We always want to believe that there is a unique treatment method that will save us from health problems in a matter of times. Shock wave therapy, of course, is not a 100% cure for all diseases, but it is successfully used to treat the musculoskeletal system and more.
The reviews are so good that they make you think about urgently running to the clinic and standing in line for the wonderful “pills.” To the question of what is treated with shock wave therapy, one can answer – not everything, but a lot.
The essence of the procedure
Initially, the therapy was developed for the treatment of kidney diseases, joints, and sports injuries; the method also allows you to get rid of heel spurs. The technique shows effectiveness in healing fractures and treating arthritis. Over the past ten years, the procedure has been actively used in cosmetology for cellulite.
The essence of the technique is the use of a shock wave, elusive to the human ear, which is not noticeable to the human ear in the same way as ultrasound. The mechanism affects the structure of fat cells, thereby providing a massage effect. The therapy allows for the destruction of the adipocyte membrane, as a result of which subcutaneous fat is transformed into a molten mass.
Cells are removed from tissues naturally through internal organs, the circulatory and lymphatic systems. The influence is carried out in this case from the inside. The therapy involves local and targeted effects; only the selected area is treated.
The procedure is carried out in a medical office under sterile conditions; there is no need for preliminary preparation.
The results of therapy last longer if you follow a diet and exercise. After treatment, traces of cellulite and stretch marks, the formation of which is accompanied by cellulite, disappear.
The mechanism of cellulite development
Gynoid lipodystrophy is a phenomenon in which cellular metabolism in the subcutaneous fat layer slows down, blood microcirculation and lymph outflow are disrupted, and adipose tissue “stagnates.” This condition leads to its degeneration, that is, the loss of nutrients and degradation of fat cells and/or the accumulation of substances unusual for it in the tissue. Dystrophy from ancient Greek is literally translated as a nutritional disorder; accordingly, lipodystrophy is a nutritional disorder of the subcutaneous fat layer that occurs against the background of pathological changes in cellular (structural and functional self-regulation of the cell) and extracellular (lymphatic drainage and blood supply) mechanisms.
White and brown cells of adipose tissue - adipocytes - perform the function of storing fat in the form of small or large drops of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Normally, the subcutaneous tissue contains a large number of small adipocytes (up to 0.5 mm in size), which cluster into “colonies” surrounded by collagen and reticular (connective) tissue. During pathological processes, adipocytes increase up to 1 millimeter.
The pathology of lipid-fat metabolism is associated with the fact that adipocytes, in addition to lipids, release a number of hormones into the blood: adiponectin, resistin and leptin - the so-called hubbub of happiness. Transported through the blood channels to the nerve centers of the brain, it causes a feeling of deep satisfaction. But the brain quickly gets used to this feeling, like any drug, and begins to stimulate the division of more and more adipocytes to produce large doses of leptin, and the old ones begin to accumulate more and more fat, becoming larger. Accordingly, large adipocytes require more nutrition from the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which at the nervous level leads to an increase in appetite. The circle closes.
The brain’s desire to multiply adipocytes is associated with its dependence on leptin, but their enlargement and proliferation leads to compression of capillaries and lymphatic channels, which inevitably results in subcutaneous edema. Moreover, instead of releasing lipids into the blood and thereby nourishing the body’s tissues, they accumulate them, working exclusively for the production of leptin, the nerve saturation centers. Cellular dysfunction of adipocytes occurs. Subsequently, due to the “lack of space” for a normal location in the subcutaneous layer, adipocytes begin to “clump” into nodules, forming tissue fibrosis, which gives the skin the appearance of an orange peel.
Algorithm
The procedure is carried out in a cosmetology office, after its completion the patient goes home. The UVT session does not take much time, there are no negative feelings, and no preliminary preparation is required. During the session, the patient lies down on a special couch and relaxes.
The doctor applies a gel to the affected area, after which treatment begins with a special device for 20-40 minutes. There are several types of equipment, the differences are minor. The effect manifests itself within ten days after the procedure; the removal of decay products is accompanied by an increased load on systems and organs.
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The course of therapy consists of several procedures, their average number reaches 5-6 sessions, the number can be doubled, there is no negative impact on health. In this case, a recovery period is not required; procedures are carried out at intervals of 3-4 days.
