{"id":34771,"date":"2022-09-29T08:45:06","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T06:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itechmedicaldivision.com\/?p=34771"},"modified":"2022-09-29T09:24:18","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T07:24:18","slug":"difference-between-ultrasound-therapy-and-shock-waves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itechmedicaldivision.com\/en\/difference-between-ultrasound-therapy-and-shock-waves\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference between ultrasound therapy and shock waves"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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  1. What are shock waves?<\/a><\/li>
  2. Focused and radial shock waves<\/a><\/li>
  3. What is ultrasound therapy?<\/a><\/li>
  4. Difference between shock waves and ultrasound therapy<\/a><\/li>
  5. Who cannot undergo shock wave therapy?<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    1. What are ultrasounds for?<\/a><\/li>
    2. The benefits of shock waves<\/a><\/li>
    3. The benefits of ultrasound<\/a><\/li>
    4. How to choose the right device<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Tendonitis, epicondylitis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel: how to treat them?<\/p>

      These pathologies can benefit from both the positive effects of the ultrasound therapy<\/strong><\/a> and those of shock waves. But when to choose one therapy over the other?<\/p>

      Between ultrasound and shockwave therapy<\/strong>, there are many differences<\/strong>, but don’t worry – by the end of this article, you will no longer be in any doubt!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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      What are shock waves?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Shock waves are high-energy acoustic waves that spread through tissue in a rapid and repeated sequence. Depending on their type, they are produced by specific generators or compressors, and are introduced into the body via an applicator.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Shockwave therapy is used extensively in orthopaedics. In addition to treating numerous tendon and bone pathologies, it can also treat muscle-related disorders.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Focused and radial shock waves<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      The difference between radial and focused shock waves lies mainly in the procedure and the type of pathology being treated.<\/p>

      Focused shock waves<\/strong>, as the name suggests, can be focused and directed to reach deep tissue. That is why they are also used for the treatment of bone diseases. The procedure involves using applicators of soft and elastic consistency, so as to avoid injury.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Radial<\/strong> (or ballistic) waves<\/strong>, on the other hand, are transmitted to the body tissues via a metal applicator, via direct tapping on the skin. During the session, the applicator can be moved to cover the entire body area. Radial shock waves propagate in different directions and retain their energy when they remain more at the surface. Generally, they penetrate about 1-3 cm.<\/p>

      Radial shock waves are ideal for treating trigger points, muscle contractures and tendinopathies.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      What is ultrasound therapy?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Ultrasound<\/strong> therapy is an instrumental physical therapy that is excellent for treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system<\/strong>. It uses sound waves that penetrate the soft tissues of the body, transferring energy. To facilitate the passage of sound waves, water-based conductive gel is applied during the treatment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      The sound waves generate micro-vibration within the tissue, which in turn, produces thermal energy. This energy increases the blood flow in the treated area, accelerating the healing <\/strong>of damaged tissue.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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      What is the difference between shock waves and ultrasound therapy?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      The difference between shock waves and ultrasound is based on the delivery<\/strong> mode of the treatment<\/strong>, as well as the pathologies they can treat.<\/p>

      In the previous paragraphs, we have seen how the two therapies work. Now let’s get down to the specifics of intended use, contraindications, side effects and costs.<\/p>

      Shock waves are particularly indicated for the treatment of calcifications, thus, calcific tendinopathies (frozen shoulder), calcaneal spine and plantar fasciitis, particularly if calcific.<\/p>

      They also treat epicondylitis, lower back pain and carpal tunnel. These treatments can be performed with either focused or radial shock waves. However, radial shock waves are used more often – also for cellulite.<\/p>

      It should be noted that the shock waves are professional devices, so the therapy must be carried out in a medical practice.<\/strong><\/p>

      The price for this device is around EUR 10,000 (a figure that may rise or fall depending on the features of the device and the technology used).<\/p>

      Speaking of a shock wave session, on the other hand, the cost can vary from 50 to 80 euro.

      Typically, if treating soft tissue, a shock wave session lasts 10-15 minutes.

      If you are wondering whether shock waves are bad for you, a distinction must be made. In general, radial shock waves are well tolerated by patients. Focused ones, on the other hand, can be painful.<\/p>

      There are some side effects that may occur after therapy.<\/p>

      They usually appear after 1-2 days and consist of: redness, swelling, pain, haematomas, red spots, skin lesions in case one has undergone cortisone therapy in the previous days.<\/p>

      They generally fade after 5-10 days and it is important not to repeat the treatment until they disappear.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Who cannot undergo shock wave therapy?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Similarly, it is necessary to pay attention to contraindications<\/strong>, the main ones of which include:<\/p>