Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) is a medical technique that involves using shockwaves to treat a variety of musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED).
This revolutionary therapy has gained popularity for its potential to promote healing, reduce pain, and improve mobility without the need for surgery or medication. Focused Shockwave Therapy is performed using the Duolith SD1 medical device.
Focused Shockwave Therapy is very effective in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). One of the critical advantages of FSWT is its non-invasive nature, which means there is minimal risk of complications or side effects.
Shockwave therapy has been helping men around the world treat erectile dysfunction for over ten years, but the long-term upside it offers makes it unique among the traditional treatment options. While oral medication or vacuum devices can help treat ED, they also work on an as-needed basis and only provide the desired effect for one sexual encounter.
These treatments do nothing to address the root issue and won't make it any easier to achieve an erection in the future.
Shockwave therapy directly targets the mechanism that allows you to attain an erection and makes it easier for you to achieve one on your own over time. It's also a non-invasive, pain-free treatment option that fits into any schedule.
In general, shockwave therapy uses shockwaves, which are single pulses of energy that travel faster than the speed of sound to stimulate blood flow to the affected area. These shockwaves create new blood vessels through a process called neovascularization. This process is used to treat conditions like:
Focused Shockwave Therapy represents a valuable addition to the range of non-surgical options that promote healing and improve the quality of life for individuals dealing with certain musculoskeletal and soft tissue issues.
Blood flow is vital for achieving and maintaining an erection. When healthy, arteries near your penis open wider when you're sexually aroused, but when you struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, they may not be able to widen correctly.
Over the last decade, using low-frequency shockwaves has been shown to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction and stimulating blood flow to the penis.
FSWT works by delivering high-energy acoustic waves to targeted areas of the body. These shockwaves create microtrauma within the tissue, which triggers the body's natural healing processes.
This includes increasing blood flow to the penis, promoting the release of growth factors, and stimulating the production of collagen – a key component of connective tissue.
Your provider at Happy Valley Clinic administers shockwave therapy, and the appointments are generally quick and easy, usually lasting between 25-30 minutes. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results.
When you visit Happy Valley Clinic for shockwave therapy, you'll be asked to disrobe and sit on the exam table. The shockwave handpiece is slid along the shaft of the penis. We use a sonic gel to transmit the painless shockwave energy.
Men don't typically find the process painful at all, and they don't need anesthesia or any type of numbing cream. They often only report feeling a slight tingling sensation during the procedure. Patients often experience mild discomfort during the procedure.
Focused shockwave therapy can increase your experience of sex in more ways than one. Patients report consistently enjoying stronger, firmer erections.
The treatment can also enhance your endurance and pleasure. It's also common for patients who undergo focused shockwave therapy to achieve an erection and reach orgasm multiple times in one sexual encounter within a short period.
When cells undergo acoustic waves, they release Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), which are vital to the growth of new blood vessels. In clinical trials, more than 60% of men saw improvement in erectile function after receiving focused shockwave therapy.
Happy Valley Clinic is the only provider in Utah to provide this treatment. Many patients travel from afar to our clinics. Happy Valley Clinic deploys the use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), which are focused shockwaves that are used to treat erectile dysfunction.
For over a decade, many large-scale and double-blind studies have proven the effectiveness of focused shockwave therapy for ED. This review provides the outcome of 16 different studies that used shockwave therapy.
Unfortunately, most of our competitors deploy acoustic wave therapy disguised as shockwave therapy. We highly recommend you do your own research to ensure the provider you select for treatment uses shockwave therapy and not acoustic wave therapy.
Please don't risk visiting a competitor and receiving an unproven or untested version of the procedure. Happy Valley Clinic uses a focused shockwave device that has been studied for over 12 years in research and clinical use, unlike other practices that use methods and radial devices that have yet to be researched or proven effective.
Focused shockwaves are instant single pulses. As the pulses are focused, they converge at a certain point within the tissue, as shown in the image below.
Their effect occurs at the level of cells and is often not visible on the skin's surface. Considerable research has been conducted on the effects of focused shockwaves on the penis and crura as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Many large-scale blind studies have confirmed the treatment is effective for ED, which is caused by deficient vascularization, also known as a blood flow disorder.
Focused shockwave devices are Class 111, requiring pre-market approvals and documentation on their clinical safety and effectiveness, and can only be used by medical personnel and only for approved applications.
A single positive pulse conducted numerously over time is dramatically more effective than acoustic wave therapy as the energy of the shockwave reaches the soft tissue of the penis, also known as the corpus cavernosum.
The energy must reach this area of the penis to stimulate the desired response of blood vessel growth. Acoustic waves fail to meet the scientific standards and efficacy of focused shockwave treatments.
Focused shockwave technology fundamentally differs from acoustic wave therapy and is sometimes referred to confusingly as "shockwaves" or "pressure waves." Despite many clinics within the United States using acoustic wave therapy devices, to date, their machine or protocol has not been clinically studied to be effective or safe for treating erectile dysfunction.
Acoustic wave therapy is akin to sound waves, which are ongoing oscillations that propagate outwards, i.e., radially, much like waves on the surface of water. When applied to the skin, the effect is much like a vibratory massage. Blood flow increases, the skin warms up, it turns red, and there may be an inflammatory response.
Due to the surface-level response and pain experienced during the treatment, many men believe there is positive change occurring, but the change is only experienced at the surface level of the penis and not internally.
This outcome is consistently misleading to a patient. In the short term, pain and redness may signify change, but in the long term, most men experience little to no positive change to their erections. The below figure illustrates the depth of a pressure wave.
Acoustic wave or radial pressure wave devices are classified as "Class 1" medical devices in the United States by the FDA. Their status is similar to that of muscle vibrators, which do not require regulatory approvals and can be used by anyone, with or without medical training. Most providers use these devices as anyone can acquire them.
Though oral medication can be an appropriate, effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), the team at Happy Valley Clinic discourages using these medications to enhance your sexual performance if you don't have ED. While medications such as sildenafil (Viagra®) and tadalafil (Cialis®) may seem like a simple solution, they can cause severe and unexpected complications.
If you take erectile dysfunction medication recreationally, it can interact dangerously with other substances. Ironically, doing so can also cause a decline in your sexual performance. You may become psychologically dependent on the medication and find you can't confidently achieve an erection without taking a pill first, leading to performance anxiety, a common cause of ED.
Our team of experts is here to support you in your journey to treat ED. We take great pride in helping couples and individuals revitalize their sexual function to boost their confidence and satisfaction.
You can schedule an appointment online or by phone today to learn more about the focused shockwave therapy offered at Happy Valley Clinic by calling 833-336-6386 now.
Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave as a Novel Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction.
In Situ Activation of Penile Progenitor Cells With Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy.
Radiation-induced erectile dysfunction: Recent advances and future directions
