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Shockwave Therapy

What is Shockwave therapy?image3

Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy is an exciting new non-invasive treatment which is helpful in providing pain relief for people suffering from a number of common painful orthopaedic conditions or sports injuries. A shockwave is defined as a sound wave that passes through the body and is not an electrical pulse. The sound waves stimulate healing for many physical disorders, particularly persistent ones such as tendonitis.

How does Shockwave work?

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical treatment, and works by delivering impulses of energy, targeted to specific damaged tissues within the damaged area. This increases the blood flow within the area, stimulating cell regeneration and healing, and decreasing local factors which can cause pain. The shockwaves also break down injured tissue and calcifications. You can be treated as an outpatient and the procedure does not require any type of sedation or anaesthetic.

What type of conditions can be treated?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy treatment is a highly effective treatment available for people with chronic type disorders, and is used widely by sports physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. This is a very successful second line treatment for those who fail to respond to traditional physiotherapy.

Examples of conditions suitable for treatment are:

  • Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
  • Calcific Tendonitis of the Shoulder
  • Tennis and Golfer’s elbow
  • Achilles Tendinopathy
  • Trochanteric bursitis (Lateral hip pain)
  • Patella Tendinopathy (Jumpers Knee)
  • Medial Tibial Periostitis (shin splints)

Before starting your treatment

You will be offered an initial consultation with a healthcare professional trained in the use of Shockwave therapy. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have. Your suitability will be assessed and the treatment will be fully explained so you can ask any questions beforehand. We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests are needed.

What image7can I expect during a Shockwave treatment session?

Your therapist will have assessed you physically and will have located the painful area by palpation (feeling), or possibly via referral information from your specialist. The therapist will then apply contact gel before administering the shockwaves. The shockwave is delivered to the tissue via a compressed air impulse exerted by the hand piece. The procedure is non-invasive but may be slightly uncomfortable. Significant clinic benefit is often seen six to eight weeks after treatment. However, most patients find considerable relief in just eight to ten days following the first application

What are the advantages of Shockwave treatment?

  • No anaesthesia required
  • Non invasive
  • No medication
  • No surgery
  • Fast treatment times
  • Fewer complications
  • Virtually painless after treatment
  • Quick recovery and quick results

How successful is Shockwave treatment?image5

Shockwave therapy is a clinically proven evidence based treatment for soft tissue conditions/injuries. This technology has also been approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) along with several other medical bodies and health insurance companies.
Most patients report considerable relief in just eight to ten days following the first application.

Who can access this service?

This is a Premium Service offered by Bluebell Physiotherapy and is currently only available to self-funding and some medically insured clients, such as those with BUPA cover. A GP referral may be required to book an initial appointment, so you are advised to check this before booking.

How much does it cost?

A fixed price for your complete treatment package is available on request and following an initial consultation to determine your treatment needs.
You can trust