How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Are you hoping to unlock a pain-free lifestyle without needing to have surgery or medication? In recent years, shockwave therapy has emerged as a revolutionary solution to treat various tendon conditions, but how does it work? In this blog, we’ll look at how treatment works, the benefits, and some conditions it can help treat.

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a form of treatment used for ongoing tendon conditions like tennis elbow or Achilles tendinopathy. By using shockwaves to trigger an inflammatory response in the affected tissue, it helps to increase blood flow and metabolism, ultimately boosting the body’s ability to heal itself. The shockwaves are also effective in breaking down injured tissue and calcifications within the treated area.

How does treatment work?

Treatment is carried out using a handpiece – similar to an ultrasound machine – held by the clinician that generates high-energy sound waves. These waves are then directed towards specific pain in your bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, stimulating blood flow. Once the shockwaves penetrate the skin, they target the underlying tissues, creating microtrauma that promotes a natural healing response.

As a non-invasive treatment, shockwave therapy is a safer alternative to surgery or injections and can often provide relief from pain without the need for medication.

Shockwave appointments last 15 minutes, with the shockwave treatment itself lasting between 5-10 minutes. Therapy is generally uncomfortable, however your therapist can adjust the intensity of the shockwaves to your tolerance.

There is no need for anti-inflammatory medication or other pain relief during or after shockwave therapy, as the treatment itself aims to promote healing and reduce pain naturally.

What conditions can shockwave therapy treat?

 Shockwave therapy can be used to treat a range of lower and upper limb conditions, such as:

• Plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel and bottom of the foot)
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis)
• Achilles tendinopathy (pain in the Achilles tendon)
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
• Trochanteric bursitis (hip pain)
• Calcified shoulder tendinopathy (pain in your shoulder tendons)
• Medial tibial stress syndrome (Shin splints)

Each person’s pain or injury is unique, so it’s important to get personalised treatment. Our team of experts at Hatt’s has decades of experience and can help you recover from a wide range of conditions.

If you’re unsure about your condition, our physiotherapy team can help identify the cause of your pain. They can also recommend the most suitable treatment for you.

What are the benefits of shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy treatment can offer a number of benefits for chronic conditions. For starters, it’s an advanced and effective treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions in the bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Not only is it effective, but it’s also a safer alternative to surgical treatment, with no aftercare required.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that is well-tolerated by patients. It’s a desirable option for many seeking relief from persistent pain as well as offering faster recovery times. As new blood vessels are formed, it improves the supply of blood and oxygen to the affected areas, which can promote the repair of damaged tissue and alleviate pain.

Patients often experience a significant reduction in pain after just a few sessions, making it an appealing option for those who have not found relief through traditional methods such as surgery, injections or physiotherapy. Furthermore, the treatment has no significant side effects, allowing you to return to your daily activities relatively quickly.

How long does shockwave therapy take to work?

Shockwave therapy is typically performed in a series of sessions, usually over 3-6 sessions – each lasting up to 15 minutes with ideally 1 week between each session. Depending on the severity of your condition more sessions may be required to ensure a full recovery.

Shockwave treatment works best as a combination of treatments, such as rehabilitation and gait analysis to address bio-mechanical issues and improve tendon capacity.

Although Shockwave therapy has a high success rate there is a chance it may not improve your symptoms. We recommended a review between 4-8 weeks post-treatment. If your symptoms have not improved by then, we will suggest alternative treatment options or diagnostic tests to understand why your pain persists.

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

Most patients report feeling some discomfort during shockwave therapy, but the level of pain is tolerable. Some describe the sensation as a pulsing or throbbing feeling, similar to getting a deep tissue massage. While there may be some soreness after the treatment, many find that the benefits of shockwave therapy in reducing pain and promoting healing outweigh any temporary discomfort.

Shockwave therapy at Hatt’s

We are proud to be one of the few clinics to offer shockwave therapy locally in Marlborough, Devizes and Frome. With state-of-the-art technology and advanced shockwave therapy techniques, our therapists are dedicated to providing effective treatment for your conditions. Once we’ve assessed your condition, we’ll create a personalised treatment plan to help you get back to living your life to the fullest.

Take the next step towards pain-free living by booking a consultation with one of our Physiotherapists, and we’ll get you back to feeling your best.