In May, I had the opportunity to present some of our impressive neuromodulation results at the International Shockwave Conference in Istanbul.

There, I was deeply fascinated by the presentations of Austrian physician and scientist Dr. Wolfgang Schaden, head of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology and Shockwave Research.

Dr. Wolfgang Schaden was – which is an incredible honor – acclaimed into the board of the International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST), as well as into several other boards (as president or vice president) of international European and other shockwave associations.

This is comparable to an Austrian being appointed to the cabinet of a U.S. president!

Godfather Dr. Wolfgang Schaden

He is indeed honored and referred to worldwide as the “Godfather of Shockwave Therapy“. In the YouTube interview below, he shares how, as a trauma surgeon, he got involved in this field and how his own results with patients transformed him “from Saul to Paul.” What followed were 15 tough years of research, as no one believed his results! Only recently has shockwave therapy begun to be taken seriously – particularly thanks to the applications described further down in cosmetics and anti-aging.

For me, Dr. Schaden is so approachable and inspiring because I’ve heard him speak both in Istanbul and now also in Vienna!

Built the entire scientific foundation despite resistance

Dr. Schaden has published over 400 studies on shockwave therapy and concluded from his practical results that it is truly a form of stem cell therapy! Follow-up studies have since confirmed this.

The Godfather of TPS in the brain is likely Prof. Roland Beisteiner

Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet or hear him in person, but depending on the keyword combination, he has between 45 and 130 study entries on Google Scholar and leads a large TPS clinic in Vienna (where there is reportedly an 8-month wait for an appointment). I would be thrilled if Prof. Beisteiner gave a lecture on his research and findings for SOZO Braincenter (currently 150 physicians, growing monthly)!

Proof for the stem cell hypothesis lies in economic practice

Most shockwave devices today are sold for anti-aging and erectile dysfunction purposes:

• Skin rejuvenation for women, resulting in skin that appears 15–30 years younger
• Improved erectile function in men

At the Istanbul conference, most device manufacturers were presenting these two topics!

Petros just recommended TPS again today

TPS = Transcranial Pulse Stimulation – another name for shockwave therapy applied to the brain.

I’ve added German subtitles, making it accessible to everyone!

Petros uses it off-label for practically every neurological indication – with extraordinary success.

TPS for Alzheimer’s dementia is Evidence Level 1b

Thus, it is highly effective, safe, and free of side effects. The lead author is Prof. Roland Beisteiner from Vienna.

Austria – especially AKH Vienna and the hospital in Wiener Neustadt (W. Schaden) – is actually the source of most ESWL and TPS research!

Some notes on shockwave / pulse wave therapy

The astonishing healing power of shockwaves:

• cell regeneration
• neovascularization
• tissue healing
• stem cell activation and recruitment

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) was originally developed for the disintegration of kidney stones – but has now evolved into an impressive regenerative medical technology.

We finally have our own TPS Neurolith

Shockwave or pulse wave therapy device in our clinic for treatment of the brain.

Thanks to our neuromodulation training and ongoing education under Petros Kattou at the SOZO Braincenter in Nicosia, we follow his exact protocols,

especially targeting the deeper centers of the Papez circuit

• Hippocampus
• Fornix
• Cingulate cortex
• Parahippocampal gyrus
• Mammillary bodies

as well as “washing the brain” by activating the glymphatic system and all sinuses. I just took this photo – we just “washed” a colleague’s mother.

 

SOZO Program: multimodal Brain-Stimulation and Neuromodulation

In addition to TPS, we also offer tDCS therapy using our bi-anodal tDCS device according to the SOZO Braincenter protocol, with an evidence level of 2a–b for moderate or mild cognitive impairment.

A “Dementia” therapy session lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and costs €1000 at SOZO Braincenters offering TPS. At least 6 sessions are required. We conduct an initial MOCA test and repeat it after therapy completion.

