Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a non-surgical and minimally invasive treatment within regenerative medicine, which through acoustic or sound waves, has a therapeutic effect on injured tissues. It consists of sending these rapid impulses from the outside of the body where an injury is to relieve pain and repair soft tissues. There are two types of therapy, the focal ones that send the waves to a more limited area, but with greater depth, and the radial ones that send the waves to a wider area and the effect is more superficial.

This therapy is indicated in various pathologies and injuries, the most common are:

• Chronic tendinopathies
• Plantar fasciitis
• Muscle calcifications
• Lateral epicondylitis
• Painful shoulder
• Calcaneal spur
• Stress fracture

It is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis and identification of the painful area. Usually both are performed in consult by a physical examination and ultrasound. Once the area to be treated is located, gel is applied to help the waves applicator to transmit them in a fluid way. Once the treatment is completed, it acts by creating capillary microruptures, activating an inflammatory response, increasing collagen production, and destroying calcifications. Therefore, it encompasses great medical benefits for the patient, some of which are pain relief and tissue repair, as well as the increase in new blood vessels, dispersion of pain mediators, and improvement of the healing process.

At Olympia we care about your health, providing quality medical care and different innovative therapy options. Being a non-invasive and easy-to-use treatment, it can be performed in almost all patients. It is also a great alternative to surgical treatments for certain diagnoses. The number of sessions will depend on the pathology and its severity, but a usual treatment is from 6 to 10 sessions, which are spaced in one session per week. If you have chronic pain or a musculoskeletal injury, come in for an assessment with our sports medicine doctor.

Health according to the WHO is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. In athletes, the pillars for maintaining their health include a balanced diet, their physical activity and training, rest, and even their mental health (sports psychology). This benefits the entire development of athletes for performance, injury prevention, and mood.

In health care there is something called a “check-up” or clinical examination that usually includes a complete physical exam and laboratory tests to evaluate the patient’s condition and prevent diseases. There are different types of check-ups, the basic one, the advanced one that includes more diagnostic tests depending on the patient’s gender and age, the pediatric one, check-ups by medical specialty, such as the gynecological one, and finally the sports-medical check-up.

A sports medical check-up is like the one mentioned above, however, the examination and tests are directed towards the sport that the person already practices or the sport that they want to start doing. The importance of this check-up is to determine whether the exercise is safe for the patient before beginning physical activity. In some countries like the United States, this is mandatory, even for young athletes and children to be able to participate in a sport.

The check-up can usually include a consult with the sports medicine doctor, blood tests, imaging tests, a stress test or electrocardiogram, a footprint analysis, and a nutritional assessment. This helps prevent injuries, complications, and illness. It also keeps the athlete in balance between his physical and mental health. Not to mention, they get a trusted medical specialist who can guide them through their progress.

During the end of the year there are more resting days and vacations, even for athletes. Therefore, it is essential to start the year with a sports medical check-up to ensure that you are in adequate physical condition to carry out rigorous exercise.

If it is your first time doing a sport or you are an athlete who is returning to the routine, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment, Olympia has everything you need for your complete and comprehensive care.