Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy MyACT (Shockwave Therapy)

Here at Crossroads Chiropractic, we constantly seek the latest in cutting edge technology to be able to offer you services to improve your quality of life. One of these additions is the MyAct machine.

What is the Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy MyACT?
Acoustic wave therapy is a highly efficient, non-surgical treatment of chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system. During this therapy, sound waves interacts with the tissues of the body. This leads to a cascade of beneficial effects such as increased vascular supply, reversal of chronic inflammation, stimulation of collagen and dissolution of calcium build-up. Stimulation of these biological mechanisms creates an optimal healing environment. As the injured area is returned to normal, functionality is restored and pain is relieved.

Healing…at the Speed of Sound…

Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy “MyACT.”  Low energy/low level compression and acoustic waves targeting tissue at varying depths resulting in very precise deep-tissue stimulation which recreates a natural healing environment within the body.  While this sounds very mysterious to a layman it is really quite simple in its application.

First, remember that “myo” indicates “muscle,” while “fascial” is the web-like system that exists throughout the entire human body, from head to toe, connected like the yarn of a knitted sweater.  In a healthy state, this system is wavy and relaxed, but when one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, the elasticity becomes restricted and can create “tension” or pain in the rest of the body.

Acoustic compression waves, the same technology used to break up kidney stones without surgery (lithotripsy), was later developed to specifically treat chronic pain when patients undergoing lithotripsy noticed a reduction in other unrelated aches and pains.  Specialized machines using these acoustic waves to treat injured or compromised tissues causing pain have been used in Germany for the past 23 years (developed by Richard Wolf) for the treatment of injuries and pain. This technology is now FDA registered for care in the US.

How does it work?

• The PiezoWave2 (MyACT) machine delivers mechanical energy –It does not use  light (laser), electrical (Estim, PEMF) or thermal energy (Ultrasound).
• MyACT targets tissue at varying depths to compress and manipulate tissue.

PiezoWave2  delivers the most energy at a depth that you define without being compromised by tissue absorption.

What you can expect your treatment with the MyACT to be like:

• The clinician identifies the treatment site(s), which will be charted for future treatment.
• The clinician will then apply a thin coat of coupling gel. This gel helps to translate the acoustic sound waves generated by the therapy head to the body.
• The clinician will start the treatment at a very low output setting and increase the power to a level that is tolerated by the patient and allows for definition of the treatment site. The output level and acoustic wave frequency rate may vary from location to location based on the depth and type of tissue being treated.
• As the clinician moves the therapy source around the treatment area, the patient will feel a dull ache.  The clinician will ask the patient to report when he or she feels the ache and will adjust the output of the device to the appropriate level tolerated by the patient. The clinician will ask the patient to confirm that the therapy source is still creating the ache and may adjust the location of the treatment based on the patient’s feedback. If at any time the treatment becomes uncomfortable, the patient is instructed to mention this to the clinician and the output is adjusted to a comfortable level.
• After the treatment is completed, the coupling gel will be removed and the patient can return to their normal activities. The patient may experience some minor aches or discomfort after treatment, but is suggested to drink a significant amount of water to help lessen the discomfort. It is not unusual for patients to notice flushed or reddened skin around the treatment site.

• A typical MyACT treatment takes between 10 and 20 minutes
• Normally, 1-2 treatments per week are performed
• 4-10 treatments may be necessary before lasting improvement is achieved
• With acute pain, a single session is often successful