Three quarters of the people of the planet with age notice various disorders in the functionality of the musculoskeletal system. Fundamental treatments such as surgery or long-term injectable courses of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) help, but the result does not always last as long as expected. Patients who have almost lost the ability to move around without pain get onto the surgical table, but the situation can be corrected much earlier than such deplorable consequences.
The method of shock wave therapy (reviews, indications and contraindications to it are presented below) is intended to have a stimulating effect on the regenerative process of bone and muscle tissues. Impulses are sent directly to the area in need of treatment and do not affect intact nearby areas.
What is shock wave therapy?
In the process of exposure of the patient to the problem area, the skin of the patient is not damaged, therefore UVT (shock-wave therapy) is referred to a number of non-invasive methods of treatment, which have their own indications and contraindications. Reviews of effective shock wave therapy for the most part call the method as slightly painful, but help from the first session. Usually, one five-seven-day course is enough to achieve the full effect, but it is recommended to consolidate the result after six months or a year.
The action of the UVT device is due to the formation of short, clearly directed vibrational pulses that change the structural composition of damaged cells. Increased blood circulation almost immediately removes the destroyed particles of inflamed cells and contributes to their rapid resorption by microphages. Entire, healthy tissues do not respond to pulsation of the shock wave, since the elastic structure of intact cells freely transmits momentum.
The use of UVT
The primary purpose of the method was to provide emergency assistance to athletes suffering from severe injuries or occupational diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Indications for shock wave therapy (according to reviews, there are not so many contraindications to it) included muscle overstrain, severe sprains, injuries, and cardiological disorders.
Now the range of use of UVT has expanded significantly. The device is used not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for preventive purposes. After the course exposure of the device to healthy tissues, resistance to stretching, hematoma formation is formed, regeneration processes in the epidermis, muscle and bone structure are faster.
Judging by the medical reviews of shock wave therapy, indications and contraindications of an effective procedure are taken into account when choosing the pulse power, so the list of diseases or factors that do not allow the use of shock wave therapy is quite variable. For example, despite the restriction on children's age, adolescents are sometimes given procedures if the risk of developing a dangerous disease is higher than the possible harm from directional wave exposure.
When is UVT indicated?
Due to the versatility of the shock wave therapy procedure, the indications (for contraindications and reviews you can find below) include even cosmetology goals. UVT successfully fights cellulite at any stage, promotes resorption of scars, burn marks.
A complete list of diseases that can be successfully cured using the directed method:
- disorders in the spinal column: kyphosis, scoliosis, interdiscal hernia, protrusion, osteochondrosis, spondylarthrosis, lordosis;
- joint diseases: coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis, calcaneal spur, epicondylitis, shoulder-shoulder periarthritis, arthrosis and pseudoarthrosis, tendon and ligament diseases of various etiologies;
- urological problems - prostatitis;
- in neurology, recovery from strokes;
- cardiological disorders: angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia;
- orthopedics - flat feet, bringing feet.
The UVT device is also effective in slow recovery after fractures, for relieving pain after prosthetics, for treating trophic ulcers and chronic obesity.
What cases of UVT are contraindicated
Regarding indications for shock wave therapy, contraindications (reviews will be further) are recommendatory in nature. Categorically, the use of UVT is not allowed in only a few cases:
- diagnosed oncology;
- poor blood coagulability;
- a history of vein thrombosis;
- arthrosis in extreme degree with severe deformation;
- acute infectious diseases.
UHT is not used during periods of increased blood pressure, with a pacemaker installed. Bearing in mind the risk of rupture of the thin vessels, directed exposure is avoided in the intestinal area and along the line of passage of the thin arteries.
Children under 14 years of age and pregnancy (lactation) are considered conditional contraindications.
Preparation for UVT
In the period of diagnosing the disease, it is already possible to derive predictions regarding the body's response to standard treatment. If these forecasts look disappointing or there is a risk of relapse of the disease (as with arthritis of the 1-2 stage), the doctor should offer the patient UVT. The specialist cannot prescribe therapy as mandatory, since this treatment does not fall into the list of free procedures, and the cost of one session varies from 1200 to 1800 rubles.
With the patient's consent to UVT, an additional examination of the alleged site of exposure is performed, including a physical examination, ultrasound and x-ray.
How is the UVT procedure
Having previously removed the items of clothing covering the exposure zone, the patient lays on the couch. The doctor applies a special gel to the skin and adjusts the UVT device relative to the given situation. Then the tip of the device with the sensor is applied to the gel-treated skin surface, and the device starts to work. During one session, the UVT produces up to 2500 pulses penetrating to a depth of 3-4 cm with a wave frequency of 5 to 15 Hz. Exposure lasts about 15 minutes. Patients who underwent the procedure, taking into account all the indications and contraindications, describe shock wave therapy in the reviews as jerky, slightly painful sensations.
After the procedure, some patients find hematomas, but with moderate skin sensitivity, only redness remains, which quickly passes. The next session is scheduled no earlier than three days later and no later than a week later.
Consequences of the UVT procedure
After the first session, most patients note a smoothing of the pain syndrome, but the effect lasts only during the current day. With each subsequent session, the time of freedom from discomfort increases until the tension passes completely. Reviews of shock wave therapy (read indications and contraindications to it) give the following indicators of improvement:
- elimination of puffiness, pain relief;
- increased mobility in the joints affected;
- reduction of the recovery period after complex fractures;
- removal of inflammation;
- increased blood flow and lymph flow;
- salt deposits, bone growths are broken;
- muscle relaxation occurs;
- strengthening regeneration processes.
If all the conditions are met, the indications and contraindications are observed, shock wave therapy, according to doctors and patients, does not cause complications.
Opinions of doctors and patients about UVT
UVT in most cases completely replaces a full-fledged comprehensive treatment aimed at relieving inflammation, pain and activating recovery processes, of course, given the possible contraindications. Indications for shock wave therapy and reviews, judging by which people positively distinguish the method from others, indicate a great trust of doctors in this method of treatment.
There are many examples where the full course of UVT, conducted without disrupting the scheme, did not allow the situation before surgery. For many, the great advantage of UVT is the reduction in taking strong medications that adversely affect overall health.
Of course, not in all cases of illness, indications and contraindications for shock wave therapy (and reviews confirm this) allow you to carry out as many procedures as are required for a complete cure. But even the help that was provided renders the life of patients much easier.