Are you struggling with an ongoing or long-term injury?
Shockwave Therapy may be the solution for you!
Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is an effective and non-invasive treatment for injured soft tissue, specifically tendon and plantar fascia. Originally developed in the 1990s, it's now successfully used to treat many musculoskeletal conditions, and is usually employed when an injury reaches a chronic non-healing state. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy treatment is often considered a second-line treatment option after conservative treatments.
At Recover Physio, we pride ourselves in not providing ‘gimmicky’ treatments, so you won’t find many electro therapies in our clinics, as most do not have the scientific research to back them up. Shockwave Therapy, however, has become a popular and proven form of treatment, so it is one that we regularly use at our clinic in Norwich.
Why shockwave therapy?
A safe alternative to surgery or steroid injections, Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven to stimulate metabolic reactions, reducing pain and provoking an acute phase of healing. It has been proven to have a high rate of success with conditions that are otherwise difficult to treat, such as chronic tendon issues and very painful injuries.
It is particularly effective for treating plantar fasciitis and most tendon conditions, including achilles tendinopathy, hamstring, patellar, gluteal and tennis elbow tendinopathies.
How does shockwave therapy work?
Shockwave targets injured tissue with specially calibrated shockwaves. These create tiny cavitation bubbles in the tissue which then burst and stimulate blood flow, stem cell activity and pain reducing enzymes in the treated area. This results in pain relief, as well as stimulating long-term tissue repair. Additionally, it aids in stimulating cell regeneration and the healing process.
Your therapist will apply ultrasound gel to the treatment area, and using a handheld device, will apply light pressure. The device turns compressed air into sound waves which stimulate blood flow in the treatment area, helping cells to repair and regenerate and restarting the healing process that is limited in chronic conditions.
In summary, shockwave therapy changes your chronic condition back into an acute one, stimulating the body’s healing response.
How can it help me?
Shockwave Therapy, in the right hands, can be the difference between a chronic tendon issue stopping you from being active, to you doing the things you want to do again. Shockwave therapy is suitable for treating chronic non-healing injuries.
It is excellent at treating:
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Patella Tendinopathy
- Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
- Hip Tendinopathy
- Shoulder Tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow
- Back pain
The problem is that some clinicians promote it as a ‘cure all’ treatment. The truth is that it is excellent at treating these conditions, but only at specific times in their development. The good news is that we can assess and recognise when these specific times are and use Shockwave accordingly to get you excellent results.
Can anyone benefit from shockwave therapy treatment?
Shockwave therapy is a trusted and effective treatment, but it's not suitable for everyone. This treatment is not suitable if:
- You're pregnant
- You have a nerve disorder
- You have or have had any kind of bone cancer
- You have any metal plates or pins in the treatment area
- You have an infection in the treatment area
- You've received a steroid injection in the last 12 weeks
- You have a blood clotting disorder and/or take medication such as aspirin or warfarin
Does shockwave therapy work for scar tissue?
Unlike normal elasticated tissue, scar tissue is not elastic and can prevent normal movement that can weaken unaffected surrounding tissue, which can be a source of pain or further damage. Shockwave therapy increases blood flow and breaks down scar tissue. This helps to promote normal healing and a reduction in pain, stimulating cell regeneration.
Is shockwave therapy painful?
While Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment, it can cause a little pain or discomfort, localised in the treatment area during the procedure. Fortunately, the shockwave device can be adjusted to help manage discomfort, and each treatment session only lasts a few minutes.
How should I prepare for shockwave therapy treatment?
We recommend that you arrive for your treatment wearing loose fitting clothing that's easy to move around in. Depending on the area requiring treatment, you may be required to lay on your front, which can be easier when not restricted by clothing.
Shockwave therapy work involves multiple treatment sessions, and understanding the process and duration is crucial.
If you have been told that Shockwave Therapy may work for you, or you want to find out more about it, you can speak to one of our friendly therapists. Just click below to request a callback from a member of our team to find out more!
Shockwave Therapy Treatment in Norwich
If you'd like to book an initial shockwave therapy consultation, you can book online at our Princes Street clinic in Norwich, Norfolk.