What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy is a treatment that can be used to help with a wide range of problems, relating to:

• Tendons & Ligament Pain,
• Soft Tissue Injuries,
• Skeletal Muscles Issues, and
• Bone & Joints Pain

Shockwave therapy is a device that has applications in podiatry, orthopaedics, physical therapy, sports medicine, urology, and veterinary medicine.

The therapy involves delivering high-frequency shock waves to the wounded tendon in order to stimulate recovery.

For many years, shockwave therapy has been used as an alternative to invasive operations or standard rehabilitation.

What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a pain-relieving, non-surgical treatment that uses shock waves to repair injured soft tissue.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

ESWT operates on several levels. Pain is initially reduced by hyperstimulation anesthesia, which reduces nerve pain impulses sent to the brain. The therapy works by reducing the number of pain mediators released by nerve endings, resulting in less pain.

By improving blood flow to the damaged area, this supplement also helps to minimize local inflammation, reduce swelling and enhance soft tissue recovery.

Although the shockwave energy is focused in one region, it expands wave-like within the body to repair nearby areas. The microtrauma caused by shockwave therapy encourages a variety of mechanisms that both irritate and heal.

Who is Shockwave Therapy Suitable for?

Shockwave Therapy is appropriate for injuries that do not respond to conservative treatment, such as:

• Rest or Pain Medications
• Physical Therapy

Shockwave Therapy can be used

• To induce prompt and continuing repair soon after the onset of injury
• For the treatment of older injuries with visible tissue damage.
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What Medical Conditions Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinopathy
• Bursitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Golfer’s Elbow
• Tendonitis
• Patellar Tendinosis (Jumper’s Knee)
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Chronic Stress/Non-union Fractures

Shockwave Therapy Side Effects

You may suffer some adverse effects, but they are uncommon and usually minor. These could include:

• Mild bruising
• Swelling
• Pain
• Numbness or tingling in the treated area
• Recovery is minimal compared with that of surgical intervention

What are the Risks of Shockwave Therapy?

The technique is safe and can be repeated multiple weeks in a row for best results. There are essentially no negative effects to shockwave therapy.

What does Shockwave Therapy include?

Shockwave Therapy is often performed in the clinic, with the patient relaxing comfortably throughout.

The Shockwave device sends acoustic shock waves through the skin, stimulating natural tissue restoration mechanisms. A session consists of the following steps:

• The target location is identified, marked, and ultrasonic gel is administered.
• A local anaesthetic is sometimes used.
• A hand-held probe is moved over the affected site's skin.
• The device is delicately placed on the skin.
• In one microsecond, the sound waves are transmitted in pulses.
• As a result, the therapy can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.

The severity of the conditions will determine the number and strength of the sound waves.

Complete treatment may require 2-5 weekly sessions of therapy.

What is the success rate of Shockwave Therapy?

ESWT and studying the mechanisms of action in tendon problems are increasingly gaining popularity. Different types of tendinitis have different success rates, but they generally range from 60% to 80%.

How long does it take to recover from Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy normally does not require any recovery time.

The local pain in the area fades quickly. After three months of treatment, the doctor may encourage you to schedule a follow-up session.

Depending on the ailment being treated, some places may require more stringent rest for a longer length of time. Prior to treatment, your doctor will go over this with you.

Because of the nature of the treatment, the body's natural healing process will last several months.

Next Step

Call Eastpoint Podiatry at Edgecliff on (02) 9362 4111 or visit the Eastpoint Podiatry website to book a time.