The benefits of revolutionary Shockwave Therapy treatment for MSK Conditions.
What conditions does Shockwave Therapy treat?
Shockwave Therapy is highly effective for many different types of MSK pains and injuries.
It can be used for different soft tissue ailments including common conditions like Achilles tendonitis, Plantar fasciitis, Hip bursitis (GTPS) and Tennis elbow but it is also very effective for more complicated issues like those that involving bones and joints such as stress fractures, non-union fractures, facet joints in the lower back and sacroiliac pain around the pelvis and spine.
Radial Vs Focused Shockwave Therapy.
What are the differences between these two types of Shockwave treatments?
This video highlights the differences between the two types of Shockwave therapy and how they work to heal MSK ailments such as Tendinopathies.
We are one of a limited number of clinics in the UK that has access to both Radial and Focused Shockwave. This is where we offer game changing results compared to other clinics that are limited to just Radial Shockwave therapy. Ideally the best possible Shockwave treatment would generally involve both Radial and Focused in combination. In most cases, we also apply Myofascial release treatment as well. These three therapies together makes the world of difference for most conditions.
Unlike Radial Shockwave, Focused Shockwave Therapy works by staying in one exact location of the body and focusing all of the energy into one main point of pain / injured tissue. Focused Shockwave also has the added bonus of being able to be used for acute conditions, as well as chronic conditions.
Shockwaves can be either Focused or Radial. Radial shockwave therapy machines produce pressure waves that are strongest at their source (the handpiece) but the energy dissipates as it penetrates into the tissue. The further they travel, the weaker they become. They can reach treatment depths of up to a maximum of 5cm.
Radial can be used for certain issues - such as tendinopathies and muscular issues nearer to the surface, including Plantar Fasciitis. Radial shockwaves are also used really well to cover larger general regions of the body, such as the back muscles where the energy doesn't need to be as specific and targeted to one area.
Focused shockwave therapy machines produce sound waves that are able to penetrate into deeper regions of the body, up to 125 mm. It is at this point that they reach their maximum energy. Focused shockwaves are used in the treatment of deeper trigger points and areas, such as deep tendinopathies, bone conditions like osteoarthritis, stress fractures but can also be used for Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
The difference in penetration between Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy.
This diagram shows perfectly the difference between Radial and Focused Shockwave therapy and why tendonitis shockwave treatment therapy can be done with Radial, as it doesn't have to penetrate as deeply.
The diagram clearly demonstrates how much deeper and focused the energy of Focused Shockwave can go compared to Radial. This is why Focused Shockwave is able to treat the deeper ailments, such as bone issues like Osteoarthritis, Insertional tendinopathies, Deep seated tendons, Stress fractures and Facet joint pain.
The biological effects Focused Shockwave therapy -
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Cavitation Release of nitric oxide (increased cell metabolism, neoangogenesis, anti-inflammatory effect)
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Stimulation of growth factors
Patients who are unable to tolerate Radial Shockwave treatments for very acute injuries, will also benefit from Focused Shockwave therapy in the real early stages of their recovery where Radial Shockwave cannot be tolerated.
Shockwave therapy has both NICE guidance and FDA approval for a large number of indications.
What is Myofascial release therapy? How can it help me alongside Shockwave Treatment?
Here at The Shockwave Therapy Clinic we have specialist tools that we use with the Radial Shockwave machine for Myofascial release of the fascia tissue. (The tight areas known as muscle knots or trigger points).
“Myo” means muscle and “fascial” refers to the connective tissue that covers and supports the muscles throughout your entire body.
This works really well for healing MSK pains and injuries such as Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendonitis, when used in combination together with Radial or/and Focused Shockwave.
These have a huge benefit in decreasing pain, increasing mobility, improve circulation and postural issues.
When combining Myofascial release, Radial and Focused Shockwave together, it can be the most effective treatment to accelerate healing by promoting tissue regeneration and faster recovery. Together they are perfect to cover all angles of speeding up the body's natural healing process. The combination treatments and our first class training with many leading practitioners in the Shockwave world, is truly what sets us apart from many other Shockwave clinics and elevates us to the top.
Radial Vs Focused Indications
A list of a some of the ailments each different type of Shockwave Therapy is used to treat. Shockwave Therapy is generally the most effective when each type of Shockwave therapy is combined together to gain maximum benefits. Even issues dealing more with the joints, such as OA or Carpal Tunnel are still more effective with the combination approach. Sessions are always catered to every individuals specific needs.
Only for chronic conditions (3 months +).
Tendonitis Shockwave Treatment including - Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis and Patella Tendonitis. Chronic Pain, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Myofascial Pain, Muscular Pain and Tightness - larger surfaces areas and not so deep rooted ailments.
Radial
Can be used for both chronic and acute conditions.
Bone Healing, Stress Fractures, Osteoarthritis, Carpal Tunnel, Tennis / Golfers Elbow, Insertional Pain, Lateral hip pain (GTPS), Tendinopathies, Morton's Neuroma, Bone Spurs, Bursitis, TMJ Dysfunction (jaw), Erectile Dysfunction, Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB). Lower back pain including Facet joints - deep rooted issues.
Focused