After the course, preventive sessions are recommended 2 times every three months. A preliminary consultation is carried out with a cosmetologist, who can recommend other methods.
After shock wave therapy
The therapy does not require recovery, there are no side effects, immediately after therapy the patient can return to a normal lifestyle, she should be as active as possible. The peculiarity of the method is that the removal of fat cells destroyed under the influence of acoustic waves occurs in a natural way. In order to reduce the load on the liver and other organs, it is recommended to increase fluid intake and undergo additional pressotherapy and lymphatic drainage procedures. Moderate physical activity and dietary adjustments will also help improve the situation.
Efficiency
Cellulite is considered predominantly a women's problem, which is due to the characteristics of their body. The main purpose of a woman is considered to be reproduction, so the number of fat cells is 25% higher than in men. After performing this function or after reaching a certain age, many processes in the body are reconfigured.
Fat cells begin to group, the process of formation of fibrous tissue occurs, the skin becomes looser, and visually distinguishable bumps form. This is called the orange peel effect, and shock wave therapy is aimed at breaking it down. At the first stage, a pathological area with excess cellulite deposits is identified. The doctor directs a special device at it, from where a wave emanates, under the influence of which therapy begins.
After the procedure, the following phenomena are observed:
- Relaxation of connective tissue, smoothing of skin, leveling of relief;
- Activation of blood circulation and lymphatic drainage;
- Thinning of fibrous tissue;
- Starting the process of fat breakdown;
- Supply of the required amount of oxygen to tissues;
- Removal of toxic substances and breakdown products;
- Activation of the synthesis of your own collagen;
- Destruction of areas of fatty tissue;
- Activation of fluid outflow;
- Acceleration of tissue recovery;
- Skin tightening, eliminating sagging;
- Reduced swelling;
- Loss of body weight.
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The procedure is indicated for cellulite, lack of effect from previously used methods, contraindications to surgical intervention. Shock wave therapy provides direct impact on the affected areas, without any sensation. The procedure is recommended for people over 18 years of age and is in great demand among women over 30 years of age.
The essence of pathological changes in cellulite
In order to understand exactly how SWT helps in the fight against cellulite, it is necessary to have an understanding of this pathological process of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Literally translated, the word “cellulite” means inflammation of fatty tissue. Such a disease really exists, but in this case, particularly in cosmetology, cellulite has a different meaning. This is genuine lipodystrophy, which develops in women due to the physiological characteristics of the female body and provoking factors.
Subcutaneous fatty tissue in the female body not only performs its standard functions (protecting internal organs from injury, a source of energy and supporting heat regulation), but also a number of other very important ones. For example, it is an additional source of energy during pregnancy, both for a woman and her child; during menopause and menopause, it functions as an endocrine organ that produces hormones for a woman after the extinction of ovarian function.
Such features of the physiology of adipose tissue in women have led to the fact that its amount is much greater than in men, and the metabolic processes in it are very active and require good blood supply and lymphatic drainage.
If there is any disturbance (decreased blood flow with oxygen, deterioration of lymphatic drainage processes), normal fat cells succumb to the process of degeneration, and cellulite develops.
Many medical specialists do not even consider cellulite to be a pathological condition, but say that it is a naturally occurring physiological process in women.
Fat cells begin to accumulate large amounts of fat, stretch and enlarge, connective tissue septa develop around adipocytes, which leads to the development of a visual effect in the form of an “orange peel”.
Contraindications
Before performing shock wave therapy, it is recommended to make sure that there are no contraindications, most of them are associated with the processes of activating blood circulation and metabolic processes.
Contraindications:
- Diabetes;
- Hormonal imbalances;
- Diseases of the endocrine system;
- Metaphyses of bones;
- Chronic forms of liver and kidney failure;
- Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
- Infectious diseases in acute form;
- Slow or accelerated blood circulation processes;
- Any tumors;
- Pregnancy, lactation;
- Wounds, burns, suppurations, other violations of the integrity of the skin;
- Varicose veins, thrombophlebitis.
Therapy is contraindicated after surgery on the veins of the lower extremities. The procedure should be abandoned if sensitive areas are to be treated, this primarily applies to the intestinal or rib area.
The main vessels should not be exposed.
How does UVT work?
Maybe cellulite is considered a normal condition of the female body, but any woman will not put up with such a cosmetic defect in her skin. Shock wave therapy for cellulite perfectly helps every woman get rid of the hated “orange peel”.
