Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy is an effective electrotherapy treatment for musculoskeletal complaints. There are several types of shockwave therapy, which can be generated using different physical energies. In our practice, we use radial shockwave, which is created by pneumotic energy and transformed into so-called kinematic energy. This spreads in the form of an energy wave and penetrates the body to exert its therapeutic effect. The waves stimulate the circulation, which starts the healing process and reduces the pain.

The waves speed up the metabolism in the treatment area, The waves speed up the metabolism in the treatment area, improve blood circulation, relax muscles and restore elasticity to tendons and joints.

What is shockwave therapy good for?

Shockwave therapy is mainly recommended for the following musculoskeletal problems:

• Treatment of heel and plantar fasciitis (plantar fasciitis, Haglund's heel, Achilles tendonitis)
• Treating pain around the elbows (tennis-, and golf elbows)
• Treatment of pain around the knee joint (ankylosing spondylitis, patella tendonitis)
• Shoulder complaints (to treat degenerative processes in the muscles of the rotator cuff involving calcification)

Shockwave benefits

Shockwave therapy is effective for treating long-standing, intense pain. One treatment per week is enough to achieve a positive effect. Other can be used as a great complement to conservative therapies (physiotherapy).

Is shockwave therapy painful?

Shockwave therapy has a number of positive effects. One of these ways of reducing pain is by acting on the pain-conducting nerves. It does this according to the Malzack-Wall gate control theory. treatment creates a painful stimulus that penetrates the spinal cord, blocking the path of pain from the injury, preventing the pain from reaching the brain and becoming conscious. During shockwave therapy, the therapist is in constant contact with the patient to adjust the treatment parameters to the ideal setting, thus reducing the discomfort caused by the treatment. Repeated treatments continue to reinforce each other and stimulate the healing process for weeks.

When is shockwave therapy not recommended?

Shockwave therapy is not recommended for patients with the following problems, diseases or conditions:

• Pregnancy
• Neuropathy
• Steroid injection in the painful area within 1 month
• Intellectual disability
• Taking medicines that have a blood-thinning effect
• Treatment of pain in lung organs (e.g. lungs)
• Cancer, previous cancer
• Under 14 years of age or if there are active growth zones