Between each vertebra are 3 connection points. There is the disc in the front (this is why when people have disc problemsthey have more symptoms bending forward) and there are two joints in the back. These are called the facet joints. When someone has facet joint pain they usually hurt when they arch their spine. Facet joint pain accounts for ⅓ of chronic low back pain.
SOME SYMPTOMS OF FACET JOINT PAIN
Pain when leaning backward
Buttock pain
Leg pain to the knee
Pain standing for periods
Pain sitting
Facet arthritis on x-ray
Low back muscle spasms
With EASWT sound waves are focused in and around the facet joints. The sound waves break up adhesions, bring blood into the area and help the joint cartilage to regenerate. This has been shown in controlled settings and outcomes are excellent after 3 treatments.
When comparing EASWT to steroid injections for facet joint pain, EASWT showed better long-term results without the high cost and damaging side effects of injecting corticosteroids into the facet joints.
Another medical treatment for facet joint pain is a medial nerve branch block called radiofrequency neurotomy (RMBN). Here, the nerves are, literally, killed. This lasts for 1 to 2 years until the nerve grows back . EASWT, coupled with proper spinal rehab, is a better option as it helps fix the problem rather than just getting rid of the symptom to wake up with a bigger problem down the road. ESWT will help with some desensitization of the pain but that is just the beginning. EASWT is approved as a noninvasive way to help regenerate tissue.
We are now moving into a new phase in healthcare toward regenerative medicine and away from cutting out parts and tissues of the body. ESWT also plays a role as desensitization of the painful facet joints. Acoustic Wave Therapy (EASWT) can be nowadays approved as an effective, safe, noninvasive therapy for many musculoskeletal diseases and many conditions where regenerative effects are desirable. It is the novel therapy for applications in the fields of regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and cell therapies.
HOW DOES EXTRACORPOREAL ACOUSTIC SOFT WAVES AFFECT YOUR TISSUES:
Increased permeability of the cell membranes of the tissue
Increased circulation and metabolism of the cells
Breaking up of scar tissue (even within the facet joints)
Healing of collagen fibers by fibroblast stimulation
We are thrilled to say that with EASWT and the extensive set of tools be have to help facet joint pain, you are likely to have the healing you are looking for in our office. SACROILIAC JOINT PAIN AND EASWTBefore reading sacroiliac (SI) joint pain please read the information on facet joint pain as there is some crossover information. Your sacroiliac joints are formed by the connection between the sacrum (the triangular shaped bone at the base of your spine) and your iliac bones (some would call them your hips). So, the sacroiliac joints connect your pelvis to your spine. There isn’t much movement in the SI joints but when they get locked up there can be pain and accelerated degeneration. Because your SI joints support the entire weight of your torso, they tend to get worn cartilage and arthritic.
Usually, when there is SI joint dysfunction, it is a problem with too little movement rather than too much movement. When SI joints become fixated they are more likely to hurt. In general, movement feels good in the human body. When a baby is crying you rock it, when you hit your hand with a hammer you shake it and when you want to soothe yourself you use a massage chair. We love movement and that goes for your SI joints as well. Our Acoustic wave therapy has focused sound waves that can go into the SI joints, break up scar tissue, bring nutrients via blood into the SI joints and help regenerate the collagen fibers within the joints. Chiropractic is phenomenal for putting movement into the SI joints. However, if the joints are dried up and arthritic, they will lock up again.
Necessary for any tissue repair process is the production of collagen. EASWT advances procollagen synthesis and the new fibers have a better structure and denser and stiff. So, we get more lubrication in the SI joint and more stability from the ligaments outside the SI joint. Add to that an active muscular system and you have a sacroiliac joint complex that is ready to sit, stand, jump and dance for years to come. Let us share this wonderful technology with you.
