Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy is a non-surgical and non-invasive method of pain relief and mobility improvement. Also called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or ESWT, Shockwave Therapy is used around the world in physiotherapy, sports medicine, orthopaedics, podiatry and urology.
Here at Agility we use shockwave therapy to treat chronic painful tendon conditions such as: Achilles tendonopathy, patellar tendonopathy, plantar fasciitis, gluteal tendonopathy (hip bursitis), rotator cuff pain, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.
Shockwave Therapy offers several key benefits:
- Fast, effective treatment
- Minimal side effects
- Speedy recovery
How Exactly Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy sends high-energy radial pressure waves to the site of chronic pain. These acoustic waves increase blood flow, stimulate muscle repair and regeneration, and increase metabolization at the cellular level.
Shockwave therapy is a safe, effective, treatment recommended for people suffering chronic pain – even at the highest level of sport. Clinical studies and literature reviews continue to prove the effectiveness of ESWT as a treatment method for tendon complaints and a raft of musculoskeletal issues.
What does Shockwave Therapy involve?
During shockwave treatment you may experience a small amount of discomfort, but your response is measured by our experienced physiotherapists to ensure you are not in pain. Because shockwave therapy creates an analgesic effect, you should experience immediate acute pain relief. The treatments also stimulate collagen production so you will benefit from increased mobility after 1 or 2 sessions.
Fast treatment
Generally we need to see you 4-6 times, about a week apart, for effective long-term pain reduction. Each session lasts around 20 minutes and most patients report a drastic pain reduction after the first treatment. Shockwave therapy is used as part of a tailored therapy pathway designed to address underlying issues in your body.
Limited side effects
Shockwave therapy carries a much lower risk of side-effects than surgery. Depending on your level of pain and overall health there may – in very rare cases – be side effects to ESWT:
- Tolerable pain 2-4 hours after initial treatments
- Mild discomfort during treatment
- Mild bruising, swelling and/or numbness
- No response to treatment (extremely rare)
Fast recovery
Shockwave therapy starts to alleviate pain and restore mobility after the first session. At most you will be restricted from high-impact activity for 48 hours following each session. Your physiotherapist will give more tailored advice, but in general the recovery periods following shockwave treatment are substantially shorter than surgery.
What to expect after Shockwave Therapy?
After 1-2 days you should experience reduced pain and improved mobility. Here at Agility, we design shockwave therapy plans that specifically address your pain points, to provide safe and effective pain treatment without surgery.
Contact us to learn more about Shockwave Therapy, book a shockwave therapy treatment, or speak with our team about treatment options tailored for you.