THE NON-SURGICAL SOLUTION TO BECOMING PAIN FREE

Shockwave Therapy (SWT) has been shown to be a highly effective treatment option for patients who have failed to respond to conservative manual therapies. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has received numerous clinical studies and has endorsed its effectiveness.

WHO IT HELPS

Shockwave Therapy, in conjunction with an appropriately prescribed exercise programme by your health Physiotherapist, has been shown to help with the following conditions

• Achilles Pain (Achilles tendinopathy)
• Heel Pain (Plantar fasciitis)
• Hip Pain (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, gluteal tendinopathy)
• Elbow Pain (Lateral and medial epicondylitis -tennis and golfers elbow)
• Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff tendinopathy)
• Hamstring Pain (Hamstring tendinopathy)
• Knee Pain (Patella tendinopathy)
• Neck Pain (Myofascial pain syndromes)

WHAT DOES SHOCKWAVE DO?

Professor Tim Kratson states, that one of the strongest arguments for the use of shockwave in therapy is that it effectively takes the affected tissue from a chronic state to an acute one. In doing so, this provides a stimulant or trigger to a ‘stalled’ repair sequence -rather like pressing the ‘reset’ button.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL YOU NEED?

We are guided by the current research which suggests 3-6 treatment sessions inconjunction with physiotherapy assessment and appropriate exercises. Ideally the session should be 5-7 days apart.

RESULTS?

Many patients report an improvement in symptoms after the first treatment,however this often can be temporary. This is the Pain Gate Theory coming into play. Shockwave is working at a cellular level to influence the healing process and many patients see an improvement from the second week onwards. The healing process can take up to several weeks or even months to complete (dependent upon the diagnosis).

FURTHER INFORMATION

There are no long-term side-effects from Shockwave. The treatment procedure can be uncomfortable, but it is very short term. Any potential side effects will be explained at your appointment, but you may experience some reddening, bruising, and swelling as well as a potential brief increase in pain. These side effects usually subside over a few days.
Shockwave is a ‘proinflammatory’ treatment, hence the above potential reactions to treatment.

Remember we are trying to ‘kick start’ your healing process from a ‘stalled’ or chronic state. To this end, DO NOT take anti-inflammatory medication during your course of
treatment as this will interfere with the natural healing process we are trying to reinstate.

Shockwave therapy is performed at our Sandhurst clinic. For more information, please call 01276 37670 or email admin@thorpesphysiotherapy.com