median reduction in pain was 69% in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group and 34.5% in the placebo group. 2