What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that involves delivering high-energy waves to injured tissues to reduce pain and promote healing.
It works by stimulating the body’s normal healing process, speeding up the recovery of injured tissue and joints, while diminishing pain and discomfort.
ESWT can be delivered in two technologies, either through radial shockwave therapy (pressure waves) or Focus shockwave therapy (true shockwave).
As an alternative to steroid Injections and surgery, ESWT is an innovative technology that sends sound waves through the tissue to help you to accelerate your body’s natural healing process. Shockwave therapy is extremely safe having been used on millions of patients around the world with virtually no major negative side effects. The NICE guidelines in the UK recommend the use of shockwave therapy and emphasise the safety of this therapy.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
FOCUS Shockwave Therapy (FSWT)
At PRO HEALTH LONDON, we use the Storz Focus Shockwave Therapy appliance. This is the most powerful shockwave machine and the market leader in the UK. This device has been heavily researched, achieving excellent outcomes for the treatment of tendon, joint and pelvic related conditions. Shockwave is also regenerative and can be used to treat a wide-range of conditions, both acute and chronic.
What is the difference between radial & focused shockwave therapy?
We’re proud to offer this cutting-edge technology because it delivers exceptional results, surpassing traditional radial shockwaves in its cellular and regenerative capabilities. As the name implies, FOCUS shockwave therapy maintains its energy, ensuring that every wave remains potent as it penetrates your body and reaches deep into the tissues. Unlike radial shockwaves that lose energy upon entering the tissue, FOCUS shockwaves retain their strength, allowing them to effectively stimulate even the deepest regions of your body, ranging from 3cm to an impressive 12cm!
This remarkable capability is made possible by customizable settings and suitable transmitters, ensuring optimal treatment for each unique patient.
The team at PRO HEALTH LONDON has in-depth knowledge and extensive training in delivering shockwave therapy. Focused Shockwave is more gentle, less noisy and more effective and delivers the energy deeper into the tissue – mimicking the pain so knowing results are on the way.
Are you looking for an alternative to injections or surgery?
Discover the Power of FOCUS Shockwave Therapy:
Unleash the Healing Potential, Naturally!
Say goodbye to superficial treatments that fail to reach the root of your discomfort—embrace the precision and depth of FOCUS shockwaves for a truly transformative healing experience. Our experienced physiotherapists are highly trained in FOCUS shockwave therapy, utilizing this remarkable technology to provide you with safe, non-invasive pain relief and accelerated healing.
How does Shockwave Work?
By delivering powerful sound waves directly to your injured tissues, shockwave therapy sets off a series of remarkable biological reactions to kick-start the healing process.
Let’s take a closer look at the standout benefits of shockwave therapy, in detail:
- Increased Cell Wall Permeability: Focus shockwaves have the unique ability to increase the permeability of cell walls, allowing vital nutrients and healing factors to penetrate deep into your tissues, kickstarting the recovery process like never before.
- Microcirculation Stimulation: Experience a surge in blood and lymph circulation as Focus shockwaves awaken your body’s microcirculatory system. This means improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to the affected areas, facilitating faster healing and regeneration.
- Pain Modulation: Say goodbye to persistent pain! Focus shockwaves trigger the release of Substance P neurotransmitter, a powerful pain modulator that helps to alleviate discomfort and restore your quality of life.
- Vasodilation Supercharge: Get ready for a major boost in blood flow! Focus shockwaves act as potent vasodilators, causing significant hypotension. This means enhanced circulation and nourishment to tissues, promoting optimal healing and recovery.
- Cavitation and Nitric Oxide Release: Prepare to witness the incredible power of cavitation! Focus shockwaves stimulate the release of nitric oxide, a natural substance that heightens cell metabolism, promotes new blood vessel formation (neo-angiogenesis), and exerts a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect, ensuring a speedier recovery.
- Tissue Regeneration: Your body possesses an amazing ability to regenerate itself, and Focus shockwave therapy helps unlock its full potential. Experience accelerated tissue regeneration as the therapy prompts the production of growth factors, setting the stage for a rapid and effective healing process.
What conditions can be treated with FOCUS Shockwave Therapy?
Focus Shockwave is effective for a variety of conditions and unlike radial, can be also be used in acute painful state and for bone healing. Focus Shockwave therapy has been shown to provide a 70- 80% success rate in reducing chronic tendon pain within 12 weeks of starting treatment. While it is not a miracle cure and should always be used as part of a clinical rehab and treatment plan, it is known to have particular application in the following conditions:
- Patients who have not improved with Radial Shockwave
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Patella tendon pain
- Greater Trochanteric syndrome / Tendon pain
- Shin Splints/Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
- Myofascial Pain
- Shoulder Pain / Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy
- Bone Healing/Stress Fractures/Non-Union
- Thumb Pain/Dequervain’s tenosynovitis
- Knee and Joint arthritis / Medial Knee OA
- Adductor tendon pain/ Groin Pain
- Osteitis Pubis
- Tibialis Posterior /Peroneal Tendon Pain
- Morton Neuroma
- Trigger Finger
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Coccydynia
- Urological indications (ED)
What are the Contra-indications?
Shockwave Therapy is not advised in these instances:
- If you are pregnant
- Over open growth plates
- Over the lungs
- Over major blood vessels
- Over infected areas
- If you have had a recent steroid injection
- If you are on anti-coagulant medication
- If you have an active cancer
How many treatments will I need?
All patients will undergo a minimum of 3 treatments, usually performed at intervals of 5-10 days. Based on your progress and specific circumstances, a decision will be made regarding the need for further treatment. If you’ve been dealing with a chronic injury, additional sessions may be required to fully address the underlying issues. The majority of patients do not require more than a total of 6 sessions.
However, for patients seeking shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction and pelvic pain, the treatment protocol differs. Due to the nature of these conditions, a longer delivery of treatment is necessary, and a higher number of sessions, typically ranging from 6 to 12, is more common.
Remember, shockwave therapy is not a standalone solution, but rather an integral part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Our team of experienced professionals will guide you through every step, customizing your therapy to suit your unique needs and goals.
