Shockwave Therapy

Whatever we put out bodies through – be it vigorous training for our next event, some overzealous digging in the garden at the weekend, or just too much time hunched over a laptop, chances are we’ll all experience muscular pain from time to time. It’s such a common complaint, with so many variations that there are any number of treatments available, from the more traditional remedies such as massage and saunas, to alternative therapies like acupuncture and reflexology, and even some extreme solutions like cryogenics. When it comes to pain relief, having options is definitely a good thing – we say if something works for you, use it! One treatment for pain relief that you may not have heard of is known as Shockwave Therapy. While this might sound quite extreme, it’s actually a very non-invasive type of treatment that has been shown to work on an extremely wide range of conditions, from chronic pain to tennis elbow. In this post we’ll break down what Shockwave Therapy is, how it works, and aim to offer some guidance on whether it could be an effective treatment for you. 

What is Shockwave Therapy? 

Let’s put your mind at ease right away – nobody is getting electrocuted here! Shockwave Therapy, or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (EWCS) to give it its full name – works by sending high energy sound waves into an area of injury or discomfort. It is completely non-invasive and can be used to target very specific areas of the body. Studies have shown it to be an effective treatment for everything from whiplash to tendinopathy and even bone stress injuries. 

How Shockwave Therapy Works

In essence, the shockwave device helps the body to trigger its own healing process. The energy pulses that are sent through the affected area stimulate an acute inflammation response, much as your body would naturally do after an injury. With the tissue inflamed, the body knows to increase blood flow to the area, bringing more oxygen and other healing chemicals such as collagen to the site. The waves can also help to break up areas of calcified tissue, or ‘knots’ as we massage therapists commonly call them. The process of a shockwave therapy treatment takes around 5 – 10 minutes. A therapist will rub a special gel to the affected area in order to help the conduction of the sound waves, then will hold the device lightly against the skin. It can feel a little uncomfortable as the energy pulses through the area, and the machines can be noisy, but other than this the treatment is simple and completely non-invasive. For most injuries and conditions, around 5 sessions are recommended, though many people start to feel the benefits after just a single session. 

Who Benefits from Shockwave Therapy?

Due to the acute nature of the treatment, shockwave therapy is suitable for an extensive range of conditions including plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, bone stress injuries and more. In short, if you’re feeling pain, it might well be worth giving it a go. However, we’d generally recommend using it in combination with other treatments and physical therapy programs. For example, while the shockwave therapy might help reduce the pain, it will not help treat the underlying cause of the injury in the same way that a tailored program of physical therapy might. It is also worth noting that shockwave therapy is not suitable for women who are pregnant, anyone being treated for cancer, or anyone who has received a steroid treatment within the last 6 weeks. Anyone with more serious injuries or underlying conditions should consult with a therapist before receiving treatment. 

To Shock or not to Shock?

With evidence for the effectiveness of shockwave therapy growing all the time, we’d certainly recommend giving it a go as an alternative way to relieve those aches and pains. It might not be for everyone, but anything that can help us feel great and keep moving is good by us! 

To find out more about shockwave therapy, download our free information leaflets here

If you want to find out about how shockwave therapy might fit in to your exercise/rehabilitation programme, feel free to give us a call on 01823 618233 or book online for your first consultation and treatment today HERE