Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to treat various musculoskeletal conditions to relieve pain and initiate tissue healing. The therapy consists in applying acoustic waves to the affected area, stimulating the healing process, and reducing pain through the formation of blood vessels and collagen, and reversal of inflammation. The treatment has shown efficacy in the management of conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, among others.

The indication for treatment varies from patient to patient, as well as the exact number of sessions required. There are factors that influence this such as:

1. The severity of the musculoskeletal condition with which the patient is received, mild or early-stage conditions may require fewer sessions compared to chronic or severe cases.
2. The individual response to therapy, as some people may experience significant pain relief and improved functionality after just a few sessions, while others may require additional treatments for optimal results.
3. Patient-related factors such as age, gender, general health, lifestyle, and adherence to post-treatment recommendations may affect the number of sessions required.
4. In some cases where the patient is receiving another treatment or therapy (such as physiotherapy or medications) it can influence the number of necessary sessions.

Although the treatment protocol used is personalized, usually the total number of sessions can vary from 3 to 6, depending on the condition and response of the patient. It is crucial to consult with a qualified medical professional experienced in this therapy to determine the optimal number of sessions for your specific condition, who through a medical evaluation and medical history will be able to determine the best plan for you.

Prolotherapy, also known as regenerative therapy, has long been a non-surgical treatment alternative for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Chronic musculoskeletal pain can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. Previously, surgery was the only considered treatment option for patients with persistent pain. However, surgery carries more risks, costs, and a long recovery period.

involves the injection of an irritant solution, usually consisting of dextrose, into the affected ligaments, tendons, or joints. The solution stimulates an inflammatory response in damaged tissues that leads to an increase in growth factors and cytokines. These substances stimulate cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and blood vessel formation, facilitating the repair and strengthening of injured tissues.

By stimulating tissue repair, prolotherapy aims to reduce pain and improve joint stability and mobility. Improving the quality of life of the patient.

Some indications for prolotherapy are:

• Ligament and tendon injuries
• Joint instability
• Osteoarthritis
• Chronic low back pain
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Tennis elbow
• Plantar fasciitis

It is also important to mention that prolotherapy only requires local anesthesia and is generally not painful. A significant improvement of up to 85%% is reported in most patients.

Prolotherapy offers a non-invasive treatment option for patients who wish to avoid surgery or who cannot undergo surgery due to a medical condition.

After the procedure a minimum rest time is required.

However, the individual characteristics of the patient must be considered before indicating this therapy and it must always be indicated and performed by a doctor specialized in these treatments.

Medical school lasts approximately 4 to 7 years (depending on the country), after which doctors have the option of continuing their studies by studying a medical specialty, which consists of different branches and completion time. However, many people may still have doubts about the work of each specialist and their differences. An example of this is the confusion between an orthopedic traumatologist and a sports medicine doctor.

Let’s start by explaining each one separately. Traumatology and orthopedics fall within the surgical specialties and focuse on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system such as congenital diseases, fractures, dislocations, degenerative injuries, among others. Their treatments can be pharmacological, with orthopedic devices, or surgical (arthroscopy, reconstruction, amputations, fixations, etc.).

Sports medicine, as its name suggests, specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused during physical activity and sports practice. They also have extensive knowledge of the metabolism of athletes and the effects of exercise on the body. One of its main functions is to provide athletes with comprehensive and continuous care to increase their performance and efficiency within their sport, and as mentioned above, to prevent any type of injury. The most common causes of consults are tendinopathies, tears, sprains, and joint injuries; however, the sports doctor also sees athlete pathologies such as heart disorders, altitude sickness, jetlag, over training, muscle imbalances, ergogenic foot changes among so many other things.

These differences in many cases complement each other, for example, an athlete with a fracture that requires surgery or a patient seeking alternative and less invasive therapies.

If you are an athlete and have suffered an injury, it is best to go to a sports medicine doctor for a personalized examination based on the sport you practice for a prompt and effective recovery, maintaining your sports performance.

