Shockwave Therapy or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a way of treating painful musculoskeletal problems using ultrasonic pulses that penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissues causing reduction of pain and tissue healing effects such as restoration and remodeling of the cells.
Shockwaves can be applied on a variety of pathologies usually related to muscles, tendons and connective tissue. Research data have shown that shockwaves have very good results in the following musculoskeletal pathologies:
- Shoulder tendinopathy (with or without calsification)
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Bursitis of the trochanter at the hip
- Lateral epicodylitis – Tennis Elbow
- Patelar tendinopathy at the knee
- Heel spur and plantar fasciitis
- Morton’s syndrome at the foot
- Shin splints
- Trigger points and painful muscle contractions
The shockwave treatment is not painful but to gain the desirable effects the patient may feel a small discomfort at the treated site which resolves immediately after the application.
The positive results are obvious from the first appointment as the patient will feel and move better. Usually shockwave therapy is part of a wider physiotherapy treatment plan that can include manual therapy, massage and exercise.
