The Piezowave is one of the newest modalities available in assisting pets in their healing journey. The Piezowave uses acoustic (sound) waves to mechanically stimulate deep tissues in the body to treat pain which may be caused by injuries to the musculoskeletal system or other issues such as, chronic bone pain, joint disease, muscle strain, tendon injuries or arthritis.
Technicians administering treatments are trained in reading biofeedback information from your pet by watching for your pet's reactions to slight discomfort when the acoustic waves hit injured tissues. This feedback is helpful in finding specific pain or trigger points that may be primary due to injury or secondary due to over-compensation from off-weighting to the opposite limb. Once the treatment site is determined, the technician can adjust the energy output to give the pet the most comfort and benefits during their treatments. Piezowave treatments are generally well tolerated by pets, with some exceptions, such as stimulating bone healing, where minor sedation may be required to keep the pet comfortable.
Treatment times may vary from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area and number of areas being treated. Your pet will need to come in 1 to 2 times per week for a total of 3 to 6 treatments to achieve lasting relief.
Often it is found that most pets will experience a decrease in pain and increase in mobility. There is often an immediate analgesic effect for your pet, so it is imperative to allow them to rest in a quiet and controlled environment for at least 72 hours after treatments. This rest is to help them from reversing the work your technician and pet accomplished during their appointment. It is not uncommon for your pet to experience some tenderness or soreness (much like what you feel after a deep tissue massage) in the treated site the day after treatment. The sensitivity will diminish over 24-48 hours.
Interested in finding out if your pet is a candidate for the Piezowave? Please contact our office to learn more!
