The Shockwave + EMTT Advantage: A Protocol for Superior Results
Our Regenerative Magnetic Therapy is backed by a growing body of clinical research showing remarkable outcomes for the most stubborn foot and ankle conditions.
We enhance the proven power of Storz Shockwave Therapy by combining it with Regenerative Magnetic Therapy (EMTT) to create a synergistic healing effect. This protocol allows us to achieve faster, more complete recoveries for our patients.
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Discover a powerful, non-invasive therapy that uses acoustic energy to stimulate your body’s own healing and regeneration processes, with a success rate of up to 91% for chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Are You “Stuck” With a Chronic Injury That Won’t Heal?
You’ve tried rest, ice, stretching, and maybe even painful injections, but the nagging pain from your plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, or other chronic injury persists. You’re frustrated with the lack of progress and looking for a real solution that addresses the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.
Many chronic conditions are stuck in a non-healing state because of poor blood flow, disorganized scar tissue, and chronic inflammation. To break this cycle, you need a therapy that can restart the healing cascade and regenerate healthy, functional tissue.
The Storz Difference: The Gold Standard in Shockwave Technology
Regenerative Shockwave Therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to create a powerful healing response in your body’s tissues. The technology was pioneered for medical use and brought to market by the world-renowned Swiss company Storz Medical. With a history of unmatched quality and innovation, Storz is globally recognized as the gold standard in shockwave technology, and we are proud to use their industry-leading systems in our clinic to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.
It’s crucial to understand that not all shockwave is the same. Our advanced Storz system allows us to provide two distinct types of therapy, tailored to your specific condition:
- Radial Shockwave (EPAT): This uses a lower-energy, dispersed pressure wave that is excellent for treating more superficial conditions and larger areas. It works to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and break down scar tissue.
- Focused Shockwave (ESWT): This uses a higher-energy, targeted sound wave that can penetrate deep into the body to a precise point. This is the gold standard for treating deep tendon injuries, non-healing fractures, and breaking down calcifications.
By having both technologies, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both the superficial and deep components of your injury, which is a key reason for our high success rates.
A Foundation of Science: The Clinical Proof Behind Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is one of the most researched non-invasive treatments in musculoskeletal medicine, with the highest level of evidence for many conditions. The clinical results for foot and ankle problems are outstanding:
For Chronic Plantar Fasciitis:
- Shockwave Alone: A landmark study showed focused shockwave has a success rate of up to 91%.
- The EMTT Advantage: To elevate these results, we add EMTT. A recent multicenter trial found that patients who received EMTT in addition to shockwave saw a 73% reduction in their “first-step” pain, and their final pain score was 40% lower than the group that only received shockwave.
For Achilles Tendinopathy:
- Shockwave Alone: For this notoriously difficult-to-treat condition, studies show a success rate of up to 88%.
- The EMTT Advantage: We enhance this healing by incorporating EMTT, which has been shown in studies to provide a 72% average reduction in pain and significant functional improvement, with 8 out of 10 patients reporting good to excellent results.
For Bone Healing (Stress Fractures & Non-Unions):
- Shockwave Alone: High-energy focused shockwave is a powerful non-surgical option, with studies showing an incredible 87% union rate for non-healing fractures by stimulating bone-forming cells (osteoblasts).
- The EMTT Advantage: We accelerate this process with EMTT, which basic science research has demonstrated works at the genetic level to upregulate the genes associated with bone formation and accelerate matrix mineralization—the building blocks of bone repair.
Take the First Step to Lasting Relief
You don’t have to accept chronic pain as a part of your life. If you are ready for a proven, non-invasive solution that can finally resolve your injury, our advanced regenerative therapies may be the answer. The process begins with a consultation to determine if you are a candidate.
Stop the cycle of pain and get back to the activities you love. Schedule your consultation to discover if our advanced Storz Shockwave and EMTT therapies can help you. Call us at 650-342-2420 or book your appointment online now!
Our Clients, In Their Own Words
How We’re Different
The Doctors and team of San Mateo Podiatry Group proudly offer patients the latest advanced, safe and effective treatments for foot and ankle problems.
- Same day consultations and treatments are generally available
- Most procedures can be completed with little to no discomfort.
- Generally, patients can return to work, sports and exercise immediately.
Trust the Experience, Experience The Difference
Founded in 1917, San Mateo Podiatry Group is the San Francisco Peninsula’s Premier Foot and Ankle Specialty Practice, delivering a tradition of excellence in foot and ankle care. The Doctors of San Mateo Podiatry Group are Board Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeons use the latest technology, proven research, and experience to deliver great results for patients.
