Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy In Bicton

Shockwave therapy has been around since the 1980s and was originally used to break up kidney stones. In the last two decades the technology has been applied to musculoskeletal problems and is used to “kick start” the natural healing process, reduce pain and start recovery.

In our Bicton Clinic Shockwave Therapy is used as part of treatment for:

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Shoulder Tendinopathy

  • Tennis Elbow

  • Golfer’s Elbow

  • Patellar Tendinopathy

  • Runner’s Knee

  • Achilles Tendinopathy

  • Calcific Tendonitis

And many more.

Often we use Shockwave Therapy with other Chiropractic Techniques.

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How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Shockwave therapy works by sending high-energy sound waves into the target soft tissues to stimulate a healing response that has stalled. Those pressure waves create controlled mechanical stress in the tissue, which increases blood flow, breaks up disorganised scar tissue, and stimulates the cells responsible for repair.

It also disrupts the nerve signalling that drives chronic pain, which is why many people feel relief before the tissue has fully healed. This mechanism is well-described in the sports medicine literature, including work by Gerdesmeyer et al. (2008) on plantar fasciitis.

Treatment is usually 1000-2000 shocks over 2-4 minutes. Some of our patients experience relief immediately but some chronic conditions may take 4-5 sessions to get significant relief from their pain.

Who Can’t Have Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy is generally considered safe for patients with acute or chronic tissue pain except for:

  • Pregnant Women

  • People with Blood Clotting Disorders.

  • People on Blood Thinning Medication.

  • Tissue with local tumours or infection.

  • People who have had cortisone in the last 6 weeks. Cortisone blocks all inflammation and healing in the injected tissue.

  1. Pain Relief

  2. Improved Mobility

  3. Non-invasive

  4. Short treatment time

  5. It can stimulate healing and increase blood flow

  6. Can reduce inflammation

  7. Can break down calcifications

  8. It can reduce muscle spasm

What Are The Potential Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?

What Are The Potential Risks of Shockwave Therapy?

  1. Bruising or swelling

  2. Skin irritation or redness at the site of treatment

  3. Tingling or numbness

  4. Temporary pain or discomfort during or after the treatment

  5. Nerve or tissue damage but this is rare.

How Many Shockwave Treatments will I need?

The average number of treatments required is 6-8 sessions spaced out by 5-7 days. Our personal preference in the Bicton Clinic is 7 days where possible.

Recovery time and rehabilitation after shockwave therapy can vary depending on the condition being treated, how long you have had it and where it is in the body.

Generally, patients can return to their normal activities immediately following each session. Some mild discomfort or pain may be experienced in the treated area for a few days following the therapy. In general, recovery times after therapy are quite fast.

In our clinic rehabilitation usually commences, when necessary, several weeks after starting care, once the tissues have had time to heal and we are confident that rehabilitative exercise safe to commence.

What Machine Do You Use In The Bicton Clinic?

We use The Chattanooga RPW 2 Intelect.

RPW stands for Radial Pressure Waves.

Medical device on a stainless steel table with a small container of water on the side.