Shockwave Therapy | Simply Move Chiropractic

The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain: A Look at the Research

Natalie Otoya — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:43:02 +0000

Shoulder pain can significantly impact your ability to perform everyday activities. At my practice, I use shockwave therapy to help patients find relief from chronic conditions affecting the shoulder. Two recent studies highlight the effectiveness of this innovative treatment for two specific shoulder conditions: chronic calcific shoulder tendinitis and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Let me walk you through these findings and how they relate to the care I provide.

Chronic Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis and Shockwave Therapy

Chronic calcific shoulder tendinitis is a condition where calcium deposits form in the rotator cuff tendons, leading to pain and stiffness. It can make activities like lifting your arm or carrying groceries feel unbearable. While traditional treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications and physiotherapy can help, they’re not always effective.

A systematic review examining the midterm effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for this condition found promising results. This review analyzed multiple studies and concluded that ESWT effectively reduced pain and improved shoulder function in patients who hadn’t responded to other treatments. Importantly, these benefits persisted for at least six months after treatment.

The findings also suggest that ESWT is a safe alternative to surgery, offering similar outcomes with fewer risks and less downtime. However, the review did highlight a need for more standardized protocols to guide dosing and ensure long-term effectiveness. In my practice, I use evidence-based parameters to tailor shockwave therapy sessions for each patient, maximizing their results.

Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis and Shockwave Therapy

Adhesive capsulitis, often called frozen shoulder, is characterized by stiffness and pain that restrict movement. It can develop gradually and significantly limit your quality of life. Traditional treatments include physical therapy, steroid injections, and in severe cases, surgery.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) for adhesive capsulitis. This study involved 106 patients divided into experimental and control groups. Over four weekly sessions, the experimental group received real shockwave therapy, while the control group received a placebo.

The results were compelling. Patients who received rESWT experienced significant improvements in shoulder movement, reduced pain, and better overall arm function at both four and 24 weeks after treatment. These findings show that rESWT is an effective and safe option for frozen shoulder, offering hope to those who have struggled with more traditional therapies.

Shockwave Therapy in My Office

These studies reinforce the benefits I’ve seen firsthand in my practice when using shockwave therapy to treat shoulder conditions. Whether it’s chronic calcific tendinitis or adhesive capsulitis, shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive, highly effective treatment option that can provide long-lasting relief.

When you visit my office, I take a personalized approach to care. After a thorough evaluation of your shoulder’s condition, I use state-of-the-art shockwave equipment to target the underlying issue. The therapy works by delivering high-energy sound waves to the affected tissues, stimulating blood flow, breaking down calcifications, and encouraging natural healing processes.

More recently, I have had really great success with Red Laser Therapy and Shockwave Therapy.

What makes this study particularly relevant is its focus on muscle balance and alignment, which are crucial in TMJ recovery. As the research shows, improving jaw symmetry not only alleviates pain but also restores functional alignment, helping prevent future discomfort. For patients experiencing the constant, frustrating cycle of TMJ pain, these benefits can make a dramatic difference in quality of life.

Why Choose Shockwave Therapy?

Both of these studies highlight shockwave therapy’s ability to improve shoulder function and reduce pain for patients struggling with chronic conditions. Whether you’re dealing with calcific tendinitis or frozen shoulder, this treatment could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

If shoulder pain has been holding you back, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can develop a treatment plan that helps you get back to the activities you love, pain-free.

If TMJ pain has been affecting your daily life and you live in Charlotte, NC, consider scheduling an appointment to explore how dry needling, along with a comprehensive treatment plan, can provide relief and help you regain comfortable, natural jaw movement.

Comparing Shockwave Therapy and Dry Needle Therapy

Ryan — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 10:40:49 +0000

Comparing Shockwave Therapy and Dry Needle Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain

In my chiropractic practice, I frequently use both shockwave therapy and dry needle therapy to treat musculoskeletal pain. Although each approach is effective, they target pain in distinct ways, providing unique benefits that can address different patient needs and conditions. In this article, I’ll break down what each therapy entails, explain some of their differences, and reference a recent clinical study comparing these techniques. Finally, I’ll discuss how a patient might decide which treatment is best suited for their situation.

Shockwave Therapy: A Non-Invasive Option

Shockwave therapy (SWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in tissues. During a session, a device generates acoustic waves that penetrate the skin, targeting the painful area and promoting blood flow, cellular repair, and tissue regeneration.

