Shockwave Therapy is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment used in orthopaedics, physiotherapy, sports medicine, urology and veterinary medicine. It is a handheld device which shifts energy to painful areas, promoting the body to heal itself. Its vital benefits are fast pain relief and mobility restoration. This makes it an ideal treatment to speed up recovery and cure numerous indications causing acute or chronic pain which may be affecting your daily life.
Shockwave Therapy is safe and has NICE guidance for a large number of indications and when performed by qualified therapists, is largely risk-free.
What is Shockwave treatment?
Shockwaves are high-energy soundwaves which are transmitted to the area being treated to aid and accelerate healing. The energy increases blood flow, decreases localised pain and stimulates cell generation and reperative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues. Overall encouraging the body to repair itself. Shockwaves also break down injured tissue and calcifications.
Does the treatment hurt?
During treatment you may experience slight discomfort, dependent on the level of pain the patient is already experiencing in the area. However, the intensity of the treatment can be adjusted throughout the session and treatment lasts only about five minutes so most patients will be able to tolerate the discomfort.
After the treatment, most patients experience immediate pain relief. Yet, within 2-4 hours they may encounter some soreness in the treaed area. If so, you may use ordinary non-prescription painkillers such as paracetamol. Do not use anti-inflammatory medication or Ibuprofen as both may interfere with the body’s self-healing process.
It is recommended that patients do not partake in physical activity for about 48 hours, following treatment.
How often will you need treatment?
Most indications require 3-6 treatments, which are completed 3-10 days apart. This is dependent on the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative so you will typically need more than one session alone. Very often, you will experience relief straight away.
Treatable indications
- Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Back Pain, Elbow Pain, Hand Pain, Hip Pain, Hamstring Pain, Knee Pain
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantar Fascitis (Heel Pain)
- Calcifications
- Epicondylitis (Tennis or Golfers Elbow)
- Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
- Heel Spur
- Insertional Pain
- Chronic Tendinopathy
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Shockwave is unsuitable in the following circumstances
- If you are pregnant
- If you have a blood clotting disorder (including thrombosis)
- If you are taking oral anti-coagulants
- If you have received a Steroid injection within 6 weeks
- If you have a pacemaker fitted
- If tumours are present at the treatment site
- If you have an injection or skin abrasion at the treatment site
- If you are Under 18 (except in the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease)
Price
£80 per session.
The Chislehurst Clinic are happy to answer any questions.