Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been used for decades, and while the name might bring up mental images of institutionalised ‘shock treatment’, it’s not that sort of shock.
In fact, inside this clever little shock wave machine is a piston that moves up and down banging on a specialised head which transmits a radial sound wave into the damaged tissue, which benefits you in 4 proven ways:
- ESWT is a non-invasive treatment which means NO surgery is needed.
- Pain reduction occurs by dulling the nociceptors, which are the pain sensing nerves.
- Collagen production is stimulated which helps muscles, tendons and soft tissue structures to heal and repair.
- The formation of new blood vessels occur in the area because the shock waves promote a process called angiogenesis. This means more oxygen and nutrients are able to help repair injuries.
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How Can Shock Wave Therapy Help?
The result of ESWT is improved blood flow and healing capability in the damaged tissue, and a significant reduction in pain.
There are numerous published scientific studies that demonstrate this as a safe treatment option with positive outcomes. Here’s a link to various studies confirming the safety and effectiveness of shock wave therapy: Effectiveness and Safety of Shockwave Therapy in Tendinopathies
Although this treatment has been trusted for many years in Europe, many clinics in Australia were slow to introduce this treatment modality. Gavin Daly first gained ATRAD accreditation in the use of ESWT in 2011. Tom Kolesnik commenced using shock wave therapy while working with Gavin over 8 years ago so you can be reassured Tom is very experienced in the use of shock wave therapy.
If you are interested in finding out if shock wave therapy is the right treatment for you, call us on 8362 5900 to find out more or BOOK ONLINE by clicking here.
The result of ESWT is improved blood flow and healing capability in the damaged tissue, and a significant reduction in pain. Share on X
What is Shock Wave Therapy Used For?
Over the past few years, Posture Podiatry has been using shock wave therapy as a treatment option for chronic painful conditions including achilles heel pain and plantar fasciitis with some excellent results observed when pain resolution fails using traditional treatment and management. The technology has evolved to a level where the treatment is affordable and can be offered effectively in rooms, and we are proud to be able to provide this service for the benefit of our clients.
We’ve particularly found it useful for the treatment of:
- Heel pain and heel spurs
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arch pain
- Bursitis,
- Tendonitis and tendinopathies
- Synovitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Non-healing stress fractures
By varying the intensity and spread of the sound waves we can also target muscle pain, and promote healing of tendons and ligaments – getting you back on your feet faster after injury.
In medical-speak the treatment is known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), and Posture Podiatry uses an EMS Swiss Dolorclast System which is considered the best available.
Further studies for ESWT can be found at the following links:
Radial shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis: a one year follow-up study
Who Should Not Have Shock Wave Therapy?
Contraindications for ESWT include:
- Patients who have pacemakers.
- Patients taking blood thinning medications that may prolong or interfere with blood clotting (coumadin) are not candidates for ESWT.
- Patients with tumours.
- Children or pregnant women are not considered appropriate candidates for ESWT.
- Very acute cases of plantar fasciitis. ESWT is not appropriate for individuals suffering from acute plantar fasciitis which is less than four weeks old. Other conservative treatment measures should be exhausted prior to considering extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
If you are interested in finding out if shock wave therapy is the right treatment for you, call us on 8362 5900 to find out more or BOOK ONLINE by clicking here.
