Health Blog

Shockwave therapy or Radial Pressure wave therapy

We are now able to offer shockwave therapy at Springbank Clinic.

What is radial Pressure wave therapy?
RPW therapy is a non invasive treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to generate oscillations in the tissue. These waves can promote blood flow, activate connective tissue and help to reduce muscle painaiding the treatment of trigger points, tendinitis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

What does RPW feel like?
Patients may report soreness and a thumping sensation when the treatment head passes over dysfunctional tissue. The level of discomfort depends on the area being treated, the settings on the device and the state of the condition. Minor post treatment soreness is not uncommon, although an anaesthetic sensation is also possible.

How long do treatments last?
Generally around 10 minutes.

How many treatments will I need?
Generally, 3-6, but this will depend on the condition, results and therapist discretion.

Conditions that it can help
Generally chronic conditions that have not responded to other conservative approaches.

Plantar fasciitis Patella Tendonitis
Shin Splints Frozen shoulder
Achilles tendinopathy Tennis Elbow
Gluteal tendon issues Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
Rotator cuff issues Calcific tendinopathy

There are several working hypothesis for the physical effects of radial pressure waves, pain reduction and increased blood circulation that may be quite beneficial, stimulating an acute response to initiate healing activity.

• Pain Reduction: Neurologically, shock waves produce a counter irritation at the dorsal root ganglion actually modulating the amount of nocioceptive activity and decreasing the pain signal and actually closing the theoretical pain gate.
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• Revascularization: Vascular changes such as increased blood circulate in tissues, which increases the oxygen content and significantly reduce the
concentration of carbon dioxide in the tissue which may stimulate the healing process1