I find shockwave therapy particularly effective for chronic, stubborn conditions that have not responded to other treatments, such as tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and other conditions involving connective tissue. SWT typically requires a few sessions, and it often brings relief by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms without breaking the skin.

Dry Needle Therapy: Precise and Deeply Focused

Dry needling involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific muscle trigger points. These are tight bands of muscle that contribute to pain and tension. The process helps to release tight knots and improve range of motion, making it highly effective for musculoskeletal pain related to muscle dysfunction.

Although the treatment is different from acupuncture, both use fine needles to stimulate tissue response. Dry needling works particularly well for muscle pain, stiffness, and spasms. While patients might feel some mild discomfort or soreness afterward, dry needling is generally well tolerated and produces targeted relief, especially for muscular pain.

Key Differences Between Shockwave Therapy and Dry Needling

The main difference between these two therapies lies in their approach and what they target. Shockwave therapy uses sound waves externally, making it non-invasive and suitable for broader tissue areas, such as tendons and ligaments. In contrast, dry needling is an invasive approach that targets specific muscle trigger points directly, providing localized relief from muscular pain. Each therapy offers distinct benefits depending on the patient’s pain source, whether it be within muscles or deeper connective tissues.

Evidence-Based Support: Comparing Shockwave and Dry Needling for Iliotibial Band Syndrome

A recent clinical study investigated the effectiveness of both therapies for iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), a common condition in runners that causes pain along the outer thigh and knee. This randomized clinical trial found that both shockwave therapy and dry needling were effective in reducing pain, though the mechanisms were different. Shockwave therapy promoted healing by enhancing circulation and tissue repair, while dry needling provided immediate relief by releasing tension in the iliotibial band and surrounding muscles. The study highlighted how both treatments can be beneficial, yet they offer different healing benefits, depending on the underlying cause and location of the pain.

Choosing Between Shockwave and Dry Needling Therapy

When choosing between these therapies, patients should consider several factors, including their pain type, treatment goals, and personal comfort level. For patients with chronic, deep tissue issues or tendinopathies, shockwave therapy may be more suitable, as it can address large areas and stimulate healing without the need for needles. Conversely, patients experiencing localized muscle pain or tension might benefit more from dry needling, as it can directly release trigger points and restore mobility.

Ultimately, the choice may also come down to comfort. Some patients prefer non-invasive treatments and would choose shockwave therapy, while others may appreciate the precision of dry needling for specific muscle tightness. In my practice, I take a personalized approach, discussing each patient’s symptoms, preferences, and treatment history to help them make an informed choice. Whether using shockwave therapy or dry needling, my goal is always to relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life.

Shockwave Therapy in Charlotte NC

Natalie Otoya — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 14:10:12 +0000

Discover the Benefits of Shockwave Therapy in Charlotte, NC

At Simply Move Chiropractic, I’m excited to offer Shockwave Therapy in Charlotte, NC as part of our advanced treatment options for musculoskeletal pain. Whether you’re struggling with chronic conditions or recovering from an injury, this non-invasive therapy can accelerate healing and provide lasting relief. Let me explain what Shockwave Therapy is, how it works, and the specific conditions it can help treat.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy, or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), uses acoustic waves to target painful or injured areas of the body. Originally developed to break up kidney stones, Shockwave Therapy has evolved into a highly effective treatment for soft tissue injuries, tendon disorders, and chronic pain. It’s a great option for patients who haven’t found relief through other treatments such as manual therapy or medication.

This therapy offers a targeted approach, focusing on tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscles. For patients looking to avoid surgery or long-term medication, Shockwave Therapy in Charlotte, NC can be an excellent alternative.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Shockwave Therapy delivers high-energy sound waves to the affected area. These waves create controlled microtrauma in the tissue, triggering your body’s natural healing processes. Here’s how it works to repair damaged tissues and reduce pain:

Increased Blood Flow: Shockwave Therapy boosts blood circulation in the targeted area, ensuring that more oxygen and nutrients reach the injured tissue. This speeds up healing and reduces inflammation, helping you feel better faster.

Collagen Production: Shockwave Therapy stimulates the production of collagen, a key building block for tendons and ligaments. This promotes stronger, healthier tissue and helps repair injuries more effectively.

Breaking Down Calcium Deposits: If you have calcific tendonitis, calcium deposits can cause pain and stiffness. Shockwave Therapy breaks down these deposits, allowing your body to absorb and eliminate them, resulting in pain relief and improved mobility.

