By Megan Miller-Zutshi – Lead Physiotherapist and Clinical Director.
As you may be aware, at The Thornbury Clinic we recently purchased the Storz Medical Shockwave Therapy machine to help our patients suffering with chronic tendon problems. What you may not realise is that this machine can also be used for aesthetic purposes. We are now offering a range of treatments including anti-cellulite and skin toning, and wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation.
AWT for cellulite; how does it work?
Acoustic waves are mechanical sound waves that travel into the tissues of the selected area in a rapid and repeated sequence. This action stimulates a physiological response that accelerates the natural repair process of those tissues. AWT enhances micro-circulation and oxygen supply to the affected areas, resulting in an increased blood supply and removal of excess fluid.
Applied to the body, AWT can help cells flush away unwanted fat through the body’s natural waste elimination process. Scientific research has shown that AWT can reduce the appearance of cellulite from areas such as the bottom, hips, thighs and tummy, and reduce the overall circumference around legs, hips and arms. Research also found a reduction in thickness of subcutaneous fat on patients that had undergone AWT treatment. In some cases these results can be seen within as little as two to three weeks.
AWT can help with reducing cellulite and localised fatty deposits by improving skin tone and connective tissue, promoting collagen production and eliminating excess fluids.
The reason for the appearance of aging of the skin is due to the reduction of elastin, collagen, protein and hyaluronic acid. During the aging process the skins blood supply is reduced because the efficacy of the blood vessels in the dermis layer has lessened. The dermis, which normally supplies the epidermis with nutrition, cannot sufficiently maintain its functionality. The circulation of oxygen and nutrition is therefore reduced, and the regeneration of cells is decelerated. Skin aging, especially on the face, also results in a loss of elasticity and skin texture changes. This is due to the reduction of collagen which means the skin is less even and tight and develops more of a saggy appearance.
When applied to the face and décolleté AWT helps to stimulate the production of collagen elastin and hyaluronic acid fibres to restore your skin’s natural beauty. AWT can be used on the face and décolleté to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, provide a firming and toning effect and give skin a brighter and more even complexion.
Clinical trials found that after six weeks of treatment and a follow up six weeks later, there was significant diminution in facial wrinkles and pores. Additionally an improvement in skin tone was also noted.
Why have AWT?
AWT is a mainly painless non-invasive procedure requiring no down time, which means you can return to your normal activities immediately afterwards. Use of AWT on the body is clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of cellulite in those stubborn areas, and the facial treatments have been found to diminish facial wrinkles and improve skin texture.
At The Thornbury Clinic your treatment will be carried out by our highly trained Physiotherapists who have all undergone additional training and are approved to deliver aesthetic AWT. All treatments require an initial assessment and the recommended treatment plan is 4-6 individual sessions between 30-60 minutes. Following the recommended treatment plan, alongside good nutrition and exercise, the effects of AWT have been found to last up to six months. No treatment is guaranteed 100% effective, however as AWT is a non-invasive way to treat stubborn areas of cellulite and fatty deposits, and wrinkle reduction, it is a good place to start.
For more information please contact us on 01454 838366 or have look at the dedicated AWT section on our website.