Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave machines create an acoustic pressure wave (a shockwave) which transmits energy to body tissue at the point of contact. These strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The mechanical force created by these bubbles stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing. Because of this powerful effect, most patients who undergo shockwave treatment experience a faster rate of recovery.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Shockwave therapy works by generating a cellular reaction through mechanical stimulation. It accelerates the body’s healing process by stimulating cellular metabolism, causing the release of growth factors, and enhancing circulation to regenerate damaged tissue. It can reduce pain by overstimulating nerve endings in the affected area, creating an analgesic effect.
Shockwave therapy has been used successfully for over 20 years to manage a variety of orthopaedic conditions, and is the most effective in cases where the human body has not been able to heal itself on its own, such as tendinopathy, fasciopathy, or non-union fractures.
Shockwave Therapy Treatment, Side Effects, and Contraindications
Shockwave treatments are non-invasive and promote accelerated recovery of injured soft tissue, bone, and joint pain. Shockwave is well tolerated by most patients, providing pain relief and restoring mobility with minimal discomfort. Most patients require three to six treatment sessions. There is no downtime for recovery, although limiting activity on the day of treatment is recommended.
There are no significant shockwave therapy side effects. Some patients may experience mild redness, swelling, bruising, or temporary increase in pain which resolves quickly.
Shockwave is not used on the lower back or near the uterus of people who are pregnant, over malignant tumours, directly over the brain or spinal cord, over the lungs or abdomen, or on patients with significant bleeding disorders. Patients who have received a cortisone injection should wait 6 weeks before using shockwave therapy on the same area.