Extracorporeal [1] (or radial) shockwave therapy is an emerging technology in Australia which is already very popular throughout the world. Originally being used un urology to blast kidney stones in the 80s, the technology has been modified to treat tendon conditions and more research is being done in its use in many other conditions such as osteoarthritis and wound care to name a couple.
What does it treat?
Here at Back In Motion Como we are using radial shockwave therapy successfully to treat an array of tendon and other conditions such as:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles’ tendinitis
- Shin Splints
- Jumper’s knee (or patella tendinitis)
- Gluteal tendinitis/hip bursitis
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder tendonitis/shoulder bursitis
- Dupuytren’s contracture
How does shockwave therapy work?
Radial shockwave therapy uses a pneumatically powered handpiece that generate low frequency radial shockwaves at the tip of the device, which are transmitted to the site of the injury through a conducting gel [2]. The total treatment time usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes.
Most patients report notable pain relief immediately after therapy, others can take up to 4-5 sessions to achieve significant pain relief. The body’s natural healing process continues after the prescribed course of shockwave therapy for up to 8 weeks post therapy.
Part of the treatment plan will also include advice on how to manage your condition and rehabilitation to strengthen the area, which will minimise the risk of re-injury.
Clinical trials have shown that shockwave therapy has an up to a 90% per cent success rate [3] in some conditions, in as little as three to five sessions.
Benefits of shockwave therapy
Analgesic effect
Shockwave therapy dilutes the presence of the neuropeptide Substance P [4] at the site of the injury, a major source of pain in the target tissue. Other chemical changes associated with the treatment reduce inflammation of the tissue, which intern results in further pain reduction.
Neovascularisation
Repeated shock waves into the affected area stimulates the growth of new blood vessels at the bone and/or tendon junction.
Tissue repair
Repair of the inflamed/irritated area is achieved through a process known as mechanotransduction which sets of a cascade of biochemical reactions [5] in cells that stimulates the tissue regeneration.
Is Shockwave Therapy an alternative to steroid injections?
Steroid (glucocorticoid) injections are sometimes recommended for a number of conditions. However, with tendinopathy, the effect of cortisone injections has decreased over the past decade and could impact the tendon tissue in the long term, including cell necrosis (death) (2).
Shockwave Therapy has been shown to not have the same negative side effects with tendon tissue.
How many shockwave treatments will I need?
The number of shockwave session required will depend on the type of injury, where it is located in the body and how long you have had the injury for. The average number of treatments is three to five sessions (maximum of 8); however, is comes down to the individual. Best practice is treatment five to seven days apart until the course is completed.
What is the cost of Shockwave Therapy?
The cost of shockwave therapy is the cost of one of our standard consultations at Back In Motion plus a surcharge ($60). As your shockwave therapy is performed by a qualified physiotherapist, private health rebates and Medicare (EPC plan) can be utilised towards to cost of treatment.
Will I need a referral for Shockwave Therapy?
No, you do not need a referral, but you require an initial assessment by one of our qualified physiotherapists to determine if shockwave therapy is suitable for you. Please note a GP referral is required if you are under an EPC plan, DVA or compensable client.
Remember, we offer a free initial assessment that is obligation free – so if you do not decide to go ahead, then there is no cost for that assessment.
If shockwave therapy is not suitable for you, we will endeavour to guide you towards another suitable treatment, or for further investigations. If we cannot provide suitable therapy, we should be able to point you in the right direction.
For more information: [1] Extracorporeal – outside the body https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/extracorporeal [2] Conducting gel is a type of conductive medium that enables a tight bond between the skin and the probe or transducer, letting the waves transmit directly to the tissues beneath and to the parts that need to be imaged. It is formulated to act as a coupling agent and reduce static. https://two-views.com/ultrasounds/gel-goo.html [3] Am J Sports Med 2007 35(6):972-8 [4] Substance P - A short chain polypeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter especially in the transmission of pain impulses from peripheral receptors to the central nervous system. [5} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanotransduction