Focused Shockwave Therapy
New to Kendal Physio Centre
What is Shockwave Therapy?
In a nutshell: It’s a high frequency sound wave that brings about pain relief, and stimulates the bodies natural healing process at a cellular level.
Shockwave was initially used in the 1970s and 1980s as a non-evasive treatment for kidney stones and has since been developed for use in musculo-skeletal injury. This has led to a growing body of evidence in aiding healing, especially in chronic conditions.
Shockwave can be distinguished into two types, Radial and Focussed. The difference is based on the energy delivery, the depth, and the physiological response.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
How Much Does It Cost?
Individual 15 min focused shockwave sessions can be purchased for £80. We also offer a package of 4 shockwave sessions for £280 (£40 saving) per body part, if further sessions are required after this they can be paid on a single session basis.
To maximise the effectiveness of these sessions we recommend a minimum of 4 days between each session with all 4 sessions delivered over a 2-3 week period. Shockwave therapy is also not recommended if you have had a corticosteroid injection within the last 6 weeks.
Please note:
Shockwave is an additional cost to the therapy session and will often be applied in short 15 minute treatment if no other input is required. These 15 minute sessions can be booked individually or bolted onto a normal 45 minute follow up therapy session. A normal therapy session will be used if other treatment is also required.
Your Questions Answered…
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Both types of shockwave have a few similar effects on tissues however focused shockwave has been shown to produce increased beneficial effects that radial shockwave cannot. The main benefits of focused over radial shockwave are:
- Increased comfort for the patient
- Focused shockwave is able to target deeper tissues up to 6cm below the skin. Radial shockwave is limited to treating superficial structures only.
- Focused shockwave is able to target bone stress injuries such as shin splints.
- Focused shockwave is able to deliver a greater level of energy into the target tissues meaning patients usually need fewer treatments then radial shockwave.
- Focused shockwave can be used to treat bony oedema which can help to reduce the pain felt with osteoarthritis.
Fast and Effective | Evidence Based | No Medication and Non-Invasive Treatment | Recognised by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) as an effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment modality for a number of upper and lower limb conditions, when used in conjunction with exercise prescription. These include:
ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY
PLANTARFASCIITIS
CALCANEAL HEEL SPURS
CALCIFIC TENDINITIS OF THE SHOULDER
PATELLA TENDINOPATHY
STRESS FRACTURES
LATERAL HIP PAIN
TRIGGER POINT TREATMENT
PROXIMAL HAMSTRING TENDINOPATHY
GOLFER’S ELBOW (COMMON FLEXOR TENDINOPATHY)
Tennis Elbow (Common Extensor Tendinopathy)
CLINICALLY PROVED EFFECTIVENESSQUICK AND EFFICIENT TREATMENT THAT TAKES 10-20 MINUTES
NO ANAESTHESIA NECESSARY
NON-INVASIVE
VIRTUALLY PAINLESS AFTER TREATMENT
NO MEDICATION
QUICK RESULTS
HIGH SUCCESS RATES UP TO 85% IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS
IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE
A specialist device is used to deliver acoustic energy through the skin to a target tissue. The shockwaves are mechanical and not electrical. They are audible, low energy sound waves which increase blood flow and alter cellular activity of the injured area. When you receive shockwave therapy you will be getting between 4-21 of these shockwaves per second, lasting around 5 minutes, creating on average 2500 shockwaves into the tissue.
Shockwave helps to make your rehab more effective and quicker but works best when combined with rehab. So, you will still need to do your rehab exercises, shockwave just helps to create an improved healing environment in the tissues whilst at the same time reducing pain.
Yes. Most private health insurance companies cover the cost of treatment for shockwave therapy although it is advised you contact your insurer prior to booking a consultation to ensure you’re covered.
There are contraindications for the use of Radial and focused shockwaves in which case we may not be able to go forward with treatment using this technique these include:
- Malignant tumour in the treatment area (not as underlying disease)
- Leukaemia
- Steroid injection to the treatment area in the last 6 weeks
- Lung tissue in the treatment area
- Growth plate in the treatment area
- Brain or Spine in the treatment area
- Severe coagulopathy – use of heparin/ warfarin and similar medications
- Acute infection
- Pacemaker in the treatment zone
- If you are Pregnant
Accordion Content
If you would like to speak with one of our Physiotherapists about Shockwave Therapy or book an appointment, then please phone 01539 725220 or book an assessment online.