Results from diagnostic ultrasound scans (whereby medical/orthopaedic referral is not required), may lead to the consideration of relevant treatment modalities.

Depending on the pathology shown/injury sustained and history of the injury itself, may well require targeted treatment. These such decisions will be made with your primary clinician and yourself. One of these being Shockwave Therapy.

Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to help heal damaged tissues.

Clinical research shows that it has a positive effect on various (particularly stubborn/chronic) injuries in the musculo-skeletal system.

Soft tissues including ligaments/tendons/fascia/bursae/cartilage generally do not receive a direct oxygenated blood supply that muscle tissue does…meaning healing rates of the tissues can be slow and lengthy for the patient. If tissue healing/adaptation hasn’t occurred in the early days of initial injury, the injury may well be accepted as ‘normal’ by the body and a chronic injury remains.

Sometimes it becomes necessary as therapists, to kick-start a new, desirable method of tissue regeneration/remodelling etc. Breaking down old scar tissue or increasing a blood flow to the target area is needed. This allows a reduction in pain/symptoms and improves tissue state/function/range of movement, for example.

It is also possible to treat areas of osseus (hard, bone tissue) using shockwave, i.e: bone spurs - which may be catching/encroaching/tearing the surrounding soft tissues. It is often a well-indicated modality before orthopaedic intervention is considered/required.

A hand-held shockwave appliance is used by your qualified therapist, to deliver shockwaves from the surface of your skin (using some ultrasound gel to allow a smooth glide throughout treatment), into the targeted area beneath. It is non-intrusive in this manner.