Shockwave Therapy

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. These sound waves are focused on the affected area of the body, where they promote the growth of new blood vessels and tissue regeneration. This type of therapy has been used for a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, and certain types of soft tissue damage. These waves are transferred via an applicator pulsing approximately 2000 times over a 2-5 minute period.

Conditions Treated by Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy has been shown to be effective for a wide range of conditions, including:

1. Plantar fasciitis - a painful condition that affects the heel and bottom of the foot.
2. Tennis elbow - a type of repetitive strain injury that affects the elbow.
3. Shoulder tendinitis - an inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder.
4. Achilles tendinitis - an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
5. Chronic pain - shockwave therapy has been shown to be effective for treating chronic pain in various parts of the body.

What does Shockwave Therapy feel like?

During the treatment, you may feel a mild discomfort or a sensation of pressure in the treated area. However, most patients report that the discomfort is manageable, and the treatment is not painful. In fact, many patients report feeling a sense of relief after the treatment, as the therapy stimulates the body's natural healing processes.

Overall, shockwave therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for many musculoskeletal conditions. If you are suffering from chronic pain or a soft tissue injury, talk to your Physiotherapist to see if shockwave therapy might be right for you.

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What can Shockwave Therapy help with?

Numerous studies have shown shockwave to be effective for tendon problems such as calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, gluteal tendinopathy, hamstring tendinopathy, patella tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee), Achille’s tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis.

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Does it hurt?

Many patients will feel immediate pain relief following the shockwave therapy session. The frequency and intensity of the shocks can be adjusted though to ensure the session is kept within a comfortable level as it is not designed to be a painful treatment. Getting these settings right is important to get the right effect and to minimise any skin irritation from the treatment.

How many sessions are needed?

Most patients require around 5 sessions of shockwave therapy, spaced out every 1-2 weeks.

What is the cost?

We provide Shockwave Therapy at no additional cost to our regular consultation fees.

Is there anything else I can do to help my tendon pain?

Yes, a well designed exercise program that progressively increases the load on the tendon is one of the best ways to strengthen the tendons and regain function. This should be done together with identifying and reducing any excessive strain on the tendons that can occur with training errors, poor postures and positions, and compensatory movement patterns.

At Willoughby Health, our Chiropractors and Physiotherapists can comprehensively assess your tendon condition and provide Shockwave Therapy if required. To make a booking, call us on 02 9190 7588 or book an appointment online now.

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