PEMF Pulsed Electromagnetic Stimulator

No. Shock waves are acoustic waves (sound pulses, mechanical in nature) characterized by a specific waveform that differentiates them from all others (a first phase of positive pressure followed by a rapid phase of negative pressure). Tecar therapy is instead a thermotherapy that exploits the benefits of heat, similar to laser therapy, ultrasound treatment, and infrared. While in tecar therapy heat is produced endogenously (inside the body), in other techniques, heat is exogenous (produced by external devices). Tecar therapy uses a medical device capable of causing deep diathermy, or an increase in tissue temperature; this phenomenon occurs through the induction of a high-frequency electric current, which acts directly on the body’s electrical charges.

After 3 sessions of 500 pulses each, the benefits are typically felt about 2-3 weeks after the last treatment. In some cases, there is an improvement even after the first session.

No, the treatment—which must always be performed according to codified therapeutic protocols and with appropriate equipment—is not particularly painful. For soft tissue pathologies such as tendons and ligaments, it is generally well tolerated. In some cases, if the patient feels particular discomfort, the doctor can adjust the energy intensity to ensure the treatment is better tolerated while remaining effective. For bone treatments, where higher energy levels are applied, the pain may be more intense, and local anesthesia may be necessary.

A treatment lasts about 3 minutes. A cycle consists of 3 treatments, performed once a week for 3 weeks.

Yes, they can be considered a valid alternative before resorting to surgery.

No, they are not the same. Radial shock waves operate at lower energy levels; the wave pressure does not exceed 5 bars and there is no negative pressure phase. Focal shock waves operate at higher energy levels; the wave pressure reaches 500 bars, and the pressure peak falling rapidly causes the negative phase of the wave, producing a cavitation effect. Radial shock wave treatment is longer, both in terms of session length and the number of treatments; the energy used is lower and more superficial. For this reason, it is not possible to treat all pathologies that are otherwise treated with excellent results using focal shock waves.

Yes, they can be applied in the presence of calcifications. In some cases, alongside therapeutic effects, focal shock waves succeed in disrupting calcifications in tendons or near ligaments and joints through a « dissolution » process (comparable to the action of a descaler).

We cannot use focal shock waves where structures such as the brain, spinal cord, and gonads are near the focal field. The head area should not be treated, nor should areas near hollow organs (e.g., lungs and intestines), as the passage of the sound wave from solid to gas could cause tissue damage. They are also contraindicated in cases of anatomical abnormalities, acute inflammation of the tissues to be treated, tumors, thrombophlebitis, pregnancy, the presence of a Pacemaker or other electrostimulators, coagulopathies, and growth plates (cartilage still in the growth phase).

As it is a non-invasive treatment, there are no significant side effects. However, after the application of high energy, small hematomas, petechiae, and short-lived superficial bruising may occur, as well as a temporary exacerbation of painful symptoms. This phenomenon should not be interpreted as an adverse or negative event, but rather as a possible positive response to mechanical stimulation of the tissues.