Shockwave Treatment Really Works

How Does Shockwave Treatment Achieve Results?

One principle behind how shockwave treatment (ESWT) achieves great results, is through the generated high pressured acoustic shockwaves travelling through the skin, inducing microtrauma to the targeted tissue. This microtrauma stimulates a healing response in the body. A response which can involve blood vessel formation, improved metabolism, increased nutrient delivery to affected tissue. Activating cell generation, and where appropriate ESWT can also assist in dissolving calcium deposits.

Some Benefits Of Shockwave Treatment

Shockwave therapy is frequently recommended by specialists, doctors and physiotherapists. A non-invasive therapy suitable for use prior to any minimally invasive injections, or surgery. Beyond the obvious benefits around avoiding surgery, hospital admissions, injections, and other pharmaceutical medications… Some of the known benefits of shockwave treatment include:

• An effective therapy with quick results. Requiring as few as 3-6 treatments to achieve great results.
• Rapid pain reduction. Accompanied with improved mobility and functionality.
• Natural, non-invasive treatment approach. Shockwave therapy helps facilitate your own healing ability.
• Used appropriately by trained practitioners, there are minimal potential side effects.

Precautions Regarding The Use Of Shockwave Therapy

It is reasonable to use shockwave therapy for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. With minimal potential side effects it is considered a relatively safe treatment option. To ascertain appropriateness, your physiotherapist will ask specific questions. So to better understand safety, relevance, and likelihood of success in your individual circumstances. If seek shockwave therapy as a treatment option, please inform your Sydney Physio Clinic practitioner if you have one of the following conditions. Shockwave therapy may not be appropriate for you, if you have one of the following medical conditions:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Tumor in/or around the treatment area
• Skin wound, or acute inflammation in treatment area
• Rupture, or significant tear of tissues in the treatment area
• Heart, or circulatory problems
• Bleeding, and blood coagulation disorders
• If taking blood thinner medication
• Had a cortisone injection in the area within the six weeks prior to your appointment

Evidence Regarding The Use Of Shockwave Treatment In Physiotherapy

The benefits of Shockwave Therapy can be found in numerous well regarded publications. Including the American Journal of Sports Medicine, and the Journal of Orthopaedics. The reports in the literature are somewhat variable. Some papers suggest shockwave treatment achieving a 90% success rate for Plantar Fasciitis (Journal of Orthopedic Research 2003). And a 91% success rate for Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendinosis (Journal of the American Medical Association 2005).

Appropriateness Based On Individual Circumstances

However, not all patients will be pain free after receiving shockwave therapy. The current recommendations for shockwave therapy are that it is a safe treatment for patients who have previously failed other conservative measures. It is often suggested that patients try more traditional treatments including “standard” physiotherapy for a period of 6 months to a year before considering shockwave therapy. However, at Sydney Physio Clinic we realise every individual and their complaint is unique. So, accordingly we assess every patients appropriateness for shockwave treatment, gauging it on individual circumstances. Not exclusively with regard to the duration of symptoms, or failure to respond to “classic” treatment approaches.

More research supporting the use of shockwave therapy:

1. Rompe, JD, et al. “Low-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy for painful heel: a prospective controlled single-blind study.” Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1998;115:75-9.
2. Rompe, JD, et al. “Evaluation of low-energy extracorporeal shock-wave application for treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.” Jour Bone Joint Surg. 2002;84:335-41.
3. Haake, M, et al. “Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis: randomized controlled multicentre trial.” Brit Med Jour. 2003;327(7406):75.
4. Rompe, JD; Radial Shock Wave Therapy- Where do we stand today?; Translation from Medical Special, Apr 2006
5. Furia et al 2007, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy, Current Opin Orthop 2007; 18: 101- 111
6. Rompe et al 2008, Eccentric Loading Compared with Shock Wave treatment for Chronic Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy, J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008; 90: 52-61
7. Han et al 2009, Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Cultured Tenocytes, Foot and Ankle International, 30: 93-98

It is worth noting that the research around shockwave therapy seems to indicate that as a treatment modality it has better results with certain soft tissue injuries than others. Conditions like plantar fascia pain, and achilles tendon pain responding more favorably than patella tendon pain. As a general rule shockwave as a treatment modality is becoming more widely accepted. And the number of treatment applications considered relevant are increasing with time. Contact us to see if shockwave therapy is relevant for you.

Think Shockwave Treatment May Be Right For You?

If you are experiencing chronic soft tissue pains. Pains that are either constantly reoccurring, or failing to fully resolve. Shockwave therapy may be right for you. Sydney Physio Clinic a centrally located CBD physio practice in the centre of Sydney call us on 02­ 9223 2502 and we will happily arrange you an assessment and treatment session at your convenience.

Disclaimer: This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance on Shockwave Treatment Really Works should consult his or her general practitioner, physiotherapist, orthopaedic surgeon or otherwise appropriately skilled practitioner.