STORZ MASTERPULS ONE
Radial Pressure Wave Therapy
The STORZ MEDICAL MASTERPULS® ONE delivers controlled acoustic pressure waves to the tissues being treated. The goal is to stimulate the body’s natural response, improve the local tissue environment, decrease pain, and help restore normal movement and function. Shock wave therapy has been used in medicine since 1980, when doctors discovered that acoustic shock waves could be used to break up kidney stones without surgery. From there, researchers began discovering that these same types of mechanical waves could have beneficial effects on living tissue. STORZ MEDICAL has been a pioneer in developing this technology for medical use since the 1980s, continually refining shock wave systems for applications including orthopedics, sports medicine and pain management.
A non-invasive treatment designed to help reduce pain, stimulate the body’s natural healing response, and help you move better. If you’ve been dealing with a stubborn tendon problem, heel pain, muscle tightness, or an injury that just doesn’t seem to be getting better, radial pressure wave therapy may be a great addition to your treatment plan.
What is radial pressure wave therapy?
The MASTERPULS ONE uses compressed air to generate mechanical pressure waves. A handheld applicator is placed against the skin, and the pressure waves are delivered into the area being treated. The mechanical stimulus can affect the nervous system and local tissues and may promote changes in circulation, metabolism, and other biological processes involved in tissue recovery.
What can it treat?
Foot & Heel Pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic heel pain
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Certain tendon-related foot and ankle problems
Elbow Pain
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Medial and lateral epicondylitis
Knee & Leg
- Patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”)
- Tibial stress syndrome / shin splints
- Certain tendon-related knee problems
Shoulder
- Calcific tendinitis
- Certain chronic tendon problems
- Soft-tissue pain around the shoulder
Muscle & Myofascial Pain
- Trigger points
- Muscle tightness
- Chronic muscular pain
- Thigh and hip muscle restrictions
- Neck and back-related myofascial pain
The benefits of pressure wave therapy
Non-invasive
Treatment is performed externally through the skin. There are no incisions or injections involved.
Drug-free
Pressure wave therapy provides a non-drug treatment option for appropriate musculoskeletal conditions.
Stimulates the tissue
The mechanical stimulus can affect local biological processes, including circulation and tissue metabolism. SSTORZ MEDICAL – The Shock Wave Company
Can help with persistent problems
It can be particularly useful as part of a treatment plan for certain chronic tendon and soft-tissue conditions.
Can be combined with other treatment
Pressure wave therapy maybe used alongside hands-on treatment, exercise, mobility work, strengthening, or other rehabilitation strategies depending on what you need.
The goal is better movement
Ultimately, we’re not treating you just so you can have a better pain score.
We’re trying to get you back to moving, exercising, working, and doing the things you enjoy.
What does the treatment feel like?
You’ll feel the handpiece against your skin and a series of rapid pulses as the pressure waves are delivered. When we’re treating an irritated tendon or a particularly sensitive area, the treatment can feel intense. Treatment settings can be adjusted to make sure we’re working at an appropriate level for you.
How Successful Is Shock Wave Therapy?
Shock wave therapy has been shown to be very effective for many common causes of chronic pain, especially problems involving tendons, muscles, and soft tissue. Many patients experience less pain and better movement after a course of treatment which varies between 6-12 sessions. It can be especially helpful for conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendon pain, Chronic knee pain, Hip pain and other stubborn injuries that haven’t responded to other treatments. Results vary from person to person, but when the treatment is appropriate, shock wave therapy can be a powerful tool to help your body heal and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shock wave therapy painful?
It can be uncomfortable, especially when treating a sensitive or irritated area. The intensity can be adjusted, and I’ll work with you throughout the treatment to keep it at an appropriate level.
How long does a treatment take?
The actual pressure-wave portion of treatment is relatively brief. Your total appointment time will depend on the condition we’re treating and whether other assessment or treatment is being performed at the same visit.
Can I go back to my normal activities afterward?
Your recommendations will depend on what we’re treating and what other treatment you’re doing. I’ll give you specific guidance based on your condition and activity level.
Is this the same as ultrasound therapy?
No. Although both treatments use energy delivered through an applicator, they work differently. The MASTERPULS ONE delivers radial acoustic pressure waves rather than therapeutic ultrasound.
Is pressure wave therapy the same as surgery?
No. Radial pressure wave therapy is a non-invasive treatment performed through the skin.
Does it work immediately?
Some people notice changes relatively quickly, while for others improvement occurs progressively. Because the treatment is intended to stimulate a biological response, results aren’t necessarily immediate.
Is Shockwave covered by insurance?
Shockwave is an elective pay modality and is not covered by insurance.
Can anyone have Shockwave treatment?
Shockwave is contraindicated for patients with malignancies, those on blood thinners and during pregnancy.