What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a fast and effective, non-invasive method of treating many painful musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. SWT speeds up the healing process by stimulating the muscles and allowing the body to heal itself. A series of mechanical shockwaves are applied to the area that requires treatment. This pressure disturbance moves through the tendon leading to self repair, increased function and a decrease in pain. Recent studies have shown that there is an 80% success rate using shockwave therapy, once all the underlying conditions have been managed.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Patients who have been treated with Shockwave Therapy benefit from an increase in blood circulation which helps with cell repair. SWT also stimulates cells for new tissue growth. ESWT is a non invasive treatment option which can reduce the need for steroid injections or even surgery.
SWT is also hugely beneficial for patients who have chronic inflammation. The use of SWT can see reversal of chronic inflammation to acute inflammation. This will then allow for treatment of the condition using a variety of approaches including massage and exercises/stretches assigned by a physiotherapist.
What Can Shockwave Therapy Help With?
The treatment can be used to ease a broad range of musculoskeletal injuries, including:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Rotator cuff tendon
- Plantar fasciitis
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Shoulder Tendon pain
- Calcific tendinitis
- Golfers Elbow
- Gluteal tendon pain
- Chronic Trigger point pain
- Running overload injuries
How fast does SWT work?
The treatment can sometimes be uncomfortable but it is short in duration, 10-15 minute session is all that is necessary to successfully treat the area. A treatment can be modified to suit the patient’s pain tolerance. Patients return for 3-6 sessions to effectively treat the area. It is necessary to have successive treatment sessions. These are spaced sufficiently to allow the tissue respond to the treatment, and are usually one week apart.
Contraindications:
SWT is not suitable for the following people:
- Pregnant women
- anyone undergoing cancer treatment
- under 18’s
- if there is an infection in the affected area
- if you have had a steroid injection in the area in the previous 12 weeks.