RPW Shockwave Therapy (RPW) is a treatment modality used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Shockwave therapy is recommended for chronic soft tissue injuries, particularly those that have not responded to typical conservative treatment (ice, heat, stretching, strengthening, massage, supportive footwear, orthotics etc).

There is evidence to support Shockwave Therapy in the treatment of:

• Heel Pain (plantar fasciitis)
• Achilles Tendon Injuries
• Shin Pain
• Stress Fractures
• Osteoarthritis
• Delayed Bone Healing

How does Shockwave Work?

Shockwave Therapy is delivered using a machine that generates low-energy soundwaves through your skin to the site of the injury. It has been extensively researched and is recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. It has been shown to reduce pain levels and accelerate healing times. It does this by:

• Increasing blood flow to the surrounding tissues
• Nurturing and accelerating the healing process through cell regeneration and collagen synthesis
• Stimulates nerves to help decrease sensitivity in the area of pain

Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, highly-effective, requires no anaesthesia and has no nasty side-effects. It is relatively pain-free and you can return to work straight after your treatment. Depending on your condition you may be able to continue to exercise whilst seeking treatment.

In most cases, 4 treatments placed 1-week apart will be required to successfully treat the majority of patients. A reduction in symptoms is often experienced after 2 treatments, however it is important to understand that the healing process continues for up to 3 months following the final treatment.

Each treatment session lasts between five to 10 minutes, depending on the condition to be treated.

Contraindications Include

• Pregnancy
• Haemophilia or other blood clotting disorders
• Acute inflammation
• Disturbed sensory or nervous function eg. Diabetes
• Corticosteroid injections – wait a minimum of 6 weeks after local injections
• Malignancy
• Prosthesis and implants

Side Effects of Shockwave Therapy

Common side effects include

• Reddening
• Swelling
• Pain
• Red spots (Petechia)

These symptoms usually abate after 2-3 days. As Radial Shockwave Therapy initiates a pro-inflammatory condition in the tissue being treated it is recommended not to use any anti-inflammatory medication or ice on the treated area as both will interfere with the body’s self-healing abilities.