Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) is a clinically proven non-invasive and multi-disciplinary device used to treat many localised musculoskeletal pain. Shockwave is an acoustic wave that carries high energy to painful spots and myoskeletal tissues with subacute, subchronic, and chronic conditions. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues. Shockwaves are characterised by jump change in pressure, high amplitude and non-periodicity.
Radial Shockwave Therapy works by sending rapid percussion shock waves into your soft tissues or outer layers of bone. As a result, it re-injures the area on a cellular level in a controlled manner and breaks up the scarring that has often developed in your muscles, tendons, ligaments, or fascia layers. The controlled tissue re-injuring helps the body stimulate the production of bone-forming cells and micro blood vessels. The resulting neovascularisation (growth of new blood vessels to an old damaged area) will bring about faster healing and better nutrient supply to healing tissues.
This therapy is considered to be particularly useful in assisting with pain management and tissue rehabilitation. The efficacy of the modality is often linked to three reasons mainly:
- The shockwaves will stimulate a metabolic reaction in the tissue affected.
- It will help break down fibrous adhesions between tissues thus allowing restored mobility.
- It induces an analgesic reaction mechanism that results in the blocking of pain messages to the brain.
It can be safely done by our therapist in these simple steps:
- The location of the area to be treated is located and determined by your therapist through palpation. This is done to ensure the therapy is delivered accurately.
- A friction-reducing gel is applied to the area targeted. The gel is necessary so the transfer of the percussion waves is done smoothly and efficiently.
- The shockwave applicator is then gently pushed into the area that needs treatment and the start button is pressed for an indicated number of impulses to each section.
Radial Shockwave Therapy is best suited for pain that has been present for 6 weeks or longer. This specialist modality is most often used to treat common conditions we see including Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Shin Splints and Rotator Cuff Injuries.
This therapy should not be used if there is a circulation of nerve disorder, infection, bone tumor, or metabolic bone condition. It should also not be used if there are any open wounds or during pregnancy. If in doubt, seek professional advice.
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