About Shockwave Therapy Sydney

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What is
Shockwave
therapy?

Shockwave is a safe, non-invasive physiotherapy modality that effectively treats a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. It can be a great alternative to surgical intervention, and can often treat stubborn, recalcitrant conditions.

Treatment involves a Shockwave device delivering acoustic waves to the area requiring healing. This benefits injured tissue in a number of ways. Shockwave reduces pain and improves blood supply while promoting tissue regeneration in muscle, tendon, or bone. Shockwave can also reverse chronic tissue inflammation, stimulate collagen production, reduce calcification and release trigger points.

APPROACH

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This is how
we do it

Before undertaking shockwave treatment patients undertake a detailed assessment by a qualified and experienced physiotherapist to determine if shockwave therapy is an appropriate treatment.

Shockwave therapy is done in conjunction with a suitable physiotherapy program, such as an exercise or loading program, and any manual therapy.

We provide the highest level of care and treatment with highly trained therapists using the latest technologies. We also use the world’s best shockwave units, including the Swiss DolorCast and Chattanooga.

SHOCKWAVE PHYSIOTHERAPY BENEFITS

PAIN
REDUCTION

Lowers substance P concentration reducing chronic pain

Shockwaves stimulate pain nerves releasing substance P. It’s this substance that causes pain, including slight discomfort during and after. Following intervention, the level of this peptide is decreased, so you’ll note a pain relieving effect.

NEW BLOOD VESSEL FORMATION

Improves blood supply and oxygenation promoting tissue regeneration

Shockwaves stimulate growth factors, such as eNOS and VEGF, within the treated tissues, promoting new blood vessel formation. In turn, this increased blood supply and oxygenation promotes new cell growth and tissue regeneration to repair your damaged tendon or bone tissue.

REVERSAL OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Restarts the inflammatory process to restore normal healing processes

By mechanically activating mast cells to release pro-inflammatory compounds, shockwaves restart the inflammatory process. This helps restore normal healing and regenerative processes, and the inflammation cycle can stop as expected.

STIMULATION OF COLLAGEN PRODUCTION

Stimulates and accelerates the healing processes

Shockwave activates the main factors involved in the repair process of damaged structures, increasing healing efficiency. Fibroblasts are stimulated and proliferate, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and protein syntheses increase and new collagen forms.

REDUCTION OF CALCIFYING TENDONITIS

Breaks up calcification for removal by the lymphatic system

It’s understood acoustic waves break up calcium build-up around a traumatised tendon. And the lymphatic system then removes the granular particles of calcium. As a result, you can expect an increased range of motion, pain reduction, and improved function.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

Breaks the circle of abnormally contracted sarcomeres

Shockwave physio applies mechanical energy to relieve muscle ‘knots’. It’s understood that acoustic waves relieve local ischaemia (inadequate blood supply) and break up waste product build up that limits muscle function – breaking the vicious cycle of trigger points.

WHAT CAN SHOCKWAVE TREAT?

HOW DOES SHOCKWAVE WORK?

SHOCKWAVE PHYSIOTHERAPY FAQS

Will Shockwave therapy help me?

Shockwave therapy is helpful for treating a large number of musculoskeletal pathologies including tennis elbow, heel/foot pain, shin splints, frozen shoulder, shoulder pain, chronic hamstring injuries, heel spurs, knee osteoarthritis, hip pain/bursitis, delayed bone healing and spasticity in patients with Cerebral Palsy.

What are the risks involved?

There are clear benefits to Shockwave treatment, there are also some risks and discomfort to be aware of and discuss with your physiotherapist at the first consultation. Patients may experience temporary discomfort during or immediately following treatment. Patients need to give a full disclosure of pre-existing conditions at the consultation to determine if Shockwave therapy is safe and appropriate treatment.

Are there contraindications?

A contraindication is a condition or factor that serves as a reason to with-hold a particular treatment. Although there are benefits to Shockwave there are also risks or contraindications to treatment. These include treating:

Air filled tissue: lung, gut, heart
Pre-ruptured tendons (directly over this site)
Pregnant Women
Patients under the age of 18 (except Osgood Schlatter and muscle spacticity)
Bleeding disorders or taking oral anti-coagulants
Tissue with local tumors, bacterial and/or viral infections
Over local cortisone injections (within a 3 month period)

Does the Treatment hurt?

You should expect to feel pain during the treatment. You may also experience reddening, numbness and swelling of the skin over the treatment area. Having a moderate amount of pain during treatment is essential to attaining an optimal treatment response.