Strokes are the third leading cause of death in Canada. Sadly, for those who survive, their years are often cut short due to complications and/or severely impacted due to associated disability.

Spasticity, especially of the upper limbs, is a particularly common complication of strokes. About 25 to 43% of survivors will have spasticity in the first year after their stroke. Between 2-13% of these patients will experience severe disability due to spasticity.

For those who suffer from this complication, there is hope. New research suggests shockwave therapy devices are an effective tool for treatment of this condition.

Shockwave therapy devices accelerate the healing process in the body by stimulating the metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to regenerate damaged tissue.

Strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing.

There are many benefits of using shockwave therapy for patients with post-stroke spasticity. Some of these include:

  • Non-invasive, non-surgical treatment
  • No side effects
  • Accelerates healing
  • Can be used by all healthcare professionals
  • Coverage available from most insurance companies

Shockwave Therapy Devices for the Treatment of Post-Stroke Spasticity

There are several mechanisms at play when it comes to treating post-stroke spasticity with shockwave therapy. These include:

Shockwave therapy induced nitric oxide synthesis:

Nitric oxide is a non-classical neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger molecule in humans. Nitrous oxide is involved in neuromuscular junction formation, as well as important physiological functions of the central nervous system. This includes the transmission, storage, and synapse-related functions of information in the nervous system. It is thought that extracorporeal shockwave therapy can induce nitrous oxide production through enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways, reduce acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, and consequently relieve muscle spasms.

Shockwave therapy reduces motor neuron excitability:

Hyperexcitable motor neurons are thought to contribute to muscle hypertonia after a stroke injury. Muscle hypertonia means there is too much tone in muscles, and the associated limbs often become stiff, resulting in a loss of mobility. In this case, extracorporeal shockwave therapy can reduce motor neuron excitability, thereby reducing muscle tension.

Conclusion

Post-stroke spasticity is a common, potentially debilitating health condition. It can even lead to complications, such as ankylosis and, of course, movement restriction. Traditional therapies include physical therapy, drug therapy, and surgery. For more severe cases that do not respond to physical therapy, shockwave therapy is an effective alternative that boasts several advantages. This modality offers a safe, effective, non-invasive, low-cost solution for those suffering from post-stroke spasticity.

Shockwave Canada offers a range of shockwave therapy devices to suit your needs. Built with the practitioner in mind, these ergonomic machines will help not just your patients who suffer from post-stroke spasticity, but those who suffer from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. To learn more about this, please visit www.shockwavecanada.com.