WHAT IS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?
Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to painful spots and myoskeletal tissues with subacute, sub-chronic and chronic conditions. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues. Shockwaves are characterized by jump change in pressure, high amplitude and non-periodicity. The kinetic energy of the projectile, created by compressed air, is transferred to the transmitter at the end of the applicator and further into the tissue. Acoustic waves with high energy peak used in Shockwave therapy interact with tissue causing overall medical effects of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, pain relief and mobility restoration.
WHAT’S THE SCIENCE?
The processes involved with Shockwave therapy occur simultaneously and help to treat chronic, sub-acute and, in advanced cases, acute conditions. These are:
- New blood vessel formation
- Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue. The application of acoustic waves creates capillary micro–ruptures in tendon and bone
- Reversal of chronic inflammation
- Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be increased by using pervasive acoustic waves
- Stimulation of collagen production
- The production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged myoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Shockwave therapy accelerates procollagen synthesis
- Dissolution of calcified fibroblasts
- Calcium build-up is most often the result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications
- Dispersion of pain mediator
- Substance P is a neurotransmitter that mediates pain information through the C-fibres. This neuropeptide is generally associated with intense, persistent and chronic pain
HOW TO BOOK YOUR SHOCKWAVE TREATMENT APPOINTMENT WITH US?
You will need to book an initial appointment with us so we can assess your injury and determine if shockwave is the right treatment for you.
The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so you will typically need more than one (3–5) treatments.
Shockwave Therapy is not a suitable treatment for patients under the following circumstances:
- Acute Muscle tears
- Pregnancy
- Malignancy
- Blood clotting disorders (including thrombosis)
- Taking oral anti-coagulants
- Received a Steroid injection within 6 weeks
- If you have a Pacemaker fitted
- If you have an infection or skin abrasion at the treatment site