Many athletes focus on their training, strict diets, and supplements to maintain their physical conditioning and performance. However, rest often goes unnoticed, which is also an integral part of training. Rest is important as it helps the body recover and adapt to exercise.

During physical activity, there’s muscle damage and inflammation, which triggers a cascade of biochemical processes for its repair and growth. Without adequate rest, the muscle will continue to be under tension, accumulating damage, pain, and fatigue. Which will cause a decrease in performance and development in training.

Other benefits of rest in athletes are the reserve of energy and both physical and mental recovery. When exercising, mainly during exhaustive exercise, the energy reserves of our body that we obtain from our food (including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) are depleted. Being able to take a break and continuing proper nutrition can replenish energy for the next workout.

In the case of mental recovery, athletes often experience different levels of pressure and stress, which can affect their mental health, mood, and performance. Rest will help reduce stress and promote relaxation. This can improve performance in training and between competitions.

Athletes must prioritize rest and integrate it into their training programs as something essential, as mentioned above, it is a critical component for muscular development that can maximize their potential, avoid injuries, and achieve optimal sports performance. It is also crucial to mention that rest does not mean inactivity, you can rest doing an active recovery with low intensity exercises and stretching, which helps with recovery and with muscle pain.

Just as it is important to follow the exercise routine of an expert, when integrating rest breaks into the training program of any athlete, a specialist such as a sports medicine doctor should be consulted to maintain comprehensive and personalized care, since it is essential to know and take individual needs into account for the rest plan. There will be athletes who need less rest than others, or their rest intervals will depend on the intensity of the training, previous injuries, age, among others. The most important thing is that adequate rest periods are taken for a safe recovery and to maintain sports performance.

Vitamin C is a vitamin known for its important role in our immune system and the prevention of scurvy (disease caused by deficiency of this vitamin). It is an antioxidant vitamin that also helps prevent cell damage and is found in foods like oranges, kiwis, and bell peppers. It has also been used within modern treatments and therapies such as intravenous therapies to treat different conditions. Intravenous therapy, also called IV therapy, involves the administration of fluids, medications, vitamins, or minerals directly into the bloodstream. Much has been said about intravenous vitamin C (IVC) therapy, so we will mention its most common uses, myths, and benefits.

Uses for intravenous vitamin C have been added in a variety of medical conditions, including viral infections to reduce the severity of symptoms and boost the immune system. It has been used as part of adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy and radiation in cancer patients. It has also been used in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to reduce symptoms, and studies have been carried out on its use in cases of sepsis due to its antioxidant effect that can mitigate tissue damage.

Despite its benefits, uses, and studies, there are also many myths surrounding this therapy. One of the most common myths is that vitamin C can cure cancer. Although some studies have shown its efficacy to use together with chemotherapy (as we mentioned above), it is not a cure, nor should it be the only treatment applied for that diagnosis. Another myth is that intravenous vitamin c can prevent COVID-19 or other infections. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system, but there is no evidence that it can prevent it. Vitamin C may reduce the risk of getting sick, it helps with the severity and duration of symptoms, but it is also not a cure for the common cold.

Benefits of intravenous vitamin C

Despite the myths, the benefits of vitamin C outweigh them. The most common benefits are:

• Improving the appearance of the skin due to its antioxidant properties and its role in the production of collagen.
• Helping increase the absorption of iron in our body, reducing the risk of anemia.
• Increasing the healing process by helping to repair tissue and reducing inflammation damage.
• Strengthening the immune system by increasing the level of white blood cells.
• Reducing fatigue and depression by regulating neurotransmitters and protecting from oxidative stress.

Although we have mentioned its uses and benefits, it is essential to consult a doctor before administering any therapy. In this case it is important to see a physician to make sure that the Vitamin C therapy is adequate, also depending on the reason, he will determine the dose and the number of sessions necessary for each patient. Finally, you should also go to a clinic specialized in this treatment or if it is a home consultation, it should always be applied by health personnel in case of any adverse effect.