Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2012 – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders
The focused sound waves seen with ACT treatment is “uni-phasic with the peak pressure as high as 500 bars. In essence, the peak pressure of shockwave is approximately 1,000 times that of ultrasound wave”. The therapy causes microscopic changes to the tissue that results in tissue regeneration. This study highlights good results for patients with plantar fasciitis, epicondylitis, and other tendinopathies.
Sports Medicine Arthroscopy Rehabilitation Therapy and Technology 2010 – Mechanics Rule Cell Biology
This study confirms that mechanical or physical forces cause physiologic change to the tissue of the body. These changes are a key part of the healing process causing: alterations to cell proliferation, gene expression, and protein production. As a compression therapy, ACT utilizes these same to cellular processes to cause healing in the body.
Cellular Tissue Research 2011 – Extracorporeal Shockwave Induced Expression of Lubricin in Tendons and Septa
ACT has been shown to increase the production of a protein called Lubricin which has anti-adhesion properties. This is one of the proposed mechanisms for reduced pain and increased range of motion which occurs with ACT treatment. The best effects were seen in the tendons near the boney insertion due to the principles of acoustic impedance.
Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association 2011 – Treatment of Post-Traumatic Myositis Ossificans of the anterior thigh with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
This case study illustrates the successful conservative management of post-traumatic myositis ossificans of the anterior thigh with acoustic compression therapy and a primarily unsupervised graded exercise program within a condensed treatment time frame of 2 weeks.