Shockwave Therapy
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non invasive, effective, evidence based treatment for those that struggle with joint and tendon disorders. A non-electrical, high energy wave passes through the body via a hand held probe producing a quick increase in blood circulation targeting the area and stimulating a healing response.
What does Shockwave Therapy treat?
Shockwave Therapy can be effective for a wide range of soft tissue and bony conditions including but mainly for chronic tendinopathy that hasn’t responded to more conservative treatments. Chronic tendinopathy presents with pain around the tendon and can affect everyone from professional athletes to once a week walkers.
The main areas, but not inclusively, that we treat are:
- Tennis/golfers elbow
- Hamstring tendon
- Quadricep (thigh muscle) tendon
- Patella tendon (knee cap tendon)
- Lateral (outside) hip pain arising from the gluteal tendon
- Ankle tendons
- Rotator cuff injuries of the Shoulder
- Chronic Achilles tendon
- Plantar fasciitis
- Calcific tendon problems of the elbow
Why have Shockwave Therapy?
- Shockwave Therapy is used when an injury has not responded as we would like to the first line approach of treatments, like strengthening exercises, ice, load management, insoles, sports massage etc.
- It is the next step for someone before considering more invasive options like injections or surgery, all which carry increased risks, longer recovery and higher costs.
- Shockwave Therapy is delivered without the need for any anaesthetic
- Minimal rest post treatment – most patients take a day or two off after treatment
- No risk of infection
What should I expect?
If it is thought necessary, after a 45 minute initial assessment by one of our Physiotherapists, for Shockwave Therapy to be used on your injury, the treatment sessions will be 15 minutes long with the actual treatment lasting between 5 and 10 minutes. The device is a little noisy and treatment can be uncomfortable, but speak to your therapist if it becomes too sore as the intensity can be reduced. Most patients report that their pain is significantly reduced after just 1 treatment.
When Shockwave Therapy is delivered a gel will be applied to the probe, the gel allows better transmission of the sound waves to the injured area. The next step is the probe touching the skin, over the injured body part and sound waves are generated by the touch of a button.
Side effects from Shockwave Therapy are very limited. You may experience mild bruising, swelling, pain, numbness or tingling in the area being treated. Recovery time is minimal when compared to injections or surgical intervention.
How many treatments will I need?
N.I.C.E. guidelines recommend that you receive 4-6 sessions to allow the radial shockwaves to effectively treat the injury. Your Physiotherapist will guide you on the number of sessions you may require, but we normally recommend 4 sessions at a weekly interval. In most cases this is enough but some injuries do require further sessions.
Evidence does show that Shockwave Therapy alongside an individually tailored rehab programme produces the best results, and so you will be advised on the type of rehab exercises to do and at what frequency and volume.
Costs
Following the N.I.C.E guidelines we offer a package of 4 session for £280.00 . If you require more sessions we do an additional 2 session for £140.00 . Individual top up sessions are £75.00.
When shouldn’t you have Shockwave Therapy?
- You have a blood clotting disorder and/or take blood thinning or anticoagulant medications such as aspirin (75mg on a daily basis) or warfarin.
- You have a nerve disorder.
- You’re pregnant.
- You have or have had any kind of bone cancer.
