What is Shockwave Therapy (SWT) and how can it help you?
Shockwave Therapy is a non- invasive treatment tool that uses high-energy acoustic waves to increase blood flow and break up scar tissue in a number of sub-acute and chronic conditions. Within one week, early cellular and physiological changes occur to promote healing, and within one month, there is increased blood supply and cell proliferation that results in tissue regeneration and repair of inflamed tendons and bone! Research suggests that SWT works by improving blood flow, reducing local nerve sensitivity (neuromodulation), stimulating tissue regeneration (neovascularisation) and breaks up calcific deposits on tendons.
What conditions is shockwave therapy used to treat?
Research shows that shockwave therapy has been used to successful aid in the treatment of the following:
- Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendinitis (Shoulder)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (Medial epicondylitis)
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Osteochondritis dessicans
The strongest evidence is for Rotator Cuff Tendinitis and Plantar Fasciitis. Research shows that for shoulders; shockwave can help 8–9 out of 10 people with calcific tendinitis, major improvement are seen, with patients often avoiding the need for surgery. For stubborn plantar fasciitis, shockwave gives around half of patients significant relief and improvements are often long-lasting.
How long does it take to work?
The effect of shockwave therapy depends on the dose (intensity) used and symptoms tend to improve with time. Benefits of treatment may be felt immediately in some cases or within four weeks of treatment.
Are there any risks?
The complications and risks are low, however, as with any treatments are some negative side effects including minor swelling, bruising, redness and soreness post treatment.
Shockwave therapy is also not recommended in treatment areas over the lungs, brain, eyes, open wounds, implanted devices, major nerves and arteries, local cancers and pregnancy.
Does it hurt?
Shockwave Therapy can be temporarily uncomfortable but treatment is short lived.
If you have been struggling with the rehabilitation of one of the above conditions book an appointment to discuss whether Shockwave is right for you BOOK NOW
References:
Al-Abbad, H. & Simon, J.V. (2013) ‘The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on chronic plantar fasciitis’, Foot and Ankle International, 34(1), pp. 33–41.
Buchbinder, R. (2004) ‘Plantar fasciitis’, BMJ, 329(7480), pp. 172–176.
Dedes, V., Stergioulas, A., Kipreos, G. et al. (2018) ‘Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy versus ultrasound therapy in chronic Achilles tendinopathy’, Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions, 18(1), pp. 47–53.
Gerdesmeyer, L., Frey, C., Vester, J., Maier, M. et al. (2008) ‘Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis’, American Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(11), pp. 2100–2109.
Gerdesmeyer, L. et al. (2003) ‘Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder’, JAMA, 290(19), pp. 2573–2580.
Harniman, E., Carette, S., Kennedy, C., et al. (2004) ‘Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review’, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 14(4), pp. 215–221.
Ioppolo, F., Tattoli, M., Di Sante, L. et al. (2013) ‘Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for supraspinatus calcific tendinopathy: a systematic review’, Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal, 3(3), pp. 233–239.
Louwerens, J.K. et al. (2023) ‘Effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review’, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 41(6), pp. 1234–1244.
Rompe, J.D., Furia, J., Maffulli, N. (2009) ‘Eccentric loading compared with shock wave treatment for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy’, American Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(5), pp. 966–973.
Speed, C. (2014) ‘A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions: focusing on the evidence’, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(21), pp. 1538–1542.
Wang, C.-J. (2012) ‘Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders’, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 7(1), p. 11.
Wu, Y., Zhang, Y., Hou, Y. et al. (2024) ‘Efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in upper limb tendinopathies: a meta-analysis of 18 RCTs’, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 19, Article 267.