Many seniors, government agencies, and healthcare professionals are looking to provide more innovative senior care using technology. Therapeutic technology that addresses mobility and rehabilitation can improve seniors’ quality of life while helping them remain in their own homes and communities longer.

Shockwave therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive solution that can treat many age-related medical conditions. By delivering acoustic pressure waves to a targeted area, shockwave therapy enhances metabolism and blood flow to stimulate cells responsible for healing bone and connective tissue.

Here are a few applications.

Arthritis

Approximately half of seniors over the age of 65 have arthritis. A study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science measured the effectiveness of treating patients with degenerative knee arthritis using shockwave therapy.

Researchers split twenty patients into two groups. One group received only conservative physical therapy, while the second group received shockwave therapy in addition to physical therapy. Researchers noted that while both groups improved from baseline, the shockwave group experienced significantly better results.

Shockwave therapy can thus help seniors in daily activities like standing, walking, and descending stairs.

Diabetes

It is estimated that about a third of seniors have diabetes. Unregulated blood sugar levels can affect collagen, leading to an increased risk of developing conditions like frozen shoulder. The pain and stiffness associated with frozen shoulder make it difficult or impossible to move the joint, seriously impacting quality of life.

A randomized clinical trial treated a group of patients with frozen shoulder using shockwave therapy and compared it to a control group that received sham treatment. Researchers noted the shockwave group made significant improvements in their levels of pain, flexion, extension, and external rotation.

Tendinopathy

Research shows that the material between tendon fibre bundles stiffens as it ages, making seniors more susceptible to tendon injuries. For instance, the Achilles tendon in particular can become weakened from preconditions such as arthritis or diabetes. An Achilles tendon injury can seriously impact mobility and walking.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the effectiveness of supplementing conservative treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy with shockwave therapy. Researchers split a group of 48 patients into two groups. In addition to conservative treatment, one group received shockwave therapy while the other received a sham treatment.

The control group went from an American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score of 74 at baseline to 81 by the end of the trial. The shockwave group improved from an average score of 70 at baseline to 88. Based on this difference in scores, the researchers concluded shockwave therapy to be a valuable supplement to treating chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Innovative Senior Care With Shockwave Therapy

Many healthcare practitioners who work with seniors make house calls. The MASTERPULS® ONE is ideal because it’s lightweight, easy to use, and completely portable. Now you can treat your patients wherever they’re most comfortable.

To learn more about integrating shockwave therapy into your practice, call 1 (888) 741-SHOC(7462) or visit our website.