Shockwave Therapy
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Indications
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Therapy sequence
Mechanism of action
Medical effects
Watch video - Shockwave therapy in action
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Indications
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Foot Pain
Chronic Tendinopathy
Calcifications
∙ Calcific tendonitis Medial/ Anterior Tibial Stress Syndrome
Insertional Pain
∙ Pain in hamstring insertions
∙ Ilio-Tibial Band Syndrome (ITB)
∙ Chronic enthesopathies
∙ Bursitis Patella Tendinopathy
Hip Pain
∙ Greater trochanteric pain
∙ Bursitis - Trochanteric
∙ Avascular necrosis of Femoral Head
∙ Hip pain Osteoarthritis of Knee
∙ Osteoarthritis Pain in Groin Area
Ligament Injuries
Trigger Point Release
Pseudoarthrosis (Non Union)
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Stress Fractures
Cellulitis
Upper Limb Injuries
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FAQ
Will shockwave therapy help me ?
Most patients with chronic pain problems have been through various unsuccessful types of treatments. Up to 80% of the same patients worldwide report that Shockwave therapy has helped them eliminate their problem.
All new clients will require an initial clinical assessment with Greg. This will ensure that we have an accurate diagnosis, assess other contributory problems and develop a personal rehabilitation protocol.
All new clients will require an initial clinical assessment with Greg. This will ensure that we have an accurate diagnosis, assess other contributory problems and develop a personal rehabilitation protocol.
Does the treatment hurt ?
There may be a slight feeling of discomfort during the treatment, depending on the level of pain the patient is already experiencing in the area. However, since the treatment lasts only about five minutes, most patients are able to tolerate this discomfort. Additionally, the intensity of the treatment can be adjusted throughout the session.
How many treatments will I need ?
Shockwave (RPW) therapy typically requires a course of three treatment sessions.
A small minority of resistant cases may require up to 6 treatments.
The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so you will typically need more than one treatment. Very often though, you will experience relief right after the first treatment.
A small minority of resistant cases may require up to 6 treatments.
The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so you will typically need more than one treatment. Very often though, you will experience relief right after the first treatment.
How often will I need the treatment ?
Most indications require 3–5 treatments which are done 3–10 days apart, depending on the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response.
The procedure does not require any type of sedation or anaesthetic.
The procedure does not require any type of sedation or anaesthetic.
Will I feel any pain after the treatment ?
Most patients will experience an immediate pain relief following the treatment. However, within 2–4 hours after the treatment, they may experience some soreness in the treated area. This soreness has been reported as tolerable and not limiting.
Are there any restrictions after the treatment ?
It is recommended that patients refrain from physical activity, especially one that would involve the treated region for about 48 hours following each treatment session.
What happens during the shockwave therapy appointment ?
The treatment areas are located and marked. Contact gel is applied to the skin, the transmitter is pressed on to the affected area and the shockwaves are delivered through the skin.
The shockwaves are felt as pulses which are a little uncomfortable but not painful.
The treatment will start with a low level of intensity and increase this to a point where you feel comfortable.
The shockwaves are felt as pulses which are a little uncomfortable but not painful.
The treatment will start with a low level of intensity and increase this to a point where you feel comfortable.
How quickly will I see results ?
Many patients experience an improvement in symptoms almost immediately following treatment. This effect is usually (but not always) temporary, and is associated with the analgesic effect resulting from hyper-stimulation of the tissue by Shockwave therapy.
It takes several days for injuries to begin to heal, and many patients see an improvement before the end of the second week. Depending on the diagnosis, the healing process may take several weeks or even months to be completed, but pain relief often precedes complete healing.
While we expect a positive clinical outcome it is possible that this treatment may not improve your symptoms.
The use of Shockwave therapy will be undertaken within a personalised treatment plan.
You will benefit from undertaking the activity recommendations and rehabilitation advice & exercises during and after completion of your course of Shockwave therapy.
It takes several days for injuries to begin to heal, and many patients see an improvement before the end of the second week. Depending on the diagnosis, the healing process may take several weeks or even months to be completed, but pain relief often precedes complete healing.
While we expect a positive clinical outcome it is possible that this treatment may not improve your symptoms.
The use of Shockwave therapy will be undertaken within a personalised treatment plan.
You will benefit from undertaking the activity recommendations and rehabilitation advice & exercises during and after completion of your course of Shockwave therapy.
Are there any side effects from treatment ?