The shock wave therapy device generates acoustic (shock) waves in the infrasonic high-frequency range, which are clearly focused and have a certain power. Under the force of the shock waves, the membranes of fat cells are destroyed, and fat accumulations enter the intercellular space, from where they migrate into the lymphatic vessels and into the blood.
Thus, excess fat is naturally removed from the place where it was deposited without any invasive manipulation.
In addition to the effect of destruction of adipocytes, UVT therapy promotes the resorption of connective tissue, due to which the connective tissue partitions in cellulite disappear and the skin acquires its original smoothness (the depressions and tubercles disappear).
UVT effects:
- normalization of blood circulation and lymphatic drainage processes;
- disappearance of connective tissue partitions;
- destruction of excess fat cells;
- establishment of metabolic processes in adipocytes and epithelial cells, which leads to the replacement of pathological adipose tissue with normal and rapid renewal of skin cells;
- synthesis of collagen fibers, due to which the skin tightens and its turgor increases;
- stimulation of fibroblast function;
- increased skin elasticity;
- increasing the permeability of cell membranes to nutrients and oxygen;
- activation of lipolysis (natural breakdown of fat deposits).
The shock wave also promotes the activation of metabolic processes in skin cells and the production of collagen. This leads to an overall slight effect of rejuvenation, tightening, and increased elasticity of the skin. As a result, after removing excess fat, the skin does not sag, but is tightened, which minimizes such undesirable effects after surgical liposuction as a sagging belly, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages
The procedure shows effectiveness in the fight against cellulite, which is proven by numerous positive reviews from women. Shock wave therapy against cellulite has become widespread because of its safety and painlessness; there are no discomforts during its implementation.
Other benefits:
- Absolute safety for women's health (in the absence of contraindications);
- Painlessness, absence of discomfort;
- No side effects;
- Preserving the integrity of the skin and other tissues, eliminating the need for healing;
- Prevention of stagnation of fat cell deposits – the possibility of use for preventive purposes;
- Stimulating blood circulation, increasing tone, accelerating fat burning, activating metabolic processes.
- No need for restoration;
- Effective at any stage of cellulite spread;
- Maintaining the result for a long time.
Shock wave therapy has a multifaceted effect on the body; in addition to getting rid of excess weight, it improves blood circulation and tones the skin. The effect lasts for three months, after which the procedure can be repeated.
Flaws
Women over 40 years of age are recommended to combine therapy with lymphatic drainage and other physiotherapeutic procedures, which will help speed up the removal of waste products. The disadvantages also include the rather high cost; the average price of a session is approximately 1,500 rubles; the cost of the full course is not affordable for everyone.
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Adviсe
The following tips will help speed up the positive effects on the body:
- Correction of the diet - choosing a balanced menu will help you get rid of excess weight, the presence of nutrients in the diet will ensure the normal functioning of the body;
- Playing sports - intense, fast movements aimed at activating metabolic processes and transforming fats into energy (cardio training, swimming, therapy combined with massage, hydrotherapy) have a positive effect;
- Use of wraps, masks, mud, cooling gels;
- Home workouts - recommended if regular exercise is not possible;
- Daily walking.
The complex effect on fat cells ensures that cellulite is eliminated in a short time, the skin becomes smooth and elastic. Shock wave therapy provides figure correction, as a result, attractiveness and beauty are preserved for a longer time.
Technique of the procedure
Shock wave therapy is a very simple procedure. First, the doctor determines the severity of cellulite in order to select the required ultrasound strength. Then the problem areas are lubricated with a special gel, which increases the conductivity of ultrasonic waves. After this, an ultrasound source is applied to the skin and massaging movements are carried out along the entire problem area.
The time of one procedure is 15-30 minutes. This depends on the severity of cellulite. The course of treatment may require from 6 to 12 procedures. The recommended frequency is 1-2 times a week. This is enough to get rid of the “orange peel”. And in the future, you can carry out preventive procedures every two months. The price of one session is 1500-2000 rubles.
Expert opinion!
When exposed to ultrasound, fat cells are broken down, which are the cause of cellulite. When they break down, energy is released. To utilize it and increase the effectiveness of shockwave therapy, it is recommended to combine treatment with proper nutrition, sports or gymnastics.
