You might have heard about shockwave therapy in recent years, especially if you’ve been dealing with chronic pain or tendon injuries. It’s gaining popularity in the world of physiotherapy, and for good reason! But what exactly is it, and how can it help you?
At Motion Clinic, we use the latest treatments to help our patients recover and get back to doing what they love. So, let’s break down shockwave therapy and find out where it might be beneficial for you.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), uses high-energy sound waves that are delivered to the body’s tissues. These waves can help stimulate healing, particularly in muscles and tendons. It’s different from older therapies like ultrasound because the evidence behind shockwave therapy is much stronger.
💡 How does it work?
Shockwave therapy promotes the production of collagen, a vital part of tissue healing. It helps your body heal faster, which is why it’s often used for people dealing with tendon or muscle injuries.
What Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?
Shockwave therapy has been found to be effective for various conditions, especially tendon issues. Let’s take a closer look at where the evidence supports its use:
1. Achilles Tendinopathy:
- Evidence shows that shockwave therapy can help reduce pain and improve function, especially for insertional Achilles tendinopathy (where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone).
- Combining shockwave therapy with traditional rehab exercises (like eccentric loading) can produce even better results.
“Combining shockwave therapy with traditional rehab exercises (like eccentric loading) can produce even better results”
💡 Tip: If you have Achilles pain that’s been bothering you for a while, shockwave therapy might help you get back to your normal activities faster.
2. Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee):
- There’s some moderate evidence that shockwave therapy can help people with patellar tendinopathy, particularly over the long term.
- It may even be as effective as surgery in some cases!
3. Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome:
- Shockwave therapy has been shown to work better than home exercises or corticosteroid injections, both in the short term and long term.
However, CSI may not be suitable if you’re immunocompromised, as these injections can sometimes increase the risk of infection.
Other Potential Uses for Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy isn’t just for tendon problems. There’s also evidence that it can help with other conditions you might not have thought of:
1. Spasticity Management:
- Shockwave therapy has been found useful in treating spasticity (a condition where muscles tighten and stiffen), particularly in people recovering from a stroke.
- Research shows that it can help increase ankle range of movement and improve function in the legs and arms, with no side effects reported.
2. Tennis Elbow:
- While some studies have shown mixed results, shockwave therapy can still be beneficial for reducing pain and improving grip strength in people with tennis elbow.
💡 Tip: If you’ve tried other treatments for tennis elbow without success, shockwave therapy could be an option worth exploring.
Where Is More Research Needed?
While the evidence is promising, there are still some areas where we need more research. For example, shockwave therapy has been tested for conditions like frozen shoulder and plantar fasciitis, but the results aren’t yet conclusive.
Additionally, we need more studies to determine the best settings for the machines and which conditions respond best to treatment.
“If you want to get stronger, perform strength exercises.”
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?
If you’ve been struggling with chronic tendon pain, shockwave therapy could be an effective option to help you heal. Whether you’re dealing with Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, or even spasticity after a stroke, this treatment has shown real promise.
At Motion Clinic, we offer personalised treatment plans and will assess whether shockwave therapy is right for your specific condition. If you’re tired of dealing with persistent pain and want to explore the benefits of shockwave therapy, we’re here to help!
Book Your Appointment Today
Ready to see if shockwave therapy could work for you? Contact us at Motion Clinic to learn more or book your appointment. We’ll work with you to find the best solution to help you recover and get back to doing what you love.
November 7th, 2024. Andrew Horide, Osteopath