Shockwave therapy has no long term side-effects.
While some short-term discomfort is felt during the treatment and tingling or numbness over the treatment area of treatment, most people can return to their regular activities almost immediately, although some may need to avoid heavy strenuous activities for a day or two.
Minor side effects may occur following treatment sessions. There may be a transient reddening, bruising or swelling of the area and some patients experience a brief increase in pain. These generally subsided after 5-10 days.
Anti-inflammatory medication should not be used immediately before or for the duration of the treatment course.
While some short-term discomfort is felt during the treatment and tingling or numbness over the treatment area of treatment, most people can return to their regular activities almost immediately, although some may need to avoid heavy strenuous activities for a day or two.
Minor side effects may occur following treatment sessions. There may be a transient reddening, bruising or swelling of the area and some patients experience a brief increase in pain. These generally subsided after 5-10 days.
Anti-inflammatory medication should not be used immediately before or for the duration of the treatment course.
When do we not recommend shockwave therapy ?
There are a number of scenarios where Shockwave Therapy is not recommended.
Typically Shockwave therapy is not used in the presence of bone tumours, certain metabolic bone conditions, and certain nerve or circulation disorders. Shockwave therapy is also not used in pregnant patients and at locations where there is an open growth plate.
It is currently not used in areas where an infection is present. It also should not be used in conditions or at locations where gas or air is present in the body.
You should notify us if you have concerns regarding any of the following conditions;
Typically Shockwave therapy is not used in the presence of bone tumours, certain metabolic bone conditions, and certain nerve or circulation disorders. Shockwave therapy is also not used in pregnant patients and at locations where there is an open growth plate.
It is currently not used in areas where an infection is present. It also should not be used in conditions or at locations where gas or air is present in the body.
You should notify us if you have concerns regarding any of the following conditions;
- Coagulation disorders
- Use of anticoagulants
- Thrombosis
- Malignancy
- Pregnancy
- Polyneuropathy (in the case of DM)
- Acute local infection
- Active growth plates (adolescents)
- Cortisone therapy up to six weeks before first treatment in the target area
- Implanted cardiac stents and heart valves
- Joint replacements
What evidence is there to support the use of shockwave therapy ?
The use of Shockwave Therapy has been found to safely and successfully treat a range of musculoskeletal conditions, supported by a wealth of clinical experience and scientific evidence.
More details can be found on our Shockwave Therapy Evidence page here.
More details can be found on our Shockwave Therapy Evidence page here.
Therapy Sequence
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment. The application is simple and easy in 3 steps:
Location of the area to be treated The area to be treated is located using palpation in order to deliver the therapy precisely. |
Gel application Sufficient amount of gel is applied to the area located in step 1. Use of gel is necessary to transfer the acoustic waves efficiently and smoothly. |
Therapy initiation The Shockwave applicator is slightly pushed against the area to be treated and the start button is pressed. |
Mechanism of Action
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Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to painful spots and myoskeletal tissues having subacute, subchronic and chronic conditions. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues. Shockwaves are characterized by jump change in pressure, high amplitude and non-periodicity. The kinetic energy of the projectile, created by compressed air, is transferred to the transmitter at the end of the applicator and further into the tissue. |
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Medical Effects
Acoustic waves with high energy used in Shockwave therapy interact with tissue causing an overall medical effects of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, analgesia and mobility restoration.
All the processes mentioned in this section are typically employed simultaneously and are used to treat chronic,
sub-acute and acute conditions.
All the processes mentioned in this section are typically employed simultaneously and are used to treat chronic,
sub-acute and acute conditions.
New Blood Vessel Formation Nutrient blood flow is required to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue. The application of acoustic waves creates capillary microruptures in tendon and bone. LEARN MORE |
Reversal of Chronic Inflammation Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be elevated by using pervasive acoustic waves. LEARN MORE |
Stimulation of Collagen Production The production of ample amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged myoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Shockwave therapy accelerates procollagen synthesis. LEARN MORE |
Dissolution of Calcified Fibroblasts Calcium build-up is most often the result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications. LEARN MORE |
Dispersion of Pain Mediator “Substance P” Substance P is a neurotransmitter that mediates pain information through the C-fibers. This neuropeptide is generally associated with intense, persistent and chronic pain. LEARN MORE |
Release of Trigger Points Trigger points are the principal cause of pain in the back, neck, shoulder and limbs. Delivered acoustic energy unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases the trigger points. LEARN MORE |