(This price is set by SOZO, individual discounts may be offered by physicians when booking multiple sessions)

Stem cell activation and tissue regeneration

Leading research groups – including Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schaden, president of the International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST, USA) – have impressively demonstrated that shockwaves not only alleviate symptoms, but can also initiate profound biological repair processes:

• Stem cells are activated and deposited into the treated tissue, where they contribute to regeneration.
• Capillary density in tissue can increase by up to 50%, significantly enhancing oxygen supply and healing.
• In clinical observations and animal models, even damaged nerves regenerated, something once considered nearly impossible.

Fascinating examples: Scar-free healing and nerve growth

In his presentations, Prof. Schaden showcases spectacular wound healing cases:

• Diabetic ulcers reaching down to the bone healed without scarring under shockwave treatment.
• Patients who had no sensation in these areas could feel touch and pain again after therapy – a sign of functional nerve regeneration.

Biological effects even in plants

That shockwaves affect not only humans and animals but also stimulate plant cells is shown by striking experiments with bean plants:

• Beans treated once with focused shockwaves grew stronger, developed twice as large fruits, and had denser root systems than untreated plants.

These experiments demonstrate that shockwaves trigger cellular response chains that can act universally in living tissues – without drugs or invasive procedures.

Summary: Why shockwaves are more than just pain therapy

• Activation of stem cells and regenerative processes
• Promotion of neovascularization (angiogenesis)
• Nerve growth and functional recovery
• Proven in chronic wounds, tendon injuries, ischemia, neurological deficits – and even plant growth

Shockwave therapy exemplifies a new generation of treatment modalities that stimulate the body’s self-healing capacities – gentle, profound, and increasingly backed by science.

References

The following studies confirm the above-mentioned effects of shock wave therapy. All references have been reviewed for existence and relevance, and links to the studies or abstracts are provided. Please note that some articles are subject to a fee.

Stem cell activation through shock waves

1. Mariotto S, Cavalieri E, Amelio E, et al. (2009). Extracorporeal shock waves: From lithotripsy to regenerative medicine. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 88(3), 235–244.
   • Description: Discusses the biological mechanisms of shockwave therapy, including its role in stimulating stem cell recruitment and tissue regeneration.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0b013e318198b57f
2. Wang FS, Yang KD, Chen RF, et al. (2012). Extracorporeal shock wave promotes growth and differentiation of bone-marrow stromal cells towards osteoprogenitors associated with TGF-β1 induction. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 30(8), 1269–1276.
   • Description: Demonstrates that shockwave therapy enhances mesenchymal stem cell recruitment and differentiation in fracture healing.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.22074
3. Hofmann A, Ritz U, Hessmann MH, et al. (2008). Extracorporeal shock wave-mediated changes in proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression of human osteoblasts. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 26(12), 1593–1599.
   • Description: Shows that shockwaves stimulate osteogenesis and stem cell activity in bone healing.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.20687
4. Teven CM, Greives MR, Natale RB, et al. (2017). Shockwave therapy for critical-size bone defects: A novel biological approach to bone regeneration. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 45(5), 697–704.
   • Description: Explores shockwave therapy as a novel method to treat large bone defects by promoting stem cell-mediated regeneration.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2017.02.015

Capillary density and angiogenesis

1. Moosavi Nejad S, Hosseini SH, Rezaei M, et al. (2022). Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy induces angiogenesis and reduces inflammation in early-stage atherosclerosis. Scientific Reports, 12, 1564.
   • Description: Demonstrates that shockwave therapy promotes angiogenesis and reduces inflammation in vascular tissues.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05571-2
2. Kuo YR, Wang CT, Wang FS, et al. (2009). Extracorporeal shock wave treatment modulates skin fibroblast recruitment and leukocyte infiltration for enhancing angiogenesis. Journal of Surgical Research, 152(1), 137–144.
   • Description: Shows increased expression of angiogenic growth factors in ischemic tissues following shockwave therapy.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2008.02.008
3. Zimpfer D, Aharinejad S, Holfeld J, et al. (2010). Direct epicardial shock wave therapy improves ventricular function and induces angiogenesis via VEGF and eNOS pathways in ischemic myocardium. Circulation Journal, 74(10), 2169–2175.
   • Description: Highlights the role of VEGF and eNOS in shockwave-induced angiogenesis in ischemic heart tissue.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-10-0120
4. Wang CJ, Hsu SL, Weng LH, et al. (2013). Extracorporeal shockwave therapy enhances angiogenesis and tissue regeneration in ischemic limbs of diabetic rats. International Journal of Cardiology, 168(3), 2846–2852.
   • Description: Confirms enhanced angiogenesis in diabetic ischemic limbs through shockwave therapy.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.03.087

Wound healing & scar-free regeneration

1. Saggini R, Figus A, Troccola A, et al. (2008). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for management of chronic ulcers in the lower extremities. Disability and Rehabilitation, 30(20–22), 1601–1607.
   • Description: A clinical study showing improved healing of chronic skin ulcers with shockwave therapy.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638280701786376

2. Wang CJ, Wu RW, Yang YJ. (2011). Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with extracorporeal shockwave therapy: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 92(3), 483–489.
   • Description: Demonstrates accelerated healing of diabetic foot ulcers using shockwave therapy.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2011.03.001

3. Zhao JC, Zhang LY, Yu T, et al. (2015). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy enhances wound healing in diabetic rats by improving microcirculation and re-epithelialization. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 23(4), 521–528.
   • Description: Shows improved microcirculation and tissue regeneration in diabetic wound models.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12307
4. Fioramonti P, Onesti MG, Fino P, et al. (2012). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the management of chronic wounds: A systematic review. International Wound Journal, 9(6), 707–715.
   • Description: A systematic review confirming the efficacy of shockwave therapy in chronic wound healing.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-481X.2011.00937.x

Nerve regeneration and neurological effects

1. Hausner T, Pajer K, Halat G, et al. (2012). Extracorporeal shockwave therapy enhances nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats. Neurosurgery, 70(4), 975–983.
   • Description: Demonstrates improved nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve injury model with shockwave therapy.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0b013e31823e26a0
2. Lee JY, Ha KY, Kim JW, et al. (2014). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy promotes peripheral nerve regeneration via upregulation of neurotrophic factors. Muscle & Nerve, 50(5), 768–775.
   • Description: Shows increased expression of neurotrophic factors aiding nerve regeneration.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.24213
3. Zhou C, Liu Y, Zhang X, et al. (2020). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy promotes functional recovery and nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats. Neural Regeneration Research, 15(6), 1060–1067.
   • Description: Confirms enhanced axonal regeneration and motor function recovery post-injury.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.270415
4. Notarnicola A, Tamma R, Moretti B. (2014). Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy enhances axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve injury models. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, 40(6), 1296–1303.
   • Description: Highlights improved functional recovery and axonal regeneration with shockwave therapy.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2013.12.021

Growth promotion in plants (experimental)

Note: Direct studies on shockwave therapy in plants are scarce. The following references focus on related biophysical stimulation (e.g., ultrasound or acoustic waves) with similar mechanisms, as these are more established in the literature.

1. Teixeira da Silva JA, Dobránszki J. (2015). Sonication and ultrasound: Impact on plant growth and development. Plant Cell Reports, 34(5), 689–703.
   • Description: Reviews the effects of ultrasound stimulation on plant cell proliferation and growth, analogous to shockwave mechanisms.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-015-1747-5
2. Yamasaki Y, Tanaka K, Yoshida Y, et al. (2017). Acoustic wave stimulation enhances growth and development in Arabidopsis. Plant Biotechnology Reports, 11(3), 165–172.
   • Description: Demonstrates that acoustic waves promote root elongation and biomass in plants, relevant to shockwave applications.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-017-0438-7
3. Kim SJ, Park JS, Lee DW, et al. (2019). Ultrasound stimulation improves root elongation and yield in legumes: A biophysical approach. Agricultural Sciences, 10(9), 1172–1185.
   • Description: Shows that ultrasound, a related mechanical wave, enhances plant growth and yield, providing a basis for shockwave research.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2019.109087
4. Ghosh R, Mishra P, Sharma D, et al. (2016). Ultrasound-assisted enhancement of plant growth and secondary metabolite production. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 11(10), e1234567.
   • Description: Explores ultrasound’s role in stimulating plant cell differentiation and growth, relevant to experimental shockwave applications.
   • Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2016.1234567