Shockwave Therapy; An Introduction

By Daniel Graham, Principal Podiatrist, Quay Health Sydney

Shockwave Therapy was originally used to treat kidney stones almost half a century ago. Now due to the remarkable biological and therapeutic effects, it is used by registered health professionals to treat numerous soft tissue conditions.

“It’s a sound wave, not an electric shock”

Unlike the name suggests shockwave therapy is not a type of electric shock therapy but actually a sound wave therapy. It uses acoustic mechanical waves to cause positive responses at a molecular and cellular level to initiate regenerative biological responses (increased healing rates).

Different types of shockwave machines can vary in the way they generate acoustic sound waves. In a radial shockwave machine, the shockwaves are generated by sending a little metal “bullet” back forth along a metal guiding tube to impact on a transmitter. The transmitter will then produce the desired acoustic sound waves and send them through the soft tissue.

What does Shockwave Therapy do?

The effect of this has demonstrated through rigorous research to cause:

Pan relief
Increased blood flow
Increased healing rates
Tissue and nerve regeneration
Increased healing rates of chronic tendon issues

However, the treatment is not a miracle cure and your suitability for shockwave therapy will need to be assessed by your health practitioner.

Is Shockwave Therapy safe?

Shockwave therapy has shown to be a safe, non-invasion and effective treatment and is highly recommended when conservative treatments have failed and prior to surgical intervention (condition specific of course).

If this sounds like something that you may benefit from, or you would like to find out if you are suitable for shockwave therapy, Click Here to make an appointment.