Advanced Physiotherapy and Wellness Center
Advanced Physiotherapy and Wellness Center
Shock Wave Therapy
Shock wave therapy is thought to work by inducing microtrauma to the tissue that is affected by these problems. This micro trauma initiates a healing response by the body.
The healing response causes blood vessel formation and increase delivery of nutrients to the affected area. The microtrauma is thought to simulate a repair process and relive the symptoms of pain.
Shock Wave Therapy is used most with the following orthopedic conditions.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinitis)
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Achilles tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff pain
- Chronic pain
- Stress fractures (bone healing)
- Morton’s Neuroma
How does shockwave therapy work?
Shockwave therapy works by emitting high energy pulses. These pulses of acoustic energy are focused on the target tissues by the handpiece / applicator of the shockwave therapy machine and are believed to cause localized microtrauma that stimulates the bodies natural healing processes.The shock waves are believed to stimulate angiogenesis / neovascularization (new blood vessels) and neurogenesis (new nerve cells). The microtrauma increases local circulation and enhances breakdown of calcifications (calcium build-up).
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
Shockwave therapy should not cause you pain. Occasionally, if the area being treated is already very painful, some increase in discomfort may be experienced during treatment. The intensity of the shockwaves can be controlled by the therapist using the machine in such a way that discomfort can be minimized.
How long is a typical shockwave therapy treatment?
The actual application of the shockwave therapy typically only lasts for around 5 minutes.
How is shockwave therapy different from therapeutic ultrasound?
Shockwave therapy and ultrasound are quite similar in many respects. However, shockwave therapy has a much higher-pressure amplitude and uses individual pulses instead of the oscillating wave of energy usually used in therapeutic ultrasound.