Pain Relief: By disrupting the pain signals sent to the brain, Shockwave Therapy provides immediate pain relief. Over time, it can also reduce the sensitivity of nerves in the affected area, leading to long-term relief.

Stimulates Cellular Repair: The therapy encourages the activation of stem cells and growth factors that are essential for tissue regeneration, further aiding in recovery.

Conditions Treated with Shockwave Therapy

Plantar Fasciitis: A common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis can be very frustrating. Shockwave Therapy helps break down scar tissue in the plantar fascia, reducing inflammation and pain.

Tennis Elbow: If you suffer from tennis elbow, Shockwave Therapy can reduce inflammation and repair the damaged tendons in your elbow, providing much-needed relief.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: For patients experiencing shoulder pain, Shockwave Therapy improves blood flow and accelerates healing in the rotator cuff, easing pain and restoring mobility.

Achilles Tendinopathy: Athletes often face Achilles tendon issues. Shockwave Therapy reduces inflammation, stimulates healing, and gets you back to your activities faster.

Hip Pain (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome): Chronic hip pain can be relieved with Shockwave Therapy by breaking down adhesions and improving blood flow in the hip region.

Shin Splints: Active individuals suffering from shin splints can benefit from Shockwave Therapy, which targets areas of inflammation and promotes faster recovery.

Calcific Tendonitis: Calcium deposits in tendons can cause significant discomfort. Shockwave Therapy breaks down these deposits, reducing pain and stiffness.

Combo Treatment: Shockwave and Red Laser Therapy

When used together, shockwave therapy and infrared laser therapy can create a synergistic effect that enhances the overall treatment outcome for patients with chronic pain, soft tissue injuries, and joint inflammation. Shockwave therapy acts as a powerful tool to break down scar tissue and adhesions, stimulate blood flow, and activate cell regeneration in deeper layers of the muscle and tendon.

This sets the stage for improved healing, making the tissues more receptive to the benefits of infrared laser therapy. By combining shockwave therapy’s mechanical effects with infrared laser’s ability to reduce inflammation and boost cellular repair, patients can experience faster and more comprehensive healing than with either therapy alone.

Why Choose Shockwave Therapy?

What I love about offering Shockwave Therapy in Charlotte, NC is its effectiveness and convenience. The treatment sessions are quick, usually lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, and many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions. There’s no need for downtime, so you can get back to your daily routine right away.

If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain or an injury that hasn’t responded to other treatments, Shockwave Therapy could be the solution you need. This therapy targets the root cause of your pain, encouraging your body’s natural healing processes to deliver long-term relief without the need for invasive procedures.

PERFECT FOR YOU

Pricing Plans

Pricing is subject change. You have 3 days after purchase of package for a full or partial refund.

Single Treatment

$90

Add on

This price is for a single shockwave therapy session and is purchased as an add-on with other treatments.

Package Price

$325

4 Session Package

This package includes 4 shockwave therapy treatments with a 10% discount.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Shockwave Therapy.

Is Shockwave Therapy painful?

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during shockwave therapy. The intensity of the treatment can be adjusted based on your tolerance. You may feel very mild soreness during and after the treatment, but this typically subsides within a few days.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies depending on the severity and nature of your condition. Most patients require 3-5 sessions, spaced about a week apart. I offer packages consisting of 4 treatments.

Are there any side effects?

Shockwave therapy is generally safe with few side effects. Some patients may experience temporary redness, swelling, or soreness in the treated area. These effects typically resolve within a few days. I will review any potential risks during your consultation.

How long does each session last?

Each session typically lasts between 10-20 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Shockwave therapy is quick and can often be incorporated into your overall treatment plan at Simply Move Chiropractic.

Is there an alternative to Shockwave Therapy?

Dry Needle Theraepy is a great alternative to Shockwave Therapy. Studies have shown very similar results although the two treatments are different.

When will I start feeling better?

Many patients report feeling some improvement after the first session, though optimal results usually occur after several treatments. The body continues to heal and improve for weeks after completing shockwave therapy.

Who is a good candidate for Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is suitable for patients dealing with chronic pain, inflammation, or injuries related to tendons, ligaments, or muscles. It is especially helpful for conditions that haven’t responded well to traditional treatments. Your chiropractor will assess whether this therapy is appropriate for your specific condition.

Can Shockwave Therapy be combined with other treatments?

Yes! Infrared Laser Therapy is often paired with Shockwave Therapy as an effective co-treatment. I offer packages that include both Laser and Shockwave Therapy treatments.

Is Shockwave Therapy covered by insurance?

