Shockwave Therapy
Introducing Shockwave Therapy
As a physiotherapist I am always asking myself:” How can I do this treatment even better so that it can be more effective?” I get frustrated with certain injuries that appear to need that something extra. That is one of the reasons why all of us at the practice invest in our knowledge and skills on an on-going basis, through courses and workshops.
Over the years I have listened to various Sports Doctors give talks and one thing just kept coming up: Shockwave therapy. The more research I did, the more I knew this could provide a new option in the management of these difficult to treat conditions. I have taken the plunge and invested in the technology for the benefit of our clients!
What is Shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is essentially radial pressure sound waves. These sound waves are generated from a specialized treatment head. It is almost like a gun which gets fired and the force generated causes the bullet to travel at a very high speed in the cylinder of the gun. The force at which it connects with the head creates the sound wave. The pressure and the speed are specifically controlled according to the desired effect. The sound waves then travel through the skin and produce an effect on the underlying target tissues.
The shock waves have been proven to be very effective. Their benefits include: pain relief, enhanced metabolism, revascularization and improved circulation. Major sports teams like: International Athletic teams (e.g. German team in Atlanta), Soccer teams (e.g. France) and now our SA rugby and cricket teams have found Shockwave therapy to be an invaluable part of their treatment modalities.
What conditions does it successfully treat?
- Myofascial Trigger points
- Shoulder pain and calcific tendonitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Patellar tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs
- Tibial stress syndrome
- Disorders of tendon insertions
- Chronic hamstring tendonosis
- Chronic Hip Trochanteric bursitis
- Illiotibial band syndrome
- Bony non-unions
