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Shockwave Therapy
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We are pleased to be able to offer Shockwave treatment at Sportswise.

 

Therapeutic shockwave treatment is used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems but is particularly helpful for those conditions where the tissue attaches to bone.

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Our state-of-the-art machine has individualised programmes to treat each condition. Therapeutic shockwaves were introduced over twenty years ago as a medical treatment for eliminating kidney stones without causing skin injury.

 

Some of the beneficial side effects on areas submitted to shockwave treatment were found to be bone healing and also accelerated tissue healing.

 

Today the use of radial shockwaves or Radial Pressures Waves (RPW) has been successfully extended to other therapeutic and wellness applications.

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How does it work?

 

The mechanism of action is thought to be:

  • Mechanical stimulation

  • Producing increased local blood flow in the damaged tissue

  • Increase in activity of cells responsible for healing

  • Transient analgesic (pain killing) effect on nerves

  • Breaking down calcific deposits (primarily, but not exclusively in tendon)

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Common Conditions Suitable to Treat

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  • Heel pain - Plantar Fascitis/fasciopathy

  • Achilles and Patellar tendon

  • Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (‘shin splints’)

  • Lateral Hip Pain – Trochanteric Enthesopathy/Bursitis – where the gluteal muscles attach to the bone on the femur

  • Tennis Elbow

  • Golfer’s Elbow

  • Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder – an acutely painful condition of the shoulder tendons where calcium forms in the tendon

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It can also be used to treat:

  • Muscle trigger points

  • Tight muscle and connective tissue bands

  • Lymphatic drainage

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​Advantages Over Other Procedures

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  • RPW treatment is non-invasive - no needles or surgery are required

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  • Quick to administer- approximately 15-20 minutes per session, 4-6 sessions usually required

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  • Well tolerated and few complications

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  • Reported side effects are minimal

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  • Significant benefit can often be seen 6-8 weeks after treatment

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Cautions and Contra-indications

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There are certain situations where Radial Pulse Wave Shockwave is not appropriate.

If any of these are applicable to you please notify your therapist.

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  • If there is infection in the local area

  • Over the lungs

  • In bleeding disorders like Haemophilia or people taking anticoagulant therapy e.g. warfarin

  • Tumours                                                                     

  • Implanted cardiac stents, pacemakers and implanted heart valves 

  • Joint replacement (only in the area to be treated)

  • Children – it is not used over active growth plates in bones

  • Pregnancy

  • Cortisone therapy up to 6 weeks before 1st treatment

 

The last point may influence the choice of treatment for conditions where shockwave and injection may be appropriate.

 

If you have RPW treatment first you can proceed to injection treatment if it does not work adequately, but you would need to wait six weeks after an injection before starting RPW.

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Possible Side-Effects

 

You should be aware that there may be some transient side effects to this treatment that should resolve in a few days. These are:

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  • Reddening

  • Swelling

  • Mild pain

  • Haematoma (bruising) or Petechiae (red spots)

  • Skin bruising may be more pronounced if you have had previous cortisone (steroid) treatment

  • Tingling and numbness

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Post-treatment soreness

 

If there is any significant soreness over the affected area after treatment, then you can apply ice for 10 minutes over the affected area every 3 to 4 hours.

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You may take simple analgesics, such as paracetamol, but we advise not to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or diclofenac but might interfere with the body’s natural healing process.

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How many sessions are required?

 

Normally at least 3 treatment sessions at about weekly intervals, and a minimum of 5 days between treatments, are required but often 4-6 sessions are needed for chronic cases.

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Who will carry out the treatment?

 

The shockwave therapy will be carried out by a trained practitioner that may be a doctor or physiotherapist.  Some insurance companies require it to be a doctor.

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Our Sportswise safety protocol requires that for all conditions, other than Tennis or Golfer's Elbow, you must have a diagnosis confirmed by the doctor using diagnostic ultrasound before undergoing RPW treatment to ensure that this is a suitable condition for this treatment.

 

If you have any further questions then please discuss it with your practitioner.

If you would like to make an appointment or have any questions please contact the administration team.
Telephone: 01323 745970 • E-Mail: reception@sportswise.org.uk

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