What is Shockwave Therapy?
Known in full as Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT), it is a treatment method that uses high-energy sound pressure waves to stimulate the body’s own healing response. It is a highly effective treatment option for areas of the body which are commonly challenging to heal, like tendinopathies.
Who can benefit from Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave has been proven effective for the following conditions:
- Frozen shoulder, aka adhesive capsulitis
- Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow, aka epicondylitis
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs
- Jumper’s knee, aka patellar tendonitis
- Chronic Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Chronic Myofascial Trigger Points
How does it work?
Basically, a rod is knocked back and forth within a tube, and compresses air at the end of the tube at very high speed, creating sound pressure waves. These waves of energy travel through the skin, and as they spread through the area of application, they cause tiny bubbles to form and collapse in the tissue instantaneously. The collapse of these bubbles strongly stimulates connective tissue cells related to blood vessel, tendon, and bone formation and repair.
In response to this stimulation, there is a rapid growth of blood vessels at the site of injury, increasing the rate of healing and scar repair. In addition, the shock waves help to break down calcific deposits in the tissues, resolving chronic tendinopathies and bone spur formation.
What can I expect?
Shockwave treatments take about 15 minutes. You may feel some mild discomfort during the treatment, and in the next 2-3 days post-treatment. This is normal and healthy – it’s your body’s healing process taking place!
Each person and condition is unique, but most will begin showing results after 2-4 treatments with shockwave.