Shockwave Therapy

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 SELECTION

From all published clinical studies on Musculoskeletal Shockwave Therapy, we notice there are supporters in every shockwave generating technology.

In chronic musculoskeletal pathologies, statistics has revealed a healing rate of 80~90% with High Energy Shockwave; and 70~80% with Low Energy Shockwave. It is statistically true that High Energy Shockwave is more effective than "Low Energy Shockwave". However, does this 15% statistical difference really meaningful in daily practice? We leave the answer to clinical practitioners. Another consideration is, the focal area of focused type shockwave can be as small as 3 x 3 mm, practitioners and patients are taking risk of mistarget and over-dosage while seeking for faster and better treatment.

Some institutions like Institute for Sports Medicine Frankfurt changed from using High Energy Shockwave" to "Low Energy Shockwave". (Reference Book: EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY, CLINICAL RESULTS, TECHNOLOGIES, BASICS)

Practitioner's knowledge and skill on particular modality are key factors to determine the effect of a treatment; as a therapeutic device is just a tool after all.

Since preference and need may be different between one and the other, potential buyers are recommended to consider the following factors rather than counting on studies and opinions of other users : 

Major Injuries Group


It is a common conception that High Energy Shockwave is better than Low Energy Shockwave because of deeper penetration of shockwave energy. In fact, most musculoskeletal pathologies are seated within depth of 3~4 cm from skin, the latest Low Energy Shockwave Technology is capable of dealing these pathologies as its effective penetration can reached down to 6 cm depth.

Like driving a car up to a peak, an expensive high performance sports car can reach the peak faster than a economic saloon. However, it requires good skill to handle a sports car or otherwise accident may occurs. The question is whether it is necessary to reach the peak at shortest time? In Musculoskeletal Shockwave Therapy, High Energy Shockwave is perhaps better and faster than Low Energy Shockwave in treating stubborn and chronic condition. The potential risk in administering High Energy Shockwave would be mistargeting and over-dosage.

Low Energy Shockwave is also low risk; however, it cannot treat non-healing fracture, Osteonecrosis and non-healing wound.

However, there are various transmitters (commonly referred as treatment heads) in Low Energy Shockwave which can cover wide range of application. In specific application such as relieving myofascial pain and acupuncture point stimulation, Low Energy Shockwave is better than High Energy Shockwave in clinical experience.

There are both advantages and disadvantages in every shockwave technology, potential buyer should consider which applications would be mostly used.


Financial Capability of Clients

All shockwave generating source will deteriorate and require regular revision/maintenance. It means there is a operating cost in administration of shockwave therapy. It explains why Shockwave Treatment is usually a service at additional fee in private practice. The operating cost of one session of High Energy Shockwave Treatment is between HK$50.00 and HK$200.00 depending on the devices. One Shockwave Treatment Course will require 4 to 8 treatments. Is the patient group of the service provider, willing to pay for the additional treatment fee especially those who are not covered by insurance?

The operating cost of Low Energy Shockwave is much more economic, in between HK$15.00 and HK$20.00 per treatment.

Budget of Investment
 
The High Energy Shockwave System for Physiotherapy are between HK$300,000.00 and HK$600,000.00.

The market prices of Low Energy Shockwave System are in range of HK$100,000.00 and HK$200,000.00.


Procedure of Shockwave Source Revision

As mentioned, there is a life span in all type of shockwave source no matter high or low energy type. The length of life span varies among different technologies; some of them requires replacement of whole shockwave applicator; some require only exchanging of certain components; some requires to return the whole applicator to overseas factories for revision; some devices allow revision to be done on site. This procedure should be taken into consideration before committing a purchase because if the life span of an applicator expires and cannot be replaced on time, the Shockwave Therapy service would be interrupted.


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