Helping Improve Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions

 

What are Shockwaves and how do they work?

Radial shockwaves are introduced into the body by means of a freely moved applicator and cover the entire pain region. Radial shockwaves are often referred to as radial pressure waves, which is the correct definition in physical terms.

The pathological association between pain and muscle tone and vascular tone is broken as a result of shock wave therapy and the strong stimuli it produces, thus enabling natural movement patterns to be remembered and recalled.
 

91% improvement for Calcific Tendonitis - Journal of American Medical Association, 2003

90% success rate for Plantar Fasciitis - Foot & Ankle International, 2012

77% improvement forTennis Elbow - The Journal of Orthopaedics, 2005

76% success rate for AchillesTendinopathy - The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007

8 times more effective for HamstringTendinopathy than regular Physiotherapy and Chiropractic treatment - The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010

 

Conditions that can be treated by Shockwave Therapy

  • Plantar Fasciitis/ Heel Spur
  • Achilles Tendinopathy
  • Myofascial Trigger Points
  • Jumper's Knee
  • Stress Fractures
  • Bursitis
  • Hallux Rigidus
  • Shin Splints
  • Non-Healing Ulcers
  • Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
  • Scar Tissue Treatment
  • Muscle and connective tissue activation with V-ACTOR.
  • Osgood-Schlatter
  • HamstringTendinopathy
  • Tennis Elbow


How long will it take?

Many patients report improvement after a single treatment, but most conditions take 3-6 treatments of Shockwave combined with other forms of Physiotherapy over a 6 week period.

 

Contraindications include?

  • Pregnancy
  • Haemophilia or other coagulation disorders
  • Acute inflammation
  • Disturbed sensory and nervous function, eg. Diabetes
  • Corticosteroid injections – wait minimum of 6 weeks after local injections
  • Malignancy
  • Prostheses and implants

Your physiotherapist will be able to advise you further.

 

What are the side effects of Shockwave Therapy?

Side effects could occur after a treatment. The majority will appear after 1-2 days.

Common side effects include

  • Reddening
  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Heamatoma (bruising)
  • Petechia (red spots)

Speak to your therapist before taking any pain relief.

These side effects usually abate after 5 to 10 days.