Shockwave Therapy

I worked in health care for 43 years and never had an injury. Not a single one, but I guess my good luck has run out. Not sure what happened with my shoulder, I want to say it crept up on me. Over the course of the last couple of months it went from discomfort to disrupting my sleep. Yes, disrupting sleep that was already disrupted. I had a discussion with a friend about my shoulder. She said, "have you considered physio?". I assured her physio was not on my list of things to do when I have an injury. There are a variety of reasons for this decision, the main one is physio isn't a quick fix. Physios also give homework assignment in the form of exercises, which I am very consistent in not doing. Lastly, it is a process, often longer than I want. Physio is interactive, and I just want someone else to make it better. In other words, just fix it for me with the least amount of effort on my part. 

Someone close to me shared her story of how shockwave therapy helped her get relief from a frozen shoulder in just 2 treatments. I was all in with the story, because I had never heard of such a therapy and 2 treatments sounded like a quick fix to me. There is only one place in Brandon that offers shockwave, and it is done by a physio therapist. Here is another perfect example of what I say and what I do are two different things. The appointment was made.

I found the theory behind the treatment exactly what I wanted. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment. A series of low energy acoustic wave pulsations are directly applied to the affected area. I felt it would work for me because it is used in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions primarily involving connective tissues. It is often used for conditions that aren't responding to traditional forms of treatment. Tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff, plantar fasciitis and jumper's knee are conditions that shockwave can help. I have since found out someone had the treatment to remove scar tissue. 

The clinic has rules in that I had to have an assessment by a physio to make sure I was a candidate for the therapy. I met my physio, "D" and I instantly liked him. He agreed with my diagnosis that there was no tear and probably was caused by repetitive movement. He gave me two take home exercises. He felt that was enough, because, he said, "I was already fit". That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I thought surely, I can remember to do 2 exercises, twice a day, just for "D". Now that the assessment and the homework assignment was given, it was time for the shockwave. He rolled in the machine which looked like an ultrasound machine only with a gun-like apparatus. He picked the knotted-up area on my shoulder and held the gun there for 2,000 pulsations in about 2 minutes. I want to describe the experience like a "tens" machine on steroids. It was intense but tolerable. Even though I made 2 follow-up appointments I knew I wouldn't need them. This was going to work.

The treatment was on a Monday and on Tuesday my thought was, "what the hell have I done". There was no way I could get comfortable. I feel I am pretty tough, but I couldn't for the life of me find a pain free spot. Pain is exhausting and I just wanted to lay on the heating pad, and I craved sleep. This went on until 7pm, and then it was like the clouds opened up and the intense pain went away. It was still there but only with certain movements. I knew with these types of therapies it takes 24 hours or better for the body to adjust and begin the healing process, I was on my way.  

I wasn't as cured as I had hoped, and I had to go to the second appointment. I was proud to tell "D" how I had done my exercises, and he added 2 more. He would give the best demonstration of how to do the simple exercise. I would study intensely. Then it was my turn. What I did was not even similar to what he had just demonstrated. How can that happen in just a few seconds I am making up what I think he did. I felt it was time to share my line, "I don't follow instructions very well". I am pretty sure he had figured that out. This time he wrote out all of the exercises, and I even got a piece of equipment. I was delighted to know, that the new exercises are only to be done every other day. Perfect, that is how often I usually remember to do them anyway. 

Up next was the shockwave. This time "D" put the gun right on the shoulder joint. I have to admit; I was really glad to see the "2000" hit on the machine and it cut out. Clearly, he had hit the area of issue. 

Treatment two has worked. I have minimal discomfort, and I am doing my exercises like directed. I am sharing this story because there are so many people out there that have tried everything and need something to help them heal. I know from doing alternatives that if you can get anything to start to work at the cellular level, you will get better. 

In my Mom's community, they have a someone who comes and offers Equiscope treatments. It is also a non-invasive therapy. I understand it is a comfortable treatment, done by using small plates or probes on the skin. The machine delivers a highly advanced and targeted form of microcurrent to affected areas of the body. It also supports the body at the cellular and neurological level. What most people are finding is pain relief after the treatment. It has other benefits such as it accelerates recovery, improves circulation, detoxification and more. Equiscope is known to be the fastest, most effective microcurrent therapy available today. 

I love anything and anyone, that will bring relief of suffering. Someone that is high on my list of helping others is my good friend that has a thriving reflexology business. In my world she is an expert in her field and in life. She has several clients that come to her that are currently receiving chemo. They are finding that reflexology helps to ease the side effects of their chemo treatments. I am not sure of the actual process, but I think it goes something like this. The client has reflexology a week after their chemo treatment, this allows the chemo time to be effective. Reflexology promotes healing and balance; it also aids in removing toxins from the body. What an incredible service my friend is providing to people at such a difficult time of their lives.  

My cousin told me, "A physiotherapist can heal anything as long as you do the exercises". Those words spoke to me, and I am so much more diligent with my exercises. In closing, if you are suffering, keep reaching out, listening to others and trying new things. If one thing doesn't work for you, find something else that does, "don't suffer".