OSTEOPATHY AUCKLAND
Osteoarthritis
treatment
MOVEMENT MECHANICS OSTEOPATHY AUCKLAND
Are you experiencing joint pain, morning stiffness, grating sensations, loss of function, decreased range of motion or instability? Have you tried physiotherapy or chiropractic with no lasting improvements? Shockwave therapy is a great treatment consideration.
Fast
Treatments typically take 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the treatment site.
Non-invasive
A great alternative to steroid injections and surgery.
Effective
Reduces the average pain score from 8/10 to 2/10 within 4 weekly sessions.
Slowing down the disease progression of Osteoarthritis
Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, Shockwave Therapy can help slow the disease's progression. It can help slow down cartilage wear by increasing the amount of lubricin produced in the joint. Lubricin is a glycoprotein that acts as a lubricating fluid in joints and tendons. It not only slows down cartilage wear but also stops synovial cells from sticking together. We see great results in treating Osteoarthritis suffered, including those with shoulder and Knee Osteoarthritis.
Not only does Shockwave Therapy stimulate lubricin gene expression and reduce erosive wear, but it can also help modulate nocioception, improve pain-free movement, increase blood flow, and stimulate tissue remodelling, regeneration, and healing. Shockwave Therapy also reduces inflammation, cell death and necrosis. A course of shockwave therapy for osteoarthritis typically consists of 6 - 8 treatments one week apart and is shown to have lasting effects months to years after the course of treatment.
For many, the thought of surgical intervention is scary, and many, despite surgery being indicated, would rather avoid it if possible. Shockwave Therapy provides an excellent evidence-based treatment option for those who wish to manage the pain and functional deficits non-surgically and do not wish to go down the path of steroid injections.
The dose of Shockwave Therapy is important
The intensity of the shockwave therapy is very important for beneficial osteoarthritis patient outcomes. The higher the energy, the better the changes in both pain score and osteoarthritis index scores (WOMAC). With this in mind, it is important to remember that not all shockwave machines are created equal. The majority of leading literature showcasing the benefits of Shockwave therapy uses EMS DolorClast® Shockwave devices. These machines can sustain the same energy delivery at higher frequencies, demonstrating significant differences in energy output at higher frequency settings compared to other devices used in New Zealand, such as the Storz MASTERPULS® 200 ultra.
For many, the thought of surgical intervention or loss of mobility from osteoarthritis is overwhelming. Shockwave Therapy can help modulate pain and improve joint function and has helped many delay or avoid the need for surgery or steroid injections.