Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for treating chronic low back and shoulder pain
Chronic shoulder and lower back pain brings about discomfort and inconvenience in daily life and tends not to respond to conventional and other conservative therapies in many cases. This includes “frozen shoulder” in particular — which is an idiopathic and progressive disease, which is identified by pain and decreased range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder and shoulder joint capsule fibrosis. Low back pain has a number of root causes including injury, repetitive stress, poor posture, degenerative disk disease and numerous other causes.
Low back pain symptoms range from a dull ache to a stabbing or shooting sensation. The pain may make it hard to move or stand up straight. Pain that comes on suddenly is “acute.” It might happen during sports or heavy lifting. Pain that lasts more than 3 months is considered “chronic.
At Proactive Wellness we now offer the revolutionary Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of chronic lower back pain and shoulder pain including frozen shoulder.
Shock wave therapy (ESWT) uses acoustic waves to transmit high peak pressure waves that promote and accelerate the body’s own natural healing for chronic conditions. ESWT triggers a variety of biological responses including:
- Activate stem cells and human growth factors (new cell growth)
- Stimulates tissue remodeling and neovascularization
- Increase in blood flow, microcirculation
- Remodeling of fibrotic tissue, release trigger points
- Reversal of chronic inflammation
- Increase nitric oxide (NO)
- Activate stem cells and human growth factors (new cell growth)
- Modulates pain fibers causing an analgesic effect
ESWT is an effective option because it triggers multiple biological responses that work together for short and long term healing. ESWT is all-natural, non-invasive and yields long-term patient results.
ESWT directly addresses the increase in Substance “P” in patients that are reporting high levels of pain. Substance P is a neuropeptide, acting as a neurotransmitter and as a neuromodulator. It is broadly understood that Substance P is increased in patients with high levels of pain. ESWT directly provokes a decrease in substance P and other pain-provoking chemicals, stimulation of inflammatory reduction, increase in the blood flow rate and revascularization stimulates and reactivates the process of healing of the tendons, surrounding tissues, and bones. These effects are associated with a significant increase in mobility and an overall decrease in pain in nearly every study reported to date.
How does it work?
In short, ESWT lowers pain, increases quality of life and decreases pain related depression through the following biologic mechanisms:
- It causes microtrauma which leads to an increase in VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor), which in turn leads to an increase in angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).
- It directly increases Nitric Oxide (N.0.) which has the effect of increasing blood flow and the associated benefits of the increased blood flow
- It results in stem cell creation and expansion. This mechanism is slower than the first two but important for long-term benefits.
Don’t believe us? Here are summaries of some of the published research:
- Based on one study, the author concludes “This non-invasive, medical procedure is capable of triggering cellular and molecular alterations that assist the regeneration of injured tissues. ESWT is mainly responsible for: pain relief, by acting directly on nerve fibers; tissue regeneration by stimulating vascularization; and reduction of calcium deposits in tissues. Numerous publications have proven the efficacy and safety of both radial and focused ESWT for the treatment of many musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis and different types of tendinopathies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7275282/
- In another study, this one had a control group (CPTG) that received conventional non-invasive therapy. In intra-group comparisons, ESWTG and CPTG showed significant decreases in VAS, ODI, and BDI scores. Intergroup comparisons revealed that these decreases in VAS, ODI, and BDI scores were significantly larger in ESWTG than in CPTG. [Conclusion] Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective intervention for the treatment of pain, disability, and depression in chronic low back pain patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339147/
- Another study used laser therapy in the control group with a total of 200 patients. Results: The VAS (pain) score dropped markedly in both groups compared with that before treatment, and the observation group had an evidently lower VAS score and a significantly higher effective rate than the control group (94.00% vs. 64.00%, P<0.05). After treatment, the quality-of-life score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the observation group had a lower incidence rate of complications than the control group (P<0.05).
Don’t be one of these patients any longer
According to a Georgetown University study, back problems are among patients’ most frequent complaints to their doctors. Nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain. Some 16 million adults — 8 percent of all adults — experience persistent or chronic back pain, and as a result are limited in certain everyday activities. Back pain is the sixth most costly condition in the United States. Health care costs and indirect costs due to back pain are over $12 billion per year.(1) Adults with back pain are more likely to use health care services than adults without back pain. Many of the indirect costs of the condition are related to missed days of work and disability payments.
Stop being a statistic, reduce your pain and associated depression and reclaim your life. Shockwave therapy can help you do exactly that, but you have to take the next step.
ESWT is for you if chronic back pain is keeping you from the health you deserve.
Whether you have a severe or mild case of back or shoulder pain, if it is impacting your ability to carryout your daily activities or making them uncomfortable, it is time to consider something different. You have have tried laser therapy, physical therapy or other non-invasive therapies. But if these therapies haven’t resolved your pain, you may be considering surgery. But if you have done your homework, you may know that success with surgery isn’t guaranteed even with the downtime and disruption in your life.
Unlike facilities that are staffed with non-physician personnel, Proactive Wellness Centers offers combination therapies that combine ESWT with other proven therapies to enhance improve outcomes. The combination therapies we offer include:
- ESWT with CJC-1295/Ipamorelin. CJC-1295/Ipamorelin is a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) that helps any regenerative process by increasing your growth hormone level. Growth hormone is needed for neovascularization (creating new blood vessels), so clearly this combination therapy can help any patient undergoing ESWT therapy.
- ESWT with other peptides that help with the healing of soft tissues. BPC-157 and Thymosin Beta 4 have healing properties that support soft tissue healing.
- ESWT with our metabolic rejuvenation program to help you achieve weight loss and ideal body composition. For many patients, carrying excess weight exacerbates the back pain as it increases stress on the body. Imaging carrying a 50-80 lb weight all day every day if you are overweight in that range. Even a healthy person might begin to feel the impact of this weight. Our weight loss program is a medical-based program designed based on your unique metabolic factors that helps you to safely lose weight and keep if off. We have helped thousands of patients achieve weight loss of 20 lbs, 50 lbs, 100 lbs and more.
ESWT treatments are given in 20-30 minute sessions in our office. For most conditions, patients need 1-2 treatments per week for 6-8 weeks to see a meaningful reduction in pain and increase in quality of life. This is because it it is a regenerative process and it takes time for the body to execute the regenerative actions.
Ready to get started?
Use one of the options below.
- Text “Pain” and your first name to 833.341.0170 and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will get back to you personally and confidentially. You only need to provide your first name. Note, this number is only for texts — no voice calls.
- If between the hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, feel free to call us now on (703) 822-5003 Ext 4 and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will answer any question you have and get you started.
- Fill the contact form below and we will get back to you within 2-3 hours except weekends.