Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ECSWT)

Take physical therapy to the next level!

What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ECSWT)?

ECSWT, also known as Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy (LiSWT), has been used successfully in Europe for over a decade for a variety of conditions, including heart disease, kidney stones and orthopedic conditions. ECSWT is a non-invasive treatment that involves delivery of shock waves to injured soft tissue to reduce pain, release growth factors, and promote healing.

What does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy treat?

ECSWT may help a variety of conditions, including treatment for soft tissue damage and chronic or acute pain within joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It has also been shown to be very effective in the treatment and breakup of scar tissue, which may increase range of motion to levels not experienced since prior to injury.

How does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy work?

The technology works by accelerating a projectile in the handpiece which generates a mechanical pressure wave. This wave is transferred to the human body by an applicator head and which radiates out in the tissue. The mechanical energy is absorbed by the tissue and decreases as the distance from the application site increases. The mechanical stress causes cavitation resulting in reactions in the tissue, breaking up adhesions, releasing growth factors, and promoting quicker healing.

What are the benefits of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

The benefits of the therapy’s mechanical stimulation include increased local blood flow, cellular activity such as the release of substance P, prostaglandin E2, NO, TGF β, VEGF, and almost certainly other inflammatory cytokines, the breakdown of calcific deposits and adhesions, and finally relaxation of connective tissue.

Learn more from this policy paper published by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment for Musculoskeletal Conditions and Wound Healing

How many treatments are required?

After meeting with one of our Patient Advisors to determine whether ECSWT is right for you, our ECSWT Certified Specialist will develop your personalized treatment plan, because at the DRC we understand that every patient has their own unique biology, history, and condition to treat.

As a general rule of thumb, acute issues will typically require 1 to 3 treatments over five to seven days, while chronic issues will typically require 4 to 8 treatments over three to five days.

How Do I Learn More:

Complete our patient inquiry form to activate an appointment with one of our Patient Advisors at Dallas Regenerative Center or call (469) 917-9166