Regenerative Treatments

What is Acoustic Compression Therapy (ACT)?

Focused sound waves for management of acute and chronic pain in muscles, tendons and joints.

Is it Safe? Very. Serious side effects have never been reported from using Acoustic Compression. This therapy does not interfere with prosthetics, implants or pacemakers and does no harm to the tissue it treats. Side effects are rare and generally minor, and transient when they do occur, consisting of mild fatigue or soreness and swelling, lasting no longer than a few days after treatment.

Acoustic Compression Therapy (ACT) has been successful treating:

  • Arthritis Pain
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Heel Spur
  • Knee Pain
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Sprains/ Strains
  • Shin Splints
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Hip Pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • TMJ Dysfunction
  • Achille’s Tendonitis
  • Torn Ligaments

FAQ

How is Acoustic Compression Therapy (ACT) different from Extra-corporeal Shock Wave Therapy?

Acoustic Compression and Extra-corporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) are different terms for the same thing. Extra-corporeal Shock Wave Therapy is simply a more technical way of referring to the technology, and is often used in scientiϐic research and papers. We prefer the term Acoustic Compression as we feel it describes the therapy better, stating that the therapy uses a compressed sound wave rather
than an electrical or shock pulse. Also, it’s quite a bit easier to say!

What evidence is there that Acoustic Compression works?

Acoustic Compression therapy is supported by thousands of peer-reviewed scientific journal articles describing its usefulness and safety in
addressing a wide array of issues. It is generally referred to as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, or ESWT, in such literature (similar, but not identical, to Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy – which is using sound waves to break up kidney stones) – just be sure to be speciϐic in your searches.

Can I exercise/use the area right after Acoustic Compression?

Yes, using Acoustic Compression generally does not contraindicate any activity or exercise you’re already used to doing. However, ACT often makes an area feel much less painful for a few days following treatment, even when systemic healing is not yet complete. As such, care must be taken to not overstress the area by doing more with it than you did before treatment – even if it feels like you can! The few cases we have seen where an area became signiϐicantly aggravated after Acoustic Compression were likely due to such overuse.

Using technology to improve patient outcomes

What to Expect During your Treatment

  • Short appointment times of 10-20 minutes.
  • This therapy is applied directly onto the skin: loose-fitting clothing is best. Scrubs will be provided, if needed.
  • A thin coat of ultrasound gel will be applied to the skin to conduct the sound waves. This is removed at the end of treatment.
  • The treatment starts at a speciϐic intensity for the problem area and may be increased or decreased according to the patient’s tolerance. Treatment can be uncomfortable at times, however, discomfort is diagnostic and helpful.
  • The frequency and quantity of the sessions are doctor-directed. Normally one to two treatments per week are performed for a total of six in a month. Typically, patients see great outcomes and lasting improvement in 6 to 12 sessions. Additional improvement may be realized, due to continued stem cell activity, three months post treatment. Often, however, change is very rapid once it begins!

How it Works

ACT remodels tissue with focused sound waves

  • New Blood Vessel Formation – Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue. The application of acoustic waves creates capillary formations in tendon and bone.
  • Reversal of Chronic Inϐlammation – Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be
    increased by using focused acoustic waves.
  • Stimulation of Collagen Production – The production of a signiϐicant amount of collagen is necessary for the repair processes of the
    musculoskeletal system. Focused sound waves accelerate procollagen synthesis.
  • Dissolution of Calciϐied Fibroblasts – Calcium build-up is most often the result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon.
    Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications.
  • Dispersion of Pain Mediator “Substance P” – Substance P is a neurotransmitter that mediates pain information through the C-ϐibers. This neuropeptide is generally associated with intense, persistent and chronic pain.
  • Release of Trigger Points – Trigger points are the principle cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulders and limbs. Delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myoϐilaments and releases the trigger points.