What Is Shockwave Therapy?

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

What is it?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has been used for the past 20 years, it is the application of shock waves in medicine. A shock wave is a series of pulses produced by compressed air converting into acoustic energy. The acoustic pulses are transmitted through a dispersive wave targeting the tissue of an affected area.

Shockwave therapy is used on chronic tendon conditions it’s clinically proven to:

– Produce an inflammatory response
– Reduce pain felt by nerve fibres
– Increased circulation of blood into the surrounding soft tissues
– Begin the healing process triggered by stem cell activation
– Break down scar tissue & possibly calcification

Here at ACE Feet in Motion, we specialise in treating lower limb conditions. We use shockwave therapy to treat stubborn chronic injuries. This treatment can reduce pain and promote blood to the affected area to trigger the recovery process for non-healing tissue. Research indicates shockwave therapy has successful outcomes on chronic conditions. If you have been experiencing symptoms for more than 3-4 months shockwave therapy could be beneficial to you.

You will need an initial appointment where our experienced podiatrists will assess & diagnose the cause of your pain. If this condition is one that responds well to shockwave therapy this will be discussed and a treatment plan devised. Often a loading & stretching plan along with orthoses can lead to the best results.

Common conditions that can be treated include:

– Plantar Fasciitis
– Achilles Tendinopathy
– Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome – (Shin Splints)
– Patella Tendinopathy
– Osgood Schlatter disease
– Proximal Hamstring tendinopathy
– Greater Trochanteric pain syndrome

When should I consider having shockwave therapy?

– You are suffering from a known condition that responds well to the treatment
– You have tried 3 months of conservative treatment with no real improvement
– insoles, footwear changes, stretching etc.
– When surgery or other more invasive treatments are the only other alternatives.
– When there are no known contraindications.

What should I expect?

Before you go ahead with the treatment a medical checklist will be completed to ensure it is suitable & safe for you.

Shockwave therapy is not painful but there can be mild discomfort during & after the treatment.
Each treatment session only lasts between 5-10 minutes and evidence suggests at least 3-6 sessions are needed. This can vary between patients depending on how long their injury has presented for.

The sessions should be 7-10 days apart to get the best inflammatory response, during this time you should avoid applying ice to the treated area and avoid taking anti-inflammatory medication. You should also refrain from high impact/strenuous activity for 24 hours after your treatment. It can often take up to 12 weeks for the full effects of shockwave to take place.

Benefits of ESWT:
– Non-invasive – Quick & safe treatment
– No anaesthetic required – Minimal risks & complications

The effectiveness of the treatment for specific conditions has been reviewed and accepted by both NICE (UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and FDA (US Food and Drug Administration).

Call or email us today for more information on this treatment. 
A package of 3 shockwave therapy treatments is £200. Single sessions cost £75. You will need an initial consultation if you do not have a diagnosis. If the treatment is suitable for you, we can begin the treatment at the initial consultation. 
Some health insurance policies cover shockwave therapy, check with yours if you are eligible.

0800 622 6789 | ace@feetinmotion.co.uk | www.feetinmotion.co.uk