Cellulite is a cosmetic condition creating a dimpled appearance most often in the stomach, buttocks, and thighs. This is caused by collections of fat pushing against the connective tissue beneath the skin.

Both men and women can have cellulite, but it’s much more common in women. Up to 90 per cent of women have cellulite following puberty, whereas less than 10 per cent of men have it. Contributing factors include a high-fat diet, physical inactivity, smoking, drinking, pregnancy, and the postpartum period.

Shockwave Therapy for Cellulite

Several modalities have been explored to reduce cellulite, with varying degrees of success. Treatments can include:

  • Vacuum therapy
  • Lymphatic drainage
  • Deep massage
  • High-intensity ultrasound
  • Cryolipolysis
  • Subcision
  • Creams and lotions
  • And more

Shockwave therapy for cellulite has been clinically proven to be effective without the need for drugs or surgery. By delivering high-pressure acoustic waves to a targeted area over a short time, shockwave therapy promotes cavitation phenomena, forming gas bubbles in the intervened fluids, increasing cell diffusion, increased membrane permeability, and cytoskeletal lesions, which leads to adipocyte lipolysis and/or apoptosis.

Further, shockwave therapy stimulates blood flow and cellular metabolism as well as lymphatic drainage and self-regeneration processes. Shockwave therapy also improves skin elasticity because it stimulates fibroblasts, which enhances collagen and elastin production.

Combining Exercise With Shockwave Therapy for Cellulite

Because exercise develops muscle mass, increases blood flow, and burns fat, it can help improve the appearance of cellulite. And as one study shows, exercise can be combined with shockwave therapy for cellulite to maximize results.

Researchers divided 45 healthy women, aged 18-32 into two experimental groups and one control group. Group 1 performed just an aerobic exercise program while group 2 combined the exercise program with shockwave therapy. To assess the results, researchers used the Cellulite Severity Scale, height, body composition, skin temperature, and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness.

At the end of the study, researchers noted “a significant reduction in the severity of cellulite between experimental group 2 and group 1…and from group 2 to the control group.”

Maximize Results for Your Patients

If you want to use shockwave therapy for cellulite to deliver the best results to your patients, Shockwave Canada can help. We are the exclusive distributor of Storz shockwave devices, the industry’s most effective technology.

Want to learn how our machines help patients achieve better outcomes while helping practitioners become more competitive? Call 1-866-215-0635 or visit our website today.