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Shockwave Therapy for Iliotibial Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band syndrome most frequently arises in individuals performing repetitive hectic activities. The sharp pain caused by the iliotibial band syndrome can cause significant disruptions in daily life. The iliotibial band is a crucial tendon in the leg and knee region that helps you move. Victims of the IBS include athletes and players like basketball players, runners, soccer players, skiers, cyclers, etc. As it is a disorder of the players, pain means days off from practice and precious time lost. So, most patients want quick and permanent relief.

Every year doctors adopt multiple strategies to cure ITBS. However, in the recent past, there has been a shift toward shockwave therapy to effectively treat iliotibial band syndrome. So, let’s find out how shockwaves can bring down your leg/knee tendon pain and help you return to the practice field with a new energy!

Symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

Knee pain: The most common complaint of patients with ITBS is knee pain. Athletes encounter severe pain after exercise/working out. A lot of runners report lateral knee pain due to ITBS which aggravates on running downhill. Some patients experience exacerbation of symptoms while exercising while others feel aches during rest.

Hip pain: Iliotibial band friction is recognized as a cause of lateral hip pain in athletic adults. This symptom may be accompanied by other manifestations.

Snapping/clicking sounds: A number of patients are concerned about the loud clicking sounds in their hip/knee heard during movement.

Patients also experience redness and warmth on the skin overlying the iliotibial band. Prolonged, untreated ITBS may even lead to muscle weakness and gait changes.

Shockwave Therapy for Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) aka shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment modality administered to heal soft tissues like tendons, ligaments, muscles, etc. There are two types of ESWT:

  • Focal
  • Radial

The introduction of high-energy shockwaves into the affected site has gained wide popularity in the recent past. Modern studies conclude that conservative treatment options like shockwaves and rest/ice can lower the symptoms of ITBS. This method of healing brings positive changes in the following ways:

Reduces Inflammation

Extracorporeal shockwaves improve the blood supply of the affected region. This helps reduce inflammation in tendinopathies like ITBS. The reduction of inflammation brings down pain and aids in promoting recovery.

Alleviates Pain

This therapy reduces inflammation and pain signals which ultimately leads to alleviation of hip and knee pain. According to a 2024 study, extracorporeal shockwave therapy and strengthening exercises mitigate pain and significantly enhance function.

Kickstarts Natural Healing

The greatest therapeutic benefit of shockwaves in ITBS is the promotion of natural healing. Shockwave therapy lays the foundation of tissue repair by assisting cell proliferation and collagen formation. Therefore, it is regarded as an effective regenerative medicine technique (especially in sports medicine).

Strengthens The Tendon

Studies show that, in addition to inflammation/pain reduction, it plays a part in neovascularization which is the process of forming new blood vessels. This allows the tendons to become stronger and more resistant to damage.

Shockwave Therapy for Iliotibial Band Syndrome At The Legacy Clinic

The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic offers shockwave therapy for iliotibial band syndrome. The professionals at the facility very carefully apply shockwaves to flush out pain and inflammation from your tendon making your tendon “as good as new”. So, don’t let your knee pain keep you from your sports practice, and contact us ASAP!

References

  1. https://legacyclinicofchiropractic.com/what-is-iliotibial-or-it-band-syndrome/
  2. https://legacyclinicofchiropractic.com/services/shockwave-therapy/
  3. Hutchinson, L. A., Lichtwark, G. A., Willy, R. W., & Kelly, L. A. (2022). The iliotibial band: a complex structure with versatile functions. Sports Medicine, 52(5), 995-1008.
  4. Chamberlain, R. (2021). Hip pain in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis. American family physician, 103(2), 81-89.
  5. Miccio, S., Berardi, A., Tofani, M., & Galeoto, G. (2021). Conservative Rehabilitation Treatments of Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Muscles, Ligaments & Tendons Journal (MLTJ), 11(1).
  6. Chen, Y., Lyu, K., Lu, J., Jiang, L., Zhu, B., Liu, X., … & Li, S. (2022). Biological response of extracorporeal shock wave therapy to tendinopathy in vivo. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 851894.
  7. Sanchez-Alvarado, A., Bokil, C., Cassel, M., & Engel, T. (2024). Effects of conservative treatment strategies for iliotibial band syndrome on pain and function in runners: a systematic review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1386456.
  8. Crevenna, R., Mickel, M., Schuhfried, O., Gesslbauer, C., Zdravkovic, A., & Keilani, M. (2021). Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports, 9, 1-10.
  9. Poenaru, D., Sandulescu, M. I., & Cinteza, D. (2022). Biological effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in tendons: A systematic review. Biomedical Reports, 18(2), 15.
  10. https://legacyclinicofchiropractic.com/services/shockwave-therapy/

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Regenerative Therapy in The Villages

Regenerative medicine or therapy is an advanced field of healthcare that aims to heal by promoting natural regeneration within the body. Instead of pumping drugs into the body, regenerative therapists provide you with a means of healing itself. Once an unexplored territory, regenerative therapy has now become an effective way of managing numerous conditions with minimal invasion and side effects. Thus, today’s article discusses the benefits and the prevalent types of regenerative medicine.

