What conditions can RSWT help?

 Tennis or Golfers elbow

  • Plantar Fasciitis / Fasciopathy
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Calcifying tendinopathy of the shoulder or hip
  • Gluteal or Hamstring tendinopathy
  • Greater Throchanteric Pain Syndrome
  • Patella tendinopathy
  • Chronic low back pain (without current disc pathology)

What is it?

The use of percussive soundwaves from an applicator through to the local tissues to stimulate a healing response in the region of application. The International Society of Medical Shockwave Therapy (ISMST) describes it as the production of a percussive “shockwave” through local tissues to instigate a change in the tissues where pathologies have been identified to instigate a healing process often in long-term chronic conditions. It was first investigated in the early 1950’s and has evolved to be utilised to treat common musculoskeletal injuries today.

Aim of treatment:

  • Reduction of pain, often used as a first line therapy for common tendon injuries as an alternative to steroid injections
  • Instigate or recreate the healing response in the local tissues
  • Instigate creation of new blood vessels, nerve fibres and collagen synthesis in local areas

Benefits:

  • Reduced chance of requiring surgical intervention (ISMST)
  • Continued healing effects of up to 3-months (ISMST)
  • Control of pain is often achieved in the first few treatments, with many patients avoiding escalating to requiring steroid injections (ISMST)
  • Shockwave therapy in conjunction with exercise prescription is considered the gold standard for conservative therapy of many tendon injuries including tennis/golfers elbow, plantar fasciopathy, achilles tendinopathy and more
  • Shockwave combined with exercise prescription has demonstrated increased healing responses, shortened healing timeframes, and longer lasting pain reduction in the long-term when compared to steroid injections alone or steroid & exercise prescription combined.

Speak to your therapist at Ridiculously Well today to see if this will help you. Treatment is delivered by Dr Adam Bradley, Osteopath.