Shock Waves are movements of extremely high pressure caused by, for example, an explosion, an earthquake or a plane breaking the sound barrier. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is the application of Shock Waves in medicine.
It is clinically proven that pressure waves, when applied to injured tissues, stimulate metabolic reactions and promote the initial phases of healing.
When the clinician applies ESWT to injured tissue. Injuries are affected in three ways:
Everyone has C nerve fibres in their body and when these fibres are activated, they release a substance called substance P. Substance P is responsible for causing pain and discomfort. ESWT activates C nerve fibres, initially causing a widespread release of substance P which causes discomfort during application. After a prolonged period of applying ESWT, C nerve fibres are disarmed and incapable of producing substance P.
A reduction in the production of substance P in tissue, leads to a reduction in pain.
This reduction of nerve fibre stimulation, together with increasing blood circulation and the activation of stem cells in the treated tissue, promotes recovery and can significantly reduce musculoskeletal pain.
A minimum of 3 x shockwave therapy sessions scheduled 1-2 weeks between appointments. Shockwave therapy could also be combined with rehabilitation and orthotics.
Appointments are available at all clinical sites.
