Specifically, shockwave therapy is based on using high energy acoustic (pressure) waves that are focused onto the targeted issue. Shockwave therapy has been proven to reduce pain and promote healing by quickly and painlessly delivering waves or pulses through the body to the desired treatment area.
Shockwave therapy is one of the most exciting therapies to become available to veterinary medicine in quite some time. It is extremely important to have an accurate diagnosis and a clearly defined area of injury in order to direct the shockwave to the appropriate area. It has been used successfully to treat horses with acute and chronic soft tissue injuries, bone and joint disease and back pain. Shockwave therapy has been shown to increase the formation of small blood vessels and to increase certain growth factors in targeted tissues.
There are multiple ways to generate a shockwave. The pressure wave can be instituted by vaporization of fluid across a spark gap (electrohydraulic), expansion of piezoelectric crystals (piezoelectric) or pushing a membrane with opposite electrical current (electromagnetic). In all three mechanisms, the pressure wave is brought to a focal point by lenses or a parabolic reflector. This mechanism allows the energy in the wave to aim at a specific point within the tissue.
- Back muscles
- Back problems including “Kissing Spines”
- Joint conditions
- Ligament Injury such as suspensory desmitis
- Splint Bone: fractures and perostitis
- Stress fractures
- Tendonitis
The shockwaves used in equine medicine are generated in a fluid medium inside a transducer head and are then transmitted readily through skin, fat and muscle. The high energy shockwaves are focused within the transducer head so that the shockwave can be directed to the precise area of the injury. When shockwaves hit an area of higher acoustic impedance, such as bone, the waves slow dramatically and a large amount of energy is released into the surrounding tissue.
Often the treatment is done under a light sedation with the horse standing and takes 10 to 15 minutes. With most conditions, Connecticut Equine Clinic recommends repeating the treatment every 2 weeks for a total of 3 to 4 treatments.
Connecticut Equine Clinic is proud to offer equine shockwave therapy, a non-invasive treatment that can speed the healing of many types of orthopedic and soft tissue injuries and conditions. For the best equine veterinary care in the region, contact Connecticut Equine Clinic at (860) 742-1580, conveniently located in Amston, Connecticut.
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