In this weeks Newsletter I wanted to discuss the impact of SoftWave Therapy for the patients of Health 1st! You might have heard about SoftWave Therapy from Dr. Gina or the Front Desk or maybe you're new to the idea, but rest assured that I'll walk you through what SoftWave Therapy is and how it can make your life a whole lot better.
*$49 discovery session only applies to one treatment area. Health 1st offers $79 discovery sessions for two treatment areas.
What is SoftWave Therapy?
SoftWave Therapy, also known as SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies (TRT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
Below you can find a brief overview of uses and treatments:
The SoftWave Device:
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Increases blood supply
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Decreases inflammation
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Stimulates and activates resident stem cells
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Repairs, remodels, and regenerates tissue
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Accelerates wound healing
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Reduces acute and chronic pain
Conditions Treated by SoftWave:
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Shoulder and Back Pain
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Arm, Wrist, and Hand Pain
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Leg and Knee Pain
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Shin Splints
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Plantar Fasciitis
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Jumpers Knee
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Stress Fractures
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Foot Ulcer Pain
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And so much more!
When we say it's non-invasive, what we mean is that there is no surgery, no injections, and no lasting marks after treatments.
Check out this short video below on SoftWave being applied to the wrist.
The History of Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
What we call SoftWave Therapy is known clinically as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and involves using high-energy acoustic (sound) waves to break down tissue to promote healing and repair. Initially introduced in the early 1980s as lithotripsy to treat kidney stones, ESWT has since evolved to include focused and radial applications.
Types of ESWT:
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Focused ESWT: Delivers acoustic waves in a concentrated pattern.
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Radial ESWT: Distributes acoustic waves in a broader, radial pattern.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, researchers explored ESWT's therapeutic potential beyond lithotripsy. Studies demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing pain and enhancing healing in bones, tendons, ligaments, and fascia for musculoskeletal conditions. Additionally, ESWT showed promise in alleviating spasticity in patients with neurological disorders.
How Does It Work?
Now that you know a little more about the history of SoftWave Therapy, let's dive into how it works at Health 1st.
As mentioned before, SoftWave Therapy works through the application of high-energy sound waves (acoustic waves) to the affected area of the body.
Mechanism of Action
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Acoustic Wave Generation: The therapy device generates high-energy sound waves using an electrohydraulic technique, creating a shock wave that is transmitted into the body through a water medium.
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Penetration into Tissues: These sound waves travel through the skin and penetrate deep into tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
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Cellular Effects: The shock waves cause microtrauma or micro-cavitation bubbles within the tissues. This controlled microtrauma stimulates the body's natural healing processes.
Biological Responses
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Increased Blood Flow: The shock waves stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and enhance blood circulation in the affected area, providing more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, which aids in the healing process.
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Reduction of Inflammation: The therapy helps reduce inflammation by decreasing the production of inflammatory mediators and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines.
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Pain Relief: SoftWave Therapy interrupts the transmission of pain signals to the brain, providing immediate pain relief. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body.
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Stimulation of Cell Growth and Repair: The shock waves activate stem cells and growth factors, promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged cells and tissues. This can lead to the formation of new, healthy tissue in the treated area.
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Breaking Down Calcifications: In conditions where calcifications are present (e.g., calcific tendonitis), the acoustic waves help break down the calcium deposits, which are then gradually reabsorbed and eliminated by the body.
Clinical Applications
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Musculoskeletal Conditions: Effective in treating conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, and arthritis by reducing pain and promoting tissue healing.
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Sports Injuries: Helps athletes recover from injuries like sprains, strains, and overuse injuries by enhancing the body's natural repair mechanisms.
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Chronic Pain: Provides relief from chronic pain conditions by interrupting pain signals and reducing inflammation.
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Wound Healing: Can be used to promote the healing of chronic wounds and ulcers by stimulating blood flow and cellular repair.
Treatment Process
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Initial Assessment: The practitioner assesses the patient's condition to determine if SoftWave Therapy is appropriate.
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Application: The treatment area is exposed, and a gel is applied to facilitate the transmission of sound waves. The device's applicator is then moved over the treatment area.
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Treatment Duration: Each session typically lasts between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the condition being treated and the size of the area.
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Frequency of Sessions: The number of sessions required varies, but many patients experience improvement after just a few treatments. Sessions are usually spaced a few days to a week apart.
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Post-Treatment: There may be some temporary discomfort or redness in the treated area, but this generally resolves quickly. Patients can usually return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Our Patients Success Stories!
Many of our patients have had great success with SoftWave Therapy, and we couldn't be happier to hear it. Which is why we want to show you just what they're saying!
Linda L:
"I was at the point where I couldn't get out of bed, I couldn't take a shower for five days cause I couldn't be on my feet long enough. I knew there had to have been help somewhere, and then we heard about SoftWave here at Gina's. It's been amazing, I can do laundry, I can take showers, I can take three showers a day now... If I had heard about this a year ago I would have been here. Thank God for SoftWave and thank God for Dr. Gina."
See Linda's Video Below!
Sandra B:
"Before I started doing SoftWave, I was having difficulty walking. I had to use a cane.. I noticed the improvement because I haven't used the cane for a couple weeks now. It sits by my door in case I need it but I've been leaving it at home!"
*$49 discovery session only applies to one treatment area. Health 1st offers $79 discovery sessions for two treatment areas.
Healthy and Fun Family Activities
To keep your kids active this summer, try Health 1st's very own Summer Bingo!
The rules are simple:
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Get your bingo card from the Health 1st front desk.
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Complete activities and mark them on the card.
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Bring your finished card to win big prizes!
You'll have all summer to do the activities so there's no rush! Just make sure to have as much fun as possible!