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Let’s learn about Shockwave Therapy

Oct 12, 2022

Shockwave Therapy

Let’s learn about Shockwave Therapy

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a safe non-invasive therapy that is effective treatment for tendon, muscle or joint disorders.

Shockwave therapy involves passing, short, intense mechanical sound waves (definitely not electrical shocks) into affected tissues in the body. These shock waves increase blood flow in the tissue, cause and pain relieving affect, and stimulate the body’s ability to repair and regenerate. So basically, the treatment helps the body go into repair mode and restart its own natural healing process.

Who can Shockwave therapy help?

Shockwave therapy is able to help people who have been suffering with chronic pain that is stopping them from doing something they love doing. Sometimes it’s pain that stops you from walking, running, playing golf, playing tennis or from even just doing stairs. So its pain from your foot/ankle pain, knee, shoulder, and elbow that is slowing you down or stopping you from that thing you enjoy doing.

Is it safe?

Yes. Shockwave is a very safe treatment and has been clinically proven to help lots of conditions. It has been approved by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

What conditions is shockwave therapy used to treat?

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Plantar fasciitis (foot pain)
  • Patellar tendinitis
  • Shin splints
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfers elbow
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Rotator cuff
  • Hip pain

Is treatment painful?

You will definitely feel the treatment. Everyone is different as to what they feel. Some experience pain but this should always be tolerable. Some people feel a discomfort. You should always tell your therapist how you feel, as the machine can be set to a tolerable level for you.

How many sessions will I need?

Research tells us that most conditions will require anything from 3-10 sessions of shockwave therapy. These sessions are generally spaced at 1 week apart for most effectiveness. For long standing conditions you may require further sessions.

What should I expect during a session?

We aim to treat the most painful area. You will be required to expose the skin of the painful area. Some gel is applied to the skin which improves the contact between the skin and the shockwave hand piece. This will allow the shockwaves to pass into the body more efficiently and most importantly, more effectively.

Are there any side effects?

Following treatment you may experience:-

  • Pain and discomfort which can occur during or after treatment. This will usually subside within 1-2 days
  • Mild skin reddening or bruising at the treatment site
  • Minor skin irritation at the treatment site
  • Temporary numbness in the area.

These are all normal reactions that tells us your natural healing process is taking place.

What are the advantages of shockwave therapy?

  • Fewer potential complications
  • Faster return to normal activity
  • No anaesthesia
  • Non invasive
  • No medication
  • Significant clinical benefit
  • Natural analgesic effect

Who shouldn’t get shockwave therapy?

  • Ladies who are pregnant
  • People with malignant tumours
  • Application over open growth plates – please check with your therapist. This normally applies to under 18’s at certain points of their bodies.
  • Infection sites
  • If you are taking blood thinning medication or have a blood disorder
  • Nerve or circulation disorders

 

Watch our video about shockwave therapy HERE.

If you have any further questions about shockwave therapy then please do not hesitate to contact us on 028 92666959, or email on info@gavnoble.com. Alternatively, feel free to check out more info HERE.

 

 

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GavinNoble

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