Focused Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is typically used to treat deeper chronic conditions (3 months plus) that are unresponsive to standard Physiotherapy interventions. It is clinically proven and a highly effective treatment for chronic soft tissue and bone conditions. Many top athletes are treated with Shockwave for fast and optimum results. It is important when investing in this sort of technology to ensure the equipment is able to deliver accuracy and reliability, as well as having the backing of evidence based research. Storz Medical Switzerland, are well known for building high quality, cutting edge medical equipment and are leaders in Shockwave therapy. Unfortunately some Clinics offering Shockwave Therapy choose a cheaper device which takes a great many sessions and still fail to produce the required result. Ford Physiotherapy Clinic made the decision to invest in the Storz device to deliver an optimum treatment to our Patients at an affordable price. Shockwave is backed by NHS NICE Guidelines and covered by most medical insurance including BUPA.
Here are some of the soft tissue and bony conditions it is able to treat:
The Storz machine creates an electromagnetically generated shock wave. The Shock Wave passes through a Hand Piece directed by the Practitioner to the target area. The energy creates a Positive Pressure to generate Absorption, Reflection and Refraction. Blood Circulation is stimulated and Cell Permeability is increased causing a cascade of Bio Molecular effects; increased Protein Synthesis, Oxygenation and ATP production. Which in turn increases the growth of new Tissue of Ligament, Tendon and Bone. Pain levels reduce due to the release of Substance P.
Shockwave normally requires only 3-4 treatments. Up to 80% of patients treated report a decrease in pain levels and return to normal function. This is a huge response considering the chronic nature of most conditions and in terms of risks, benefits and outcome far outweighs the option of surgical intervention. New research continues to grow and support new uses for this type of cutting-edge relatively new form of treatment.
Ibuprofen and anti- inflammatory medication must not be taken 14 days prior to treatment because it stops your body’s healing process and therefore make treatments useless.
