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What is Shockwave Therapy?

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What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a scientifically proven treatment for pain, acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
A shockwave is an acoustic wave, which carries high energy into injured areas.
The acoustic waves reduce pain, increase blood flow, stimulate new blood vessel formation, reverse chronic inflammation, stimulate collagen production and dissolve calcium deposits.

These processes collectively speed up the healing process of the injured area.

How does Shockwave Therapy actually work?

Through the dispersal of a neurotransmitter called Substance P into the injured area, which modulates pain perception by altering cellular signalling pathways, resulting in an analgesic effect.
Through Substance P, which stimulates the release of Nitric Oxide, which then causes the vasodilation of blood vessels.
Through the micro rupture of capillaries, the expression and production of growth factors, the reformation of arterioles, and the enhanced blood supply and oxygenation.
Through increased mast cell production, the subsequent production of chemokines and cytokines, and the restoration of normal proliferation and remodelling stages of healing.
The synthesis of collagen Type III fibres is accelerated and the fibres are conformed into denser, firmer structures.
Calcium deposits in a tissue are broken down through dissolution. The granular remains are then removed via the lymphatic system.
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Why is this beneficial?

Well, take a moment to think about what your pain is stopping you from doing.

With a course of shockwave therapy treatment, you can get you back to doing what you love to do significantly quicker than by having a course of physiotherapy treatment alone.

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What can shockwave therapy be used for?

Here at Jonathan Clark Physiotherapy, we have successfully, and rapidly, helped clients to overcome the following conditions with a course of shockwave therapy: –

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Achilles Tendinopathy
  • Patella Tendinopathy
  • Gluteal Tendinopathy (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
  • Hamstring Tendinopathy
  • Quadricep Tendinopathy
  • Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
  • All Other Types of Tendinopathy & Tendinitis
  • Shin Splints
  • Iliotibial Band Syndrome
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Golfer’s Elbow
  • Muscle Strains
  • Ligament Sprains
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What does the Research say?

Shockwave Therapy is a relatively new treatment approach, and as such, the vast majority of the emerging research has been focused on understanding the effects of Shockwave Therapy on the most common conditions listed above.

We have listed a few articles below, which illustrate the effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy for some of these most widely researched conditions: –

Plantar Fasciitis: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11999-013-3132-2 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10468604/

Achilles Tendinopathy: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11999-013-3132-2 and https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1071100712464354 and https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1743919115011164 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9382436/

Patella Tendinopathy: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/3/163.1.short and https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-018-2204-6

There is emerging evidence to support the effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy in the treatment of all the other conditions listed above too, and we have a 4 year track record of successful outcomes, however Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy and Patella Tendinopathy have been the most widely researched so far.

How many Treatment are needed ?

The science recommends 6 treatments, spaced out at weekly intervals, in conjunction with a home exercise programme.