What is Shockwave?
Shockwave is a type of therapy that uses a high powered sound wave to treat chronic or nagging muscle, tendon, calcifications or bony injuries. It sends an acoustic soundwave to the applied area to create a controlled “re-injury” or inflammatory response of the desired targeted tissue or injury area. This works to “reboot” the body’s natural healing process through mechanical and cellular stimulation.
What does it do?
This type of controlled inflammatory response produces a few effects through mechanical and cellular stimulation:
- Increases blood flow to area and creates new blood vessels, this works to improve oxygenation and nutrient delivery to the targeted area
- Tendon repair through stimulating collagen production
- Fracture repair though stimulating bone growth
- Destruction of calcifications within tendons or soft tissues through triggering growth of new lymphatic vessels
- Decreases muscle stiffness
- Pain relief through stimulating thick nerve fibres
- Reverses chronic inflammation
What conditions does it treat?
Shockwave can be used for a variety of muscle, tendon, calcifications or bony injuries. It is typically used for chronic conditions ( > 3 months) that have not responded to other conservative treatment.
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Jumper’s Knee
- Medial or lateral epicondylosis (golfer’s or tennis elbow)
- Chronic and / or Calcific tendonopathy
- Chronic stress fractures
- Shoulder pain with or without calcification
- Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip)
Is Shockwave for Me?
If you are currently suffering from a chronic condition that does not currently have any acute inflammation (redness, swelling), the Shockwave Therapy might be for you.
You will not be suitable for shockwave therapy if you:
- Have had or currently using corticosteroid application in region
- Are currently taking blood thinning medication
- Have an active blood clot in the region
- Have blood clotting or other circulatory disorders
- Are pregnant
- Have a tumor or cancer
- Have areas of known neuropathy
- Have implants (electrical, metal, plastics, etc)
Is Shockwave Covered Under My Physiotherapy Coverage?
Shockwave Therapy is covered under your Extended Health Physiotherapy coverage or out of pocket. Depending on the injury location and type of injury will help to determine the number of sessions required. On average, shockwave therapy is most effective with 6-8 sessions.
Pre and Post Care
As the goal from therapy is to create a controlled re-injury response there are a few things to consider before your appointment and after.
Prior to your appointment:
- Stop using any heat or ice therapy as this can impact the effect of the therapy
- Stop any anti-inflammatory based medications as this can impact the effect of the therapy
- Do not apply any topical creams to this area (biofreeze, voltaren, A535)
After your appointment:
- Avoid using any heat or ice therapy as this can impact the effect of the therapy
- Stop any anti-inflammatory based medications as this can impact the effect of the therapy
- You may experience an increase in pain or discomfort in the days following the treatment session, this is the inflammatory response