Benefits of Regenerative Therapy

There are numerous benefits of opting for regenerative therapy over conventional medicine. Some of the highly liked features (by patients) are discussed below:

Faster Healing: Plenty of conditions require quick recovery for better outcomes. Unlike conventional methods, regenerative mechanisms like stem cells and PRP therapy evidently boost the body’s healing potential. This leads to faster recovery and lesser healing times. Therefore, the use of regenerative platelets has significantly increased in recent times.

Inflammation and Pain Alleviation: The reduction of pain and inflammation with regenerative medicine is also commendable. Present-day studies show that the use of regenerative therapies like PRP injections for chronic spine-related pain can have many positive impacts. When employed in sports injury cases, this particular therapy passes with flying colors. Repeated use of such components can even improve pain/inflammation in chronic knee osteoarthritis patients.

No Need to Burn Your Gut: By cutting down the inflammation and pain in your body, regenerative medicine helps reduce your dependence on drugs. Many patients report abstaining from taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications after a successful session of regenerative therapy. Thus, you can save your gut from further damage by adopting it.

Long-Lasting Results: Unlike conventional treatment options, the use of this therapy is linked to long-lasting results (especially in conditions that tend to recur often). Chronic low back pain patients are faced with the dilemma of recurring pain after treatment. However, a systematic review reveals that several cell-based therapies (using mesenchymal stem cells and PRP) for discogenic pain provide long-term relief.

Reduced Risk of Side Effects: As there is minimal exposure to systemic medications in this method, patients are at a lower risk of side effects. Many believe that the risk of infection with regenerative medicine is also very low.

Types of Regenerative Therapy

Commonly used modes of regenerative therapy include:

Stem-Cell Therapy: The most famous type of regenerative therapy is stem cell therapy which is being used in a range of health conditions. A large number of healthcare professionals use it to treat back pain and spinal disc issues. According to studies, mesenchymal stem cells (extracted from the patient) have shown immense healing potential in discogenic low back pain. Intra-articular injections of mesenchymal cells not only reduce pain but also help repair/regenerate affected tissues.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): In PRP therapy, the therapist extracts platelets from your blood and injects them into the affected site. Loaded with growth factors, the PRP solution kickstarts healing and manages pain/inflammation well. When given to knee osteoarthritis patients, PRP significantly improves stiffness, pain and disability. It also works reliably for various types of chronic pain conditions.

Shockwave Therapy: The introduction of controlled electric waves within the body has shown to promote natural healing. Thus, it also falls under the umbrella of regenerative medicine. There have been accounts where shockwave therapy has worked impressively for shoulder issues, tendinitis, chronic pain disorders and even erectile dysfunction. Thus, shockwave therapy is another remarkable way of regenerating healthy cells within the body.

Regenerative Therapy at The Legacy Clinic

If you are looking to boost your internal capabilities and want to forsake pills, we suggest you visit the Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic for a regenerative therapy session. Be it shockwave therapy or PRP, the experts at the facility ensure maximum outputs with minimal invasion!

Conclusion

New and advanced regenerative therapy procedures like shockwave therapy, PRP and stem cell injections are evidently cutting down pain/inflammation with faster healing and long-lasting results. The Villages community can get their regenerative therapy done by experts at the Legacy clinic.

