Benefits of Radial Shockwave Therapy

About shockwave therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or Shockwave Therapy involves the delivery of high-energy sound waves transmitted via a handpiece. This process increases blood flow and metabolic activity around the targeted area, which assists in reducing pain and accelerates the healing process.

Benefits and advantages

• Non-invasive

• Decreases pain

• Promotes tissue regeneration and repair

• Improves function

• Can be used with other treatments apart from cortisone

• No down-time from sport or work is necessary

• Effects can be rapid

• Minimal side effects

 

Shockwave Therapy has been around since the mid-1980s and was initially used in a medical setting in treatment of kidney stones. The clinical efficiency of shockwave therapy led to the development of treating soft tissue injuries in the early 1990s.

At our Birtinya Clinic in 2024, we have happily invested in the state-of-the-art Swiss Dolorclast Radial Shockwave machine. Research supports the Swiss Dolorclast technology as the most advanced in the industry, specifically in providing reliably measurable dosages of impulses during treatment duration.

Treatment is conducted by one of our certified Osteopaths and usually lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.

 

How does it work?

Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment in which a device is used to pass controlled, short-duration acoustic shockwaves through the skin to the affected area.

Initiating a process of targeted, mild inflammation prompts the local tissue of the body to increase blood circulation and metabolism in the treatment area. This speeds up the body’s natural healing processes through increased blood flow. It stimulates cell regeneration and reduces factors that can cause pain.

The application of shockwave therapy has also been shown to break down injured tissue and calcifications.

 

What conditions is it used for?

Shockwave therapy is a well-researched, effective treatment for conditions that are chronic (12 weeks or longer) and have been otherwise unresponsive to rest, medication and treatment.

 

These include:

• Back pain – yes, all areas

• Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs

• Achilles tendinopathy and thickening

• Tennis and Golfer’s elbow

• Patella tendonitis (jumper’s knee)

• Calcific tendonitis of the Rotator Cuff in the shoulder

• Frozen shoulder

• Lateral hip pain (greater trochanteric bursitis)

• Gluteal tendinopathy

• Hamstring tendinopathy

• Hallux limitus associated with painful bunions, though it will not cure the structural defect of bunions.

 

Does it hurt?

The initial phase of treatment may cause some mild pain however this indicates correct targeting of the problem area. Once sensitivity of the area reduces over time the latter phase of treatment feels less painful. Most patients can tolerate this discomfort due to the pain relieving benefits that it provides.

 

How many sessions does it take?

The number of treatments varies depending on the indication and tissue response. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so you will typically need more than 1 or between 3 to 5 at weekly intervals. Very often though, you will experience relief right after the first treatment. To maximise the healing time, it is critical that you follow your management advice and participate in tendon specific exercises.

Radial Shockwave Therapy can be used in conjunction with Osteopathy, which will ensure that prescribed exercises and advice about ideal body biomechanics are addressed, and the area can function optimally.
Pricing for shockwave

We offer Radial Shockwave therapy within your standard Osteopathic consultation. The cost of each session is an extra $15 and will be added to your total.

 

Contraindications or precautions to be aware of:

• If you have a cardiac pacemaker please tell us prior to treatment as shockwave therapy may interfere with this

• Cortisone injections should not be administered within 6 weeks prior to shockwave treatment

• Please tell us if you are on Warfarin or other blood thinning therapy, as shockwave therapy can cause some local bruising and bleeding in the treated tissues

• Children (open growth plates)

• Pregnancy

• Acute Injuries

• If you have been diagnosed with cancer you should notify your clinician as Radial Shockwave Therapy treatment would not be appropriate.

 

If you have any further questions about our offered Radial Shockwave Therapy, please reach out and we will be happy to help.