The use of shockwave therapy to treat numerous conditions has become more common due to its proven effectiveness; at Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic we can now offer this therapy as a treatment.

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a treatment that has been clinically proven and supported to treat different musculoskeletal conditions using intense and short energy pulses which stimulate the healing process of soft tissue. It is both safe and effective.  The machine creates impulses of compressed air that are applied onto the skin with some water-based gel. The impulses are faster than the speed of sound and transform the acoustic waves targeting damaged areas to promote regeneration and reparative processes on the body tissues.

We use a Swiss Dolorclast Master Touch machine – supplied by EMS.

The treatment procedure

The actual treatment only lasts a few minutes and it can be used at the end of your normal physiotherapy appointment for an additional charge.  If you wish to come specifically for shockwave treatment with no physiotherapy, this can be arranged as a separate 15-minute appointment.  Before the treatment begins, your therapist will go through the consent procedure ensuring you understand the procedure.  Some conditions require more treatments than others, but the average is 4-5 sessions.

What does it treat?

Shockwave has different effects on nerves, tendons, muscles, cartilage and bones but it is mainly used in tendon-related injuries like Achilles tendinopathy, patella tendinopathy, greater trochanter pain syndrome or epicondyle tendinopathy as well as plantar fasciitis or subacromial pain syndrome. Additionally, shockwave can be used to treat calcifications or heel spurs.

What are the benefits?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, fast, effective and long-lasting treatment method that can treat several conditions. The therapy will accelerate all tissue repair, cell growth and mobility restoration and has been shown to reduce pain by over 60%. As well as reducing pain, the treatment can also increase metabolism and stimulate revascularisation.

Frequently asked questions

Can Shockwave help me?

Shockwave can help release pain and treat many musculoskeletal conditions like tendinopathies (usually known as tendonitis), calcifications or plantar fasciitis. If you are unsure if shockwave might help you and your pain, our therapists will be more than happy to speak with you.

What to expect during and after the treatment?

Discomfort and pain can be experienced during and after the shockwave treatment, they are part of the natural response of the tissue and they should be resolved within 36 hours.

Are there any contraindications for shockwave?

Shockwave cannot be used in pregnant women, those under 18, people with pre-ruptured tendons, people taking oral anticoagulants, cortisone treatment or blood-clotting disorders, people with tumours, local bacteria or viral infections and it should also not be applied over an air-filled tissue, like the abdomen or the lungs.

Are there any side effects?

Shockwave therapy has minimal risks that usually disappear within 36 hours, the most common are pain and discomfort during and after, reddening of the skin, petechia (little red spots on the skin), swelling and numbness on the area treated.

You can book an appointment with a specialist at Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic via our Booking Page. For more information about Shockwave Therapy, you can download this brochure (opens as a PDF).