Shockwave Therapy

How does it work:
Shock Wave Therapy was developed after it was found that patients receiving Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for kidney stones had improved vascularisation in their kidneys in the area treated. This led to more research and development of shock wave therapy in a milder dose that causes a similar response in more superficial tissue.

The theory of the mechanism of shockwave generation in ESWT is to produce interstitial and extracellular responses that lead to tissue regeneration (Ogden, Toth-Kischkaf, et al., 2001).

Pain Relief
The literature suggests that ESWT provides pain relief through hyperstimulation analgesia, and it has been demonstrated that ESWT acts on the expression of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal root ganglion (Melzack, 1979; Takahashi, Wada, Ohtori, Saisu, & Moriya, 2003).

Tissue Regeneration
ESWT has been shown to stimulate tissue regeneration, and it is suggested that ESWT results in increased collagen production, matrix turnover and increased vascularisation (Bosch et al., 2009; Bosch, van

Schie, van de Lest, Barneveld, & van Weeren, 2007; R. W. W. Hsu, Hsu, Tai, & Lee, 2004; C. J. Wang et al., 2003).

Destruction of Calcifications
There have been suggestions that ESWT can eliminate calcifications in tendons, with some in vivo studies demonstrating resolution of calcification in shoulder tendinopathies (Daecke, Kusnierczak, & Loew, 2002b; Peters et al., 2004a).

Tendinopathy
In the past 10-15 years, ESWT is emerging as a clinically useful treatment modality for chronic tendinopathy conditions (Ching-jen, 2012). As further research continues to show positive treatment effects, ESWT is gaining popularity across the medical community. It is widely accepted that ESWT is indicated in the treatment of chronic tendinopathic conditions of duration greater than three months and who have failed appropriate conservative management (van der Worp, van den Akker-Scheek, van Schie, & Zwerver, 2013a).

Our physiotherapists will be providing detailed initial assessments on clients regarding history, view any scans and to ascertain their pain and functional loss and weaknesses. The treatment will then be implemented which usually involves up to 6 sessions with a gap of about 4-7 days between sessions. We will also combine strengthening programmes once pain and function have improved. Many of these conditions are accompanied by poor posture, weak musculature, muscular imbalances or poor technique in sport or occupational tasks. If we don’t correct the underlying cause the condition may recur.

Our in-house clinical trials to date have had clients reporting a decrease in pain and especially of note was that they could sleep better as their shoulder or gluteal tendinopathy was not waking them when they rolled on that side.

Does the treatment hurt?
The treatment while ballistic is not painful but more like a rubber band flicking the skin or a strong vibratory sensation.

Procedure:
Shock waves are directed through a hand-held probe which is moved over the skin of the affected site after applying the ultrasound gel. The sound waves are given as short pulses of less than 1 microsecond. The treatment takes only 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the area involved. The number and intensity of the sound waves will depend on the severity of the conditions. Complete treatment may require up to 6 sessions of therapy. The sessions are usually spaced 4-7 days apart.

Precautions and Contraindications
Pregnancy- The safety of the shock wave therapy has not been evaluated in pregnant women

• Anticoagulant medication like Warfarin
• Cardiac pacemaker -shockwave therapy may interfere with this
• Acute inflammation in the treatment area
• Cancer or any malignant disease – the treatment would not be appropriate in this case.