This past weekend in Boston, actually I am writing on my plane ride home, I was with a sports medicine physician and anesthesiologist, hand surgeon, chiropractors, physical therapists, PAs like myself, podiatrists, cosmetologists, about a 100 health professionals all learning about the clinical use of shockwaves (pulse sound waves focused and radial) and EMTT (pulsed electromagnetic fields) and their use in enhancing the body’s natural healing mechanisms for just about every orthopedic problem of the bones, joints, tendons and ligaments (arthritis, tendinitis, etc. ) and the use of shockwaves in erectile dysfunction and cosmetology (cellulite, dimpling, wrinkles, scars, etc.) anywhere on the body.
Shockwave therapy (also called EPAT, RSWT, FSWT) uses pulsed sound waves created either by a pneumatic “gun” with a pellet going up and down a tube pushing a tip up and down that is applied to the skin which delivers its energy closer to the surface (very good for tendons and ligaments). Or focused shockwaves created by a magnetic coil which delivers its maximum energy centimeters deep into the tissue. Good to use in deeper tissue problems and bone healing. These two modalities stimulate your body’s natural healing compounds and pathways speeding healing. While there can be significant improvement in conditions over 4-8 weeks this stimulation of natural healing through stem cells being created, new blood vessels being formed, and other growth factors continues for 10-12 weeks after your last treatment. You should “feel” this treatment as you received it. By itself or at the end of treatment the EMTT (electromagnetotransduction therapy) optimizes cell function which kind of “supercharges” the shockwave treatment. There is virtually no place in the body that you can’t stimulate healing with shockwave therapy. They even have a Neurolith device which uses focused shockwaves to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, it is not available in the United States yet.
Low frequency sound waves stimulate healing and new blood vessel formation. High frequency shock waves have been used for 30 years to destroy kidney stones. Same technology different power and frequency.
An anesthesiologist who previously uses PRP and stem cells and other injections to treat chronic pain calls this type of treatment “Interventional” Orthobiologics (substances found naturally in the body) while now he is really high on using shockwave therapy and EMTT which he calls “Non-Interventional” Orthobiologics.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment with Shock Wave
I spent time picking the brain of a traditional urologist from the Midwest whose specialty is urologic surgery, especially robotic surgery. He uses the same focused shockwave device for erectile dysfunction (ED) that I do without doing any hormonal work, nutritional supplementation, lifestyle change, penile pumps or PDE5i drugs like Cialis or Viagra. He says he gets a 70% response. That doesn’t mean perfect erections. That means he sees some type of significant IMPROVEMENT while needing less PDE5i medications and providing stronger and longer lasting erections and enhanced performance. Exactly how shockwaves work this urologist says we don’t really know though it appears to increase circulation and have some positive effect on nerve function. He will do 6-12 weekly sessions. Usually, six treatments will be done and then see if there is a response. Then continue if there is. He charges as he goes per visit (which I do) instead of packages.
I have tried both ways for payment (per visit and a package) and with both devices (radial and focused shockwave). At the beginning of the shockwave treatments. I will do an initial office visit which includes a 60-90 minute history and physical and recommend some basic lab work paid at our normal office charges. Then each ½ hr shockwave treatment will be paid for at the time of service and Irecommended 10 sessions (no package). Then we evaluate. Realizing that the shockwave stimulates a healing or biological response peaking in another 10-12 weeks after your final treatment I would not recommend any further treatments for 3-4 months and see what happens. Then we can decide what kind of maintenance or “tuneup” plan is recommended to maintain or improve erections. his will be 20 minute treatment.
My interest is the patient’s total health and their ability to perform sexually to their satisfaction. This urologist did emphasize something by this thought provoking statement. He said if a man has an erection…he is healthy! That is a sign of good vascular, hormonal and mental health… I don’t know if I agree 100% but I get his point. If erections are working your vascular, hormonal and psychological functions are working pretty well from a physiologic perspective.
If you would like to discuss my total approach to ED treatment schedule a 15 minute Free phone call. If you are ready to go schedule a 90 minute office visit with me at our regular office charges just call 916-489-4400 and set it up. After your history and physical exam I will outline a program that I believe will give you your best chance to obtain sexual satisfaction and good health at the same time. The shockwave treatments we will schedule over 10 weekly treatments and you will pay as you go.
I look forward to helping with your total and sexual health.
PS: I will share the application of shockwaves to female sexual health issues in the near future which I saw at this conference… Maybe some cosmetic uses as well!
Happy to talk to you about your situation. Call 916-489-4400 and ask for Kirk Hamilton PA-C
Kirk Hamilton PA-C
Health Associates Medical Group
3301 Alta Arden, Suite 3
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 489-4400 (w)
krhammer@surewest.net
www.KwikerMedical.com
www.HealthyLivingforBusypeople.com
www.StayingHealthyToday.com