What is shockwave therapy?

This is a treatment recommended as a substitute to surgery or for those who haven’t responded to physiotherapy type treatments or other interventions​ such as rest and pain relief.

Shockwave therapy works by sending energy impulses to abnormal tendons or damaged tissue. Shockwave speeds up the body’s natural healing process. Treatment increases metabolic activities such as blood flow, stimulates cell regeneration and healing and decreases symptoms from painful conditions.

Conditions:

At Wellbeing and Health Physio we use shockwave therapy to treat conditions related to neck pain (Myofascial pain syndrome), shoulder pain (subacromial pain syndrome, Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder), back pain (idiopathic lower back pain, myofascial pain syndromes, pseudo radicular syndromes), elbow pain (lateral and medial epicondylitis) , hand pain (trigger finger and Carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain disease, Dupuytrens disease)​ , hip pain (greater Trochanteric pain Syndrome), hamstring muscle or tendinopathy, knee pain (osteoarthritis, patella tip syndrome) Osgood-Schlatter disease, Achilles muscle or tendinopathy and plantarfasciopathy.

What happens during shockwave therapy? ​

At your first appointment we will perform an assessment to determine whether this treatment is right for you. Usually you will undertake another course of conservative treatment before trying shockwave therapy. If you haven’t already had one, an MRI or ultrasound scan may be necessary.

What happens during my treatment?

Gel is applied to an area of skin to encourage the benefits of treatment. A probe is pressed around the surrounding area, delivering “shockwaves” which are mechanical low-intensity energy impulses. The shockwaves will gradually increase from a mild administration​ to allow your body to get used to the treatment. If the shockwaves start to bother you, we will adjust the treatment intensity.

During shockwave therapy you may feel slight discomfort or pain, but this is to be expected. After the treatment, you may experience some redness or swelling in the affected area with some people reporting a brief increase in pain within their first session or so. Some people will see results immediately or it may take several weeks to see an overall benefit.

This treatment works differently for everyone. Symptoms can improve almost immediately following your session, or may take up to several weeks. You can immediately pursue your usual activities but it is important to keep in mind that 48 hours following shockwave therapy you cannot undergo any strenuous, pain-provoking activities or high-impact exercise.

If j  you find that this treatment is not working for you, we will then discuss other options that may be available to you.

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