I am a cash practice at but I offer treatment packages at a discount for Shockwave Therapy. Patients can submit a super bill to their insurance for possible re-imbursement or use their FSA plan.

The Evolution of Scoliosis Bracing: Traditional Methods vs. ScoliBrace® in Charlotte, NC

Natalie Otoya — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:57:16 +0000

The Evolution of Scoliosis Bracing:

Traditional Methods vs. ScoliBrace® in Charlotte, NC

For decades, the journey to manage scoliosis, a condition characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, has been fraught with challenges. In Charlotte, NC, and beyond, patients and practitioners alike have sought effective non-surgical treatments to address this complex condition. As a chiropractor dedicated to providing advanced and personalized care at Simply Move Chiropractic, I’ve observed firsthand the evolution of scoliosis bracing. This article delves into the traditional scoliosis bracing methods and introduces the innovative ScoliBrace®, highlighting the differences and advantages of each approach.

Traditional Scoliosis Bracing: An Overview

Traditional scoliosis bracing, known for its use of Thoraco-Lumbar-Sacral-Orthosis (TLSO) braces, has been the cornerstone of early scoliosis management for years. TLSO braces, such as the well-known Boston Brace, are designed to immobilize the spine using a three-point pressure system, treating the spine much like a fracture.

This method has shown moderate success in preventing the progression of scoliosis curves and averting the need for surgery. The largest randomized control trial on traditional scoliosis braces, the BRAIST Study, reported a 72% success rate with bracing compared to non-brace treatment, emphasizing the positive correlation between the duration of brace wear and treatment success.

The Advent of ScoliBrace®: A Customized Approach

In contrast, the ScoliBrace® represents a significant advancement in scoliosis bracing technology. Developed after years of research into mirror image rehabilitation and 3D design, the ScoliBrace® offers a customized solution that addresses the patient’s spinal and postural deformities in all three dimensions. At Simply Move Chiropractic, my approach combines cutting-edge technology, evidence-based techniques, and experienced clinicians to achieve the best outcomes for my patients.

Personalization, Correction, and Patient Comfort

Using the BraceScan software coupled with a structured light scanner attached to an iPad, I can capture accurate 3D body scans of patients in any position. This technology eliminates many inaccuracies associated with traditional bracing methods and ensures that each brace is tailored to the individual’s unique spinal curvature and body posture. The ScoliBrace® is not only personalized but also corrective, employing an over-corrective approach and asymmetrical design to guide the body into an improved posture that counters the scoliosis curvature.

Comparing Traditional Bracing and ScoliBrace®

The primary difference between traditional scoliosis bracing and the ScoliBrace® lies in their underlying philosophies and methodologies. Traditional braces rely on immobilization through three-point pressure, which can be effective but does not address the curvature in a three-dimensional context. In contrast, the ScoliBrace® is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of scoliosis as a three-dimensional deformity.

By focusing on spinal coupling rather than mere immobilization, the ScoliBrace® aims for a more holistic correction of the spine Each brace is not only custom-made using 3D scanning technology and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD CAM) but also focuses on achieving specific treatment goals.

Continuing the Advantages

The braces are designed to be patient-friendly, with front opening and closing mechanisms that allow for easy wear and removal without assistance. Boston Brace has been around for 100 years and still doesn’t feature the closure in the front! Furthermore, patients can personalize their braces with a variety of unique colors and patterns, making the treatment experience more enjoyable.

A Dual Strategy: Combining Active Bracing with Active Rehab

The ScoliBrace is part of a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes the ScoliBalance program. This program teaches patients to actively correct their posture through specific exercises, essentially training them to overcorrect their curve. The goal is to stimulate and strengthen the muscles that can help correct the curvature of the spine.

The ScoliBrace enhances the active effort of the ScoliBalance exercises by applying a passive correction throughout the rest of the day. This dual approach of active exercise and active bracing offers a more holistic and potentially more effective treatment for scoliosis than traditional braces. It’s not just about preventing progression; it’s about actively working towards improvement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the evolution of scoliosis bracing from traditional methods to the innovative ScoliBrace® offers new hope and possibilities for individuals dealing with scoliosis in Charlotte, NC, and beyond. At Simply Move Chiropractic, I am proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, providing my patients with personalized, advanced, and effective scoliosis treatment options. Whether you are exploring scoliosis treatment for the first time or seeking alternative options, I invite you to reach out and learn how the ScoliBrace® and ScoliBalance might be the right choice for you. Together, we can navigate the path to improved spinal health and a better quality of life.