Shockwave Therapy: An Innovative Treatment for Pain Management

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), commonly known as shockwave therapy, is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to promote the healing of a variety of musculoskeletal problems. It is frequently applied in physiotherapy, sports medicine, and orthopaedics.

How does shockwave therapy work?

If you are wondering, ‘What does shockwave treatment do?’ SWT is a cutting-edge treatment that makes use of acoustic waves to disintegrate soft tissue calcifications, promote collagen production, and accelerate the healing process. This therapy helps boost blood circulation in the body and repairs a wide array of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. ESWT does not necessitate any incisions or downtime. Most people get long-term results after only three 15-minute treatments. High-energy and low-energy shockwave therapies both function by sending Acoustic pulses to the affected area.

Are you wondering, ‘How effective is shockwave treatment?’ According to relevant studies, shockwave treatment is known to be effective and safe.

Shockwave therapy can be used to treat:

• Increase circulation in injured soft tissues
• Breakdown of calcifications
• Stimulate the cells that produce new bone and connective tissue improving regeneration and neovascularisation
• Overstimulating nerve terminals in the afflicted location reduces pain

Benefits of shockwave therapy

Here are a few popular benefits of shockwave therapy:

• Dissolve the calcified tissue
  Shockwave therapy can help break down calcifications or deposits of calcium crystals that can form within tendons or other soft tissues. It can be particularly useful in conditions like calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

• Increased blood flow
  The acoustic waves promote blood vessel formation (neovascularization) and improve blood circulation in the treated area. Enhanced blood flow can facilitate the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors to the injured tissues, aiding in the healing process.

• Promote collagen production
  Shockwave therapy has been demonstrated to stimulate the development of new collagen, which can result in faster healing times. Collagen is a crucial protein in connective tissue healing. It oversees giving wounded tissues power and support whilst they mend. When there is an injury, collagen production increases to heal and replace damaged tissue. This procedure is necessary for proper healing and aids in the prevention of further injury.

• Pain reduction
  Shockwave therapy can help alleviate pain by decreasing the sensitivity of pain receptors and disrupting the pain signals being transmitted. It can be effective in managing chronic pain conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, and myofascial trigger points.

• Non-invasive and safe
  When compared to other treatment alternatives, such as surgery or injections, shockwave therapy is fully non-invasive and relatively safe, as even minimally invasive procedures carry the risk of consequences. As a result, it is suggested for many patients, particularly those who do not want to cope with side effects or hazards associated with treatment.

What does shockwave therapy cost?

Each therapy costs between £100 and £150 per session. For individuals wondering, ‘How many shockwave therapies do I need?’, you will need one treatment weekly for three weeks. If the sessions show improvement, they can be continued to achieve the desired level of results.

Side effects of shockwave therapy

If you are wondering, ‘Are there any other side effects?’, you shouldn’t expect many side effects from shockwave therapy. Consider the treatment to be like an ultrasound, although you may experience some discomfort at the site of the therapy. Furthermore, it is critical that this treatment be recommended by a licensed expert and that you only receive shockwave therapy from a skilled physiotherapist.

If you are wondering, ‘Is shockwave therapy painful’? you may feel minor bruising or pain in the area where you were treated. However, when the area heals, this impact should be confined to numbness and moderate oedema. Serious adverse effects are unusual and should be reported to your physiotherapist.

Conclusion

Looking for the best physiotherapist to provide you with shockwave therapy? Visit Southgate Physio to schedule an appointment with one of our physiotherapists, who are trained to treat and heal multiple physical concerns. You can talk with them to know who should have shockwave therapy.

If you want to know more, feel free to get in touch with us by calling 0208 3686767 or emailing us at info@southgatephysio.co.uk

Physiotherapy Services We Offer

Our clinic offers a wide range of treatments that are all recommended and tailored to everyone who comes and visits us. Our range of treatments complements the body and mind, helping to keep you pain and injury-free, delivering preventative measures to maintain your well-being and enhance your performance levels.

Our main aim is to restore your personal well-being so you can enjoy an active, healthy, and pain-free life. Click on any of the services to find out a little more about each treatment and understand if it might be right for you.

• Home Visit Physiotherapy
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Injuries Treatment
• Pain Management
• Pilates
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave Therapy
• Theraflex
• Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation
• Elderly Rehabilitation
• Sports Massage
• Online Video Consultation
• Sports Physiotherapy