9 Things you didn’t know about ESWT Shockwave Therapy

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IT’S NON INVASIVE
Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat longstanding pain and discomfort. We use an EMS Swiss DolorClast shockwave machine. A hand-held device is moved over a conductive gel on the skin to send waves of energy to painful areas in the body. These mechanical pressure pulses – known as shockwaves - work by reinjuring tendons and tissues, which in turn stimulates blood flow helping problem areas to heal (neoangiogenesis).

 

IT’S RISK FREE
Shockwave Therapy requires no surgery which means there’s no chance of infection and there’s very littlerisk of tendon rupture, which may occasionally occur with steroid injections. There’s no need to take medication. It’s a wonderful technique to consider if all your other treatment options have failed.
The Shockwave Solution

 

 

IT’S NOT JUST FOR TENDON INJURIES
Yes Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat pain in areas such as the achilles tendon, but evidence shows it can help other conditions from Peyronie’s Disease (bent penis syndrome) to refractory plantar fasciitis (Policeman's Heel) and even help reduce the appearance of cellulite! It’s also great for chronic shoulder pain (calcific tendonitis of the shoulder), and hip bursitis inflammation around the outside of the hip joints, which can cause people discomfort on one side when they lie down or try to do certain exercises.

IT’S NOT TIME CONSUMING
A course of 3 sessions is generally needed but the sessions only last 15 minutes and after treatment you can go about your daily business. Exercises may be given at the end but it is inadvisable to participate in sport until your practitioner has given you the all clear.

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE OPTION:

FOCUSED SHOCKWAVE: This is generally used to treat targeted deep-rooted painful conditions and is particularly useful for joint related problems. The device uses piezoceramic crystals to generate a pressure wave through the tissue into the target area at a depth of 8cm. This creates cavitation bubbles which collapse, creating a secondary shockwave. This approach is less painful than the radial option.

 
 

RADIAL SHOCKWAVE: This is ideal for 90% of the problems we see in clinic. For example, soft tissue/ tendons which are more superficial. In fact some studies have shown this treatment can help with osteoarthritis and bone healing such as delayed non-union fractures. This process works in the same way as the Focused approach except the Radial shockwave does not penetrate as deep and therefore its use is considered for more superficial conditions. 

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IT’S USED BY ATHLETES
Some of the best sports teams in the world including The AC Milan football club and its scientific research centre, the Milan Lab, have researched and used Shockwave Therapy as a way of keeping their athletes in peak condition.

 

IT’S APPROVED FOR USE IN THE UK
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has reviewed Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESTW) and approved its use in the treatment of six conditions. The machine we use is on a number of databases around the world such as PEDro. 80% of randomised controlled studies featured on PEDro, have been undertaken using the Swiss DolorClast machine. 

IT’S NOT AS EXPENSIVE AS YOU MIGHT THINK
A full consultation will be given. If you are deemed suitable for a course of Shockwave Therapy, then the cost of three sessions including the consultation is £600. If you are not considered suitable for the treatment, then the consultation fee is £65. Would you put a price on becoming pain free? 

 

INSTANT ACCESS FROM AN EXPERT ON YOUR DOORSTEP

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This treatment should only be performed by an expert practitioner with an understanding of the underlying adverse biomechanics of the body to ensure the results are the best they can be. Step in Paul Morrissey. Author of ‘The Shockwave Solution – The Non-Surgical Answer to Becoming Pain Free’. Paul has treated patients using Shockwave Therapy for the past 14 years. He’s also an ambassador and qualified trainer for EMS. And the best part is there’s no waiting list. Book an appointment today.