Shockwave therapy is a new technique used for many chronic and acute processes in the body and is very efficient for treating the pain. We use it with the tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, tendon calcification around the shoulder, Achilles’ tendon pain, etc. Generally speaking, this treatment was proven to be very effective with conditions that take a long time to get better via standard methods of physical therapy.
WHAT IS HAPPENING DURING SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?
During the therapy, a high-intensity soundwave affects the tissue, leading to many useful effects such as neurovascular growth, preventing inflammation, collagen stimulation, dissolution of calcified parts.
BENEFITS OF SHOCKWAVE THERAPY:
- clinical studies – success rate above 75%
- shockwave therapy has a great input/output rate
- non-invasive solution for chronic pain in the shoulder, back, heel, and elbow
- shockwave therapy is a new technology with effects which have been medically proven
- no anesthesia, no drugs
- no side-effects
- main areas of use: orthopedics, rehabilitation, sports medicine
WHEN TO USE SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Physical therapy – using SWT in physical therapy is mostly connected to treating chronic muscle and tendon conditions, cervical pain, back pain, and trigger point treatment. When compared to traditional manual therapy, SWT is extremely effective. It reduces the number of therapeutical treatments and leads to long-term better results. Usual indications are:
- painful shoulder
- epicondylitis
- lower back pain
- Achilles’ tendon pain
- patellar tendinitis
- trigger point therapy
Orthopedics – using shockwave therapy in orthopedics in focused on treating calcifications, painful exostoses, different tendinitis types, and slow fracture healing. SWT represents an alternative in many cases when surgery seems inevitable. Usual diagnoses are:
- frozen shoulder
- periarthritis humeroscapularis
- calcar calcanei
- secondary symptoms of arthritis
- achillodynia
- lateral and ulnar epicondylitis
- jumper’s knee
Sports medicine – SWT is often used in sports medicine for its healing and regenerating effects on soft tissue. This way post-injury period can be reduced. Usual indications are:
- muscular distension
- prolonged treatment of joint distortion
- hip pain
- back pain
- achillodynia
- ITB syndrome
FAQ
WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE PERCENTAGE OF SWT?
Recorded rate of clinical usage in the world is between 77 and 80%. Every treatment is cumulative, and the results are often felt after three or four treatments. It is possible to feel relief (pain reducing) already after the first treatment.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
During the treatment patient might experience discomfort, depending on pain level already present in this area. But the treatment itself lasts only five minutes so most patients can endure it quite well. Furthermore, treatment intensity can be set on the very beginning in order to achieve analgesic effect.
DOES THE PAIN OCCUR AFTER TREATMENT?
Most patients experience pain reducing instantly. However, 2-4 hours afterwards they might experience enhanced sensitivity in treated area. This is usually not difficult to endure, and can last from few hours to few days.
WHAT ABOUT „PHYSICAL ACTIVITY“ AND „REST“ AFTER TREATMENT?
It is recommended that patients stop with physical activity for at least 48 hours, especially if it includes treated area.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS, AND HOW OFTEN?
Each treatment lasts 3-5 minutes. Most conditions require up to 5 treatments, depending on patient’s tolerance level, tissue responsiveness, and therapist’s estimation.