Our proven process delivers state of the art foot and ankle care to our clients, to help them become their best selves.
Learn more about Doctors of Podiatric Medicine: The experts in medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Regenerative Shockwave Therapy is an advanced, FDA-cleared technology that has been used successfully to treat millions of patients around the globe. It is a non-invasive procedure, meaning it does not break the skin. A wealth of medical research has confirmed its safety and effectiveness, and when performed by a qualified professional, it has virtually no risks or side effects.
Most patients experience mild discomfort during the treatment, which is typically very well-tolerated. The therapy uses acoustic sound waves, and you may feel a tapping or pulsing sensation on the skin as the energy is applied to the injured area. Your provider can adjust the intensity to ensure your comfort.
A single treatment session is very fast, typically lasting only 10-15 minutes. For most chronic conditions, a series of 3 weekly treatments is recommended to achieve the best possible outcome.
One of the biggest advantages of this therapy is the lack of downtime. You can and should remain active after your treatment. You will be able to walk out of the office and return to your normal daily routine immediately. There are no restrictions on work or exercise.
No. Like many advanced, regenerative therapies, Shockwave Therapy is not covered by insurance and is an out-of-pocket expense. However, many patients find the cost to be a valuable investment in their health, as it can resolve chronic pain and prevent the need for more costly procedures like surgery. We can provide you with a personalized pricing plan, and you may be able to use your employer's Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover the expense with pre-tax dollars.
• The Executive Summary:
Shockwave Therapy uses sound waves to recruit your body’s healing system to repair a stalled injury.
This recruits your body's own stem cells and increases blood flow to actually repair the damaged tissue, rather than just masking the pain."
The (Really) Long Answer:
The primary mechanism is mechanotransduction. The device converts high-pressure acoustic energy into biological signals at the cellular level, triggering a cascade of regenerative responses rather than direct mechanical damage [1, 2].
Often misunderstood; contrary to the older belief that it "breaks up" tissue (mechanical disruption).
1. Stem Cell Recruitment & Tissue Regeneration The therapy upregulates chemoattractant factors that physically recruit progenitor (stem) cells to the treated area [4, 5].
A. Soft Tissue: Stimulates collagen synthesis and remodeling.
B. Bone: Activates osteogenesis through osteoblast differentiation and proliferation, effectively treating non-unions and stress fractures [3, 6].
2. Neovascularization (New Blood Flow) The acoustic waves stimulate the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This rapid enhancement of eNOS activity increases Nitric Oxide (NO) levels, which dilates blood vessels and stimulates the growth of new capillaries, re-oxygenating chronic, ischemic tissue [2, 4, 5].
3. Anti-Inflammatory Response The increase in Nitric Oxide helps suppress NF-κB activation (a key regulator of inflammation). Additionally, ESWT modulates macrophage activity, helping the body transition from a chronic inflammatory state to a resolution and healing phase [2, 7].
4. Pain Modulation (Analgesia) ESWT provides immediate and long-term pain relief through mechanisms involving serotonin:
Chemical alteration: It increases serotonin in the dorsal horn and facilitates the descending inhibition of pain signals [3].
5. Macrophage Mediated Healing The therapy enhances the uptake of apoptotic cells by macrophages and promotes the expression of healing-associated cytokines via the ERK pathway, essentially "cleaning up" the site of injury to allow for new growth [7].
References
1. d'Agostino MC, et al. Shock Wave as Biological Therapeutic Tool: From Mechanical Stimulation to Recovery and Healing, Through Mechanotransduction. Int J Surg. 2015;24(Pt B):147-53.
2. Mariotto S, et al. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanism That Triggers Anti-Inflammatory Action. Curr Med Chem. 2009;16(19):2366-72.
3. Medina C. Shockwave Therapy in Veterinary Rehabilitation. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2023;53(4):775-781.
4. Liu T, et al. Cellular Signaling Pathways Modulated by Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. Int J Impot Res. 2019;31(3):170-176.
5. Wang HJ, et al. Potential Applications of Low-Energy Shock Waves in Functional Urology. Int J Urol. 2017;24(8):573-581.
6. Mittermayr R, et al. The Role of Shockwaves in the Enhancement of Bone Repair - From Basic Principles to Clinical Application. Injury. 2021;52 Suppl 2:S84-S90.
7. Holsapple JS, et al. Low Intensity Shockwave Treatment Modulates Macrophage Functions Beneficial to Healing Chronic Wounds. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(15):7844.