Shockwave Therapy
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a non-invasive, non-surgical form of treatment that can accelerate healing and improve tissue health. Shockwave therapy involves the introduction of strong energy pulses to an affected area or injury site for a period of 2-5 minutes. Doing so has been shown to stimulate cellular metabolism, enhance blood circulation, and regenerate damaged tissue(s).
How do I know if my condition is appropriate for SWT?
The Physiotherapists at South Island Physiotherapy have the experience and knowledge to determine if your condition will improve through the use of SWT. After assessing your condition, and screening for medical conditions, should you be a good candidate for SWT – your physiotherapist will develop a unique rehabilitation protocol that’s appropriate for your degree of injury and stage of healing.
Who’s a good candidate for SWT?
Many factors influence who might be a good candidate for SWT. For example, is your condition new or old? Is it reoccurring? Is it prone to swelling? What is the quality of pain? How painful can it become? How long does it take for your pain to reduce from its highest point to its lowest. In general, we find that older conditions that have struggled to heal respond best to a course of SWT.
What should I expect during treatment?
During SWT, an acoustic pressure wave is transmitted from the treatment probe to the affected area or injury site. This wave has the ability to penetrate deep into tissues that are struggling to heal. The treatment process is short (2-5 minutes), but it can be moderately uncomfortable. However, following treatment patients often experience a reduction in pain as well as improved mobility.
What does a course of SWT look like?
Though every patient and their condition are unique, we recommend 5-8 sessions of SWT at an interval of once per week. It’s important to stimulate cellular metabolism and circulation early and often when attempting to regenerate tissue. The Physiotherapists at South Island Physiotherapy will parallel your course of SWT with progressive exercises so that new tissue becomes more resilient and less susceptible to future injury.
Are there any side effects to SWT?
Not only is SWT a non-invasive, non-surgical method for regenerating tissue, but it’s also incredibly safe. The most common side effect is a degree of post-treatment soreness. If it occurs, don’t worry! It typically resolves within 24 hours.
How do I book for SWT?
If you’re interested in SWT you can book with one of our Physiotherapists HERE