- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
- Patella tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow
- Chronic muscle strains
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
What is it?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) was originally used to break down kidney stones but a noticed side effect was an increase in tissue healing in the treatment area and it has increasingly been used to treat chronic tendon injuries. There is an increasing body of evidence to support this treatment. These injuries are notorious for poor treatment outcomes. Shockwave Therapy offers a non-invasive alternative to surgery that treats the pathology of the injury instead of just the symptoms.
What does it treat?
How does it work?
The physiotherapist will use a handheld applicator over the effected area to admit radial pressure waves that penetrate to the tissue below. These waves create a noxious stimulus that triggers normal tissue healing.
What do treatments involve?
Our physiotherapists offer Shockwave Therapy as an adjunct to traditional physiotherapy treatment such as stretching, self mobilisation, education, manual therapy, iontophoresis and a strengthening programs. Depending on the injury, you will need 3-5 sessions over a fortnight.
Contradictions
- Pregnancy
- Haemophilia/coagulation disorders
- Acute inflammation
- Malignancy
- Prosthesis/implants
If you have any of the above contradictions please speak to one of our physiotherapists about alternative treatments.
Side Effects
The following side effects can appear within 1-2 days but usually disappear after 5-10 days.
- Reddening
- Swelling
- Pain
- Haematoma (bruising)
- Petechia (red spots)