April 10, 2023
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. These sound waves are focused on the affected area of the body, where they promote the growth of new blood vessels and tissue regeneration. This type of therapy has been used for a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, and certain types of soft tissue damage.
These waves are transferred via an applicator pulsing approximately 2000 times over a 2-5 minute period.
Shockwave therapy has been shown to be effective for a wide range of conditions, including:
During the treatment, you may feel a mild discomfort or a sensation of pressure in the treated area. However, most patients report that the discomfort is manageable, and the treatment is not painful. In fact, many patients report feeling a sense of relief after the treatment, as the therapy stimulates the body's natural healing processes.
Overall, shockwave therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for many musculoskeletal conditions. If you are suffering from chronic pain or a soft tissue injury, talk to your physiotherapist to see if shockwave therapy might be right for you.
Numerous studies have shown shockwave to be effective for tendon problems such as calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, gluteal tendinopathy, hamstring tendinopathy, patella tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee), Achille’s tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis.
Many patients will feel immediate pain relief following the shockwave therapy session. The frequency and intensity of the shocks can be adjusted though to ensure the session is kept within a comfortable level as it is not designed to be a painful treatment. Getting these settings right is important to get the right effect and to minimise any skin irritation from the treatment.
Most patients require around 5 sessions of shockwave therapy, spaced out every 1-2 weeks.
We provide Shockwave Therapy at no additional cost to our regular consultation fees.
Yes, a well designed exercise program that progressively increases the load on the tendon is one of the best ways to strengthen the tendons and regain function. This should be done together with identifying and reducing any excessive strain on the tendons that can occur with training errors, poor postures and positions, and compensatory movement patterns.