Shock Wave Therapy

Shock Wave Therapy is fast becoming the preferred method in treating tendon, fascia, muscle and joint injuries. Over 45 different research studies indicate Shock Wave Therapy has a high success rate with these types of chronic conditions that often take a long time to respond with normal conservative management strategies.

If you’re not sure if Shockwave Therapy is the answer to your problem, you will have a fair idea after your first few visits if you’re a good candidate for this type of therapy.

The research shows most pain may subside within 5-7 visits. This will vary depending on a number of variables such as your age, weight, the severity of the injury, how long the injury has been present, aggravating occupational factors (e.g. job requires prolonged standing on hard surfaces etc..) and your general health. One thing will become clear fairly quickly is whether it is worth pursuing this line of treatment.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy:

• Non-Invasive:  Avoid invasive treatments such as steroid injections or surgery incisions. Shockwave therapy uses acoustic shockwaves to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes such as enhancing collagen synthesis, improves blood circulation, releases growth factors as well as breaking up soft tissue calcifications that are generally stubborn to treat. The gentle acoustic waves help break-up non-serving restrictive scar tissue allowing the body to “re-organise” itself improving range of motion and pain levels.
• No Downtime : Shockwave Therapy takes about 10-15 minutes per session. It feels like a deep massage with a gentle “jackhammer” sensation as the acoustic waves “massage” the deep tissues.
• Reduces The Risk of Complications: No incision or no injection site equals no risk of infections and other potential complications.
• Speedy Recovery: Don’t wait for months on end to feel better. Shockwave Therapy accelerates the healing process, often providing relief after just a few sessions.
• Precision Targeting: Shockwave can precisely target the affected area, promoting faster tissue regeneration.
• Minimal Downtime: Say goodbye to lengthy recovery periods, with Shockwave Therapy you can return to your daily activities in no time.

Should shockwave therapy not be the answer to your problem, don’t despair as our Physiotherapist has many other treatment strategies to resolve your chronic pain that interferes with life’s simple pleasures.

What Conditions Best Respond To Shock Wave Therapy?

How does Shock Wave Therapy work?

Shock Wave Therapy essentially consists of high-speed acoustic waves travelling through tissue, stimulating an inflammatory response in stubborn chronic conditions that just seem to hang about. It is not generally used for acute injuries as the body has already triggered an inflammatory response which is a normal initial response to any injured tissue.

Shock Wave Therapy triggers the “C nerve fibres” to release “Substance P” into the tissue as well as the spinal cord (Substance P is a neuropeptide that acts as a mediator/transmitter of pain information into the central nervous system). An easy way to remember it is, “P” for “Pain”. So initially Shock Wave Therapy causes slight discomfort but with prolonged activation (more than a few minutes), the C nerve fibre’s ability to release substance P diminishes which leads to a reduction of pain.

Our Practitioners are not interested in gimmicky expensive technology that tricks the body out of pain, but research is indicating it fosters healing by stimulating the release of growth factors and the activation of stem cells in the treated tissue…. very exciting prospect if the research is right! So in short, it triggers inflammation and numbs the pain whilst healing takes place in the background. Without the activation of stem cells, this technology would only be useful in managing chronic pain that has failed to respond despite all treatment efforts leaving the person dependent on painkillers for life. In short, Shock Wave Therapy offers real hope to heal chronic injuries and/or reduce/eliminate the reliance on painkillers.

The radial shock wave pressure has 2 phases:

• Phase 1: It begins by compressing creating shear stress in the tissue
• Phase 2: It follows a depression or tensile phase generating a cavitation bubble

The compressed air accelerates and strikes the applicator (gun-like handheld tool) at high speed (up to 90km/hr), the kinetic energy is converted into shock waves that are delivered to the target tissue through the skin at a therapeutic depth of 3-5 cm. Depending on the model of the machine and/or the type of applicator, it can reach up to 5-7cm so an important consideration for the larger persons as the 3-5 cm penetration may fall short on its mark rendering the treatment ineffective due to user error.

What are the Contrandications to Shock Wave Therapy?

Shock Wave Therapy should never be applied to lungs or gut (air-filled tissues), ruptured tendons, pregnant women, kids under 18 yrs (except for Osgood-Schlatter), thrombosis or any other blood clotting disorder, persons on anticoagulants, tumours, infections or persons currently treated with cortisone. Providing these contraindications are met, there have been no reports of any harm, so the worst-case scenario is, there will be no change.

General Shock Wave Treatment Protocols

All the research suggests anywhere between 5-7 sessions as each session reduces P Substance incrementally whilst healing takes place in the background. It is also thought the acoustic waves shake up messy randomly laid scar tissue allowing new scar tissue to be laid down in a more orderly fashion reducing the restriction of individual soft tissue fibres.

A well-planned rehab program ensures the new scar tissue develops along the natural fibres of the muscle and tendon not across as this hampers and restricts the natural movement of recovering soft tissue fibres.

Treatment recommendations are based on the research conducted on different types of injuries but like all treatment recommendations, it is a guideline only as some people will respond immediately whilst others need more sessions and others will have no favourable clinical outcomes.

All the research suggests no less than 72 hours (otherwise too much inflammation is stimulated) and no greater than 7 days (as substance P levels will start to rise again).

If a person hasn’t felt any reduction in pain within 5-7 visits, they are most likely not a good candidate for this technology. If improvement is occurring, then further sessions would be warranted. To make an appointment call the clinic on 9380 8099 or book online.