References

  1. Cecerska-Heryć, E., Goszka, M., Serwin, N., Roszak, M., Grygorcewicz, B., Heryć, R., & Dołęgowska, B. (2022). Applications of the regenerative capacity of platelets in modern medicine. Cytokine & growth factor reviews, 64, 84-94.
  2. Maloney, J., Strand, N., Wie, C., Pew, S., Dawodu, A., Dunn, T., … & Covington, S. (2024). Current review of regenerative medicine therapies for spine-related pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 28(9), 949-955.
  3. Ip, H. L., Nath, D. K., Sawleh, S. H., Kabir, M. H., & Jahan, N. (2020). Regenerative medicine for knee osteoarthritis–the efficacy and safety of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cells injections: a literature review. Cureus, 12(9).
  4. Jaya Sanapati, M. D., Laxmaiah Manchikanti, M. D., Sairam Atluri, M. D., & Sheldon Jordan, M. D. (2018).Do regenerative medicine therapies provide long-term relief in chronic low back pain: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Pain Physician, 21, 515-540.Urits,
  5. I., Capuco, A., Sharma, M., Kaye, A. D., Viswanath, O., Cornett, E. M., & Orhurhu, V. (2019). Stem cell therapies for treatment of discogenic low back pain: a comprehensive review. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 23, 1-12.
  6. Miranda, L., Quaranta, M., Oliva, F., & Maffulli, N. (2023). Stem cells and discogenic back pain. British Medical Bulletin, 146(1), 73-87.
  7. Wu, Y. T., Hsu, K. C., Li, T. Y., Chang, C. K., & Chen, L. C. (2018). Effects of platelet-rich plasma on pain and muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 97(4), 248-254.
  8. Kuffler, D. P. (2018). Variables affecting the potential efficacy of PRP in providing chronic pain relief. Journal of Pain Research, 109-116.
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Shock Wave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

Shock Wave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a disorder in which the patient is unable to keep an erection for normal sexual activity. As per estimates, 52% of men in the United States suffer from ED. The disability mostly affects men between the ages of 40 and 70. Erectile dysfunction is a personal issue that can contribute significantly to physical and psychological issues.

Thus, patients seek different forms of treatment for the disorder including oral medications, hormone replacement therapies (HRT), penile implants, etc. However, all these therapies are linked to some kind of adverse effects. Therefore, many patients are now shifting towards safe and effective alternatives like shockwave therapy. So, today we shed some light on what is shockwave therapy and how it helps ED patients!

What Is Shock Wave Therapy?

Also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy, it is a non-invasive therapy that uses different-intensity electric waves to promote healing. This type of treatment option is gaining rapid popularity in managing painful injuries and chronic inflammatory conditions. Surprisingly, shockwaves can prove to be beneficial for erectile dysfunction patients as well. Patients with vasculogenic ED seem to benefit the most from this type of treatment.

How Shock Wave Therapy Improves Erectile Dysfunction Condition?

Low-intensity shockwaves promote healing by improving the blood flow to the affected site. As erection heavily relies on optimal blood flow to the penile tissue, any modality that increases the pooling of blood can enhance the condition.

According to a meta-analysis, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave (Li-ESWT) leads to an evident increase in erectile function scores. Recent studies found shock wave therapy to be effective for ED. Moreover, there were minimal side effects associated with it.

A 2019 meta-analysis found 2 ESWT sessions per week for 3 weeks to be the best treatment plan. Patients were given a rest of 3 weeks after which the shockwaves were incorporated for another 3 weeks (twice-weekly routine) to obtain superior results.

How Is It Performed?

A healthcare professional moves the electronic device (which emits electric impulses) along different parts of the penis to induce blood flow improvements. The procedure lasts for about 15 minutes.

Benefits Of Shockwave Therapy

  • It is a painless procedure (for most people).
  • It is a safe procedure with minimal side effects.
  • The therapy has long-term effects (for about one year).
  • You get rid of pills and invasive surgeries.

Shock Wave Therapy At The Legacy Clinic Of Chiropractic

The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic offers diverse options of treatments for different medical conditions. The experts at the clinic are trained to deliver high-quality shock wave therapy to improve your erectile dysfunction and help you get an exciting sex life!

References

  1. Leslie, S. W., & Sooriyamoorthy, T. (2024). Erectile dysfunction. In StatPearls [internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
  2. Retzler, K. (2019). Erectile dysfunction: a review of comprehensive treatment options for optimal outcome. Journal of Restorative Medicine, 8(1).
  3. Korakakis, V., Whiteley, R., Tzavara, A., & Malliaropoulos, N. (2018). The effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in common lower limb conditions: a systematic review including quantification of patient-rated pain reduction. British journal of sports medicine, 52(6), 387-407.
  4. Clavijo, R. I., Kohn, T. P., Kohn, J. R., & Ramasamy, R. (2017). Effects of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy on erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The journal of sexual medicine, 14(1), 27-35.
  5. Bocchino, A. C., Pezzoli, M., Martínez-Salamanca, J. I., Russo, G. I., Giudice, A. L., & Cocci, A. (2023). Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: Myths and realities. Investigative and clinical urology, 64(2), 118.
  6. Sokolakis, I., & Hatzichristodoulou, G. (2019). Clinical studies on low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International journal of impotence research, 31(3), 177-194.
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Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Issues

Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Issues

Also known as Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), the treatment modality uses electric waves to jumpstart your body after an injury. It is a popular method of healing muscular and pain-causing diseases. Shockwave therapy (SWT) is a highly efficient, non-surgical therapy that is FDA-approved for musculoskeletal disorders such as golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, and plantar fasciitis. This form of treatment has shown promising results in treating shoulder disorders. Research shows that shockwave therapy alters the pathophysiological process of different musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, it can bring positive changes to patient conditions. Today, we will discover how introducing shockwaves benefits shoulder pain.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment in which the professional introduces high-energy electric shockwaves (via a hand-held device) to cure soft tissue abnormalities. It is known for managing upper and lower limb tendinopathies. Moreover, this form of treatment can effectively relieve pain and come in handy in numerous shoulder pathologies. There are different types of shockwave therapies including focused, radial, and combined.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Disorders

Patients with the following conditions can benefit from SWT/ESWT:

Tendinitis/Tendinopathies Inflammation and tearing of soft tissues, especially tendons can cause significant pain and discomfort. Studies show that the use of shockwave therapy yields results similar to steroid injections and has minimal side effects. Therefore, shockwave therapy is a choice for most patients.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Among shoulder tendinopathies, the most prevalent issue is rotator cuff tendonitis. Incorporating shockwaves can alleviate symptoms. A 2024 study, showed that ESWT can lead to significant functional improvements in rotator cuff disease patients. Study members also reported superior pain relief and strong functional recovery. Another randomized study advocates the use of ESWT as an adjuvant therapy for rotator cuff patients suffering from shoulder stiffness.

Calcific Tendonitis Another condition that can affect shoulder health is calcific tendonitis. The use of radial shockwave therapy improves shoulder articular function, lowers pain, and enhances overall quality of life. Clinical studies demonstrate that the most beneficial wave therapy for calcific tendonitis is combined focused and radial ESWT.

Frozen Shoulder Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is a painful condition of the shoulder that affects 3-5% of the general population. When used as an adjunctive therapy, ESWT alleviates pain and improves function. The treatment is completely safe and readily accepted by most patients.

In addition to chronic shoulder pain, patients with shoulder injuries can also take advantage of extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?

The introduction of electric shockwaves in the body has the following benefits:

  • Improves circulation of the injured/inflamed tissues
  • Breaks down calcific deposits (as in calcific tendonitis)
  • Stimulates the regeneration of new connective tissues
  • Cuts down inflammation of the affected site

Shockwave Therapy at The Legacy Clinic Of Chiropractic

The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic offers high-quality treatments for shoulder pain. Shockwave therapy is one of our most efficient and liked therapies for shoulder disorders. If shoulder pain keeps you from doing your basic activities, we suggest you get a session of shockwave therapy!

Final Word

Electroconvulsive Shockwave therapy (ESWT) is an effective therapy to treat different shoulder pathologies such as calcific tendonitis, rotator cuff injury, frozen shoulder, etc.  The introduction of high-energy electric shockwaves improves blood flow and promotes natural healing of the body.

References

  1. Al-Abbad, H., Allen, S., Morris, S., Reznik, J., Biros, E., Paulik, B., & Wright, A. (2020). The effects of shockwave therapy on musculoskeletal conditions based on changes in imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21, 1-26.
  2. Elgendy, M. H., Khalil, S. E., ElMeligie, M. M., & Elazab, D. R. (2024). Effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in treatment of upper and lower limb tendinopathies: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Physiotherapy Research International, 29(1), e2042.
  3. Lee, H. W., Kim, J. Y., Park, C. W., Haotian, B., Lee, G. W., & Noh, K. C. (2022). Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and ultrasound-guided shoulder injection therapy in patients with supraspinatus tendinitis. Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery, 14(4), 585.
  4. Xue, X., Song, Q., Yang, X., Kuati, A., Fu, H., & Cui, G. (2024). Effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(1), 1-20.
  5. Ammendolia, A., Marotta, N., Demeco, A., Marinaro, C., Moggio, L., Barletta, M., & Costantino, C. (2020). Effectiveness of Radial Shockwave Therapy in Calcific and Non-Calcific Tendinopathy of the Shoulder: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Muscles, Ligaments & Tendons Journal (MLTJ), 10(1).
  6. Abo Al-Khair, M. A., El Khouly, R. M., Khodair, S. A., Al Sattar Elsergany, M. A., Hussein, M. I., & Eldin Mowafy, M. E. (2021). Focused, radial and combined shock wave therapy in treatment of calcific shoulder tendinopathy. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 49(4), 480-487.
  7. Jacob, L., Gyasi, R. M., Koyanagi, A., Haro, J. M., Smith, L., & Kostev, K. (2023). Prevalence of and risk factors for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder in older adults from Germany. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(2), 669.