Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a safe, effective and evidenced based treatment for pain and musculoskeletal injuries. As a relatively new treatment modality in musculoskeletal medicine, shockwave therapy has gained a strong reputation as the go to therapy for chronic dysfunction and pain in certain tissues.

Shockwaves have previously been used amongst the medical community since the 1970s for treatment of conditions like Kidney Stones though more recently research has shown the benefits of this type of therapy for assisting with tissue healing in bone, ligament, fascia, muscle and tendon. This type of treatment is now well evidenced and supported with a wide range of clinical studies and Shockwave therapy is also recommended on the National Institute of Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) guidelines for tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and achilles tendinopathy.

How does it work?

A shockwave is an intense short energy wave that travels faster than the speed of sound. Once this wave contacts musculoskeletal tissue, a chain of physiological effects occur which results in the facilitation of the healing process. Shockwaves assist with the bodies ability to break down tissue that has become injured and is failing to heal. Scar tissue and calcifications are then broken down, and increased blood circulation to the area is initiated which in turn accelerates the body’s own healing processes. In a sense, the shockwave stimulates your body’s own healing response without the need for medications.

Does it hurt?

At Great Northern Physiotherapy we have state of the art Shockwave machine that uses the latest electromagnetic technology to produce a very strong shockwave with limited discomfort to the patient in comparison to more traditional machines which use pneumatic delivery of shockwave.

What happens at my first appointment?

Following an initial consultation with a member of our physiotherapy team, we identify the root cause of your problem through a physical assessment and, where appropriate, diagnostic ultrasound. During treatment, the applicator is typically applied directly to dry skin, though a silicone cover and oil can be used for more sensitive areas. The procedure is completely non-invasive and often delivers significant pain relief from your very first session. To support your recovery, your treatment will also include self-management advice and a tailored home exercise program.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on your condition. Your Physiotherapist will be able to discuss this with you. Shockwave therapy has been shown to have a clinically cumulative effect, with most clinical symptoms resolving after 3-6 sessions, although this does depend upon the nature and severity of the condition.

Each session will last from 15- 30 minutes. You may also be eligible to claim for this service through your health insurance company, please check with your provider.