Shockwave Therapy - What Is It and How Does It Work?

Shockwave Therapy (ST) is a form of non-invasive treatment, typically used for tendon-related injuries. ST produces low frequency pressure waves that pass through the skin to the injured area of the body, most commonly the tendons. ST is mostly used when then tendon is painful or has reduced function.

ST is performed by applying pressure to the area using a hand-held tool, with the higher the pressure, the more energy delivered. Due to the non-invasive nature of the therapy, ST typically requires little to no “recovery time” in the traditional, surgical sense, making it an appealing option for treatment.

ST is typically used to treat the following conditions:

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Tennis Elbow

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Tendinitis

So, how does it work:

Although not fully understood, ST is thought to stimulate healing by provoking an inflammatory response in the targeted tissue, accelerating the body’s natural repair mechanisms. This is done through increasing blood flow and breaking down calcium deposits within the tissue.

What to expect:

Your sessions will typically begin with a 60-minute initial consultation, where it will be confirmed if Shockwave is suitable for you, followed by a first treatment. Your subsequent sessions will typically be 30 minutes long.

It is recommended that your treatment course lasts between 3-5 sessions, as it takes time for the cellular changes to present across the tissue, and prevents the symptoms from returning as quickly.  

There are no significant side effects of Shockwave, but patients can experience low-levels of discomfort both during the treatment and up to 48 hours after treatment.

If you have any further questions, or would like to book in for a Shockwave Therapy session, do not hesitate to contact us.