Good question.

In fact, I ask why is SWD and I/F used as first line treatments?

I like to treat the causes of whatever caused the pain. That is sometimes their hip or Wikipedia reference-linkSIJ causes the L/S to take more strain and then their disc wears out. I like to look for the hip or SIJ problem because a monkey can help their symptoms (just wait 6 weeks and most people will feel better) but their pain will reoccur unless you treat the problem.

My point is that SWD and I/F, as far as I know, do not address the causes of pain, only the symptoms.

Besides, anyone can put a machine on someone, it really isn't that hard to learn that. What is difficult is to put your hands on someone, diagnose and make a patient who couldn't walk straight do so in less than 10 mins. Now that's impressive right? That's where we should invest our time, energy, research and skills.

Otherwise we are just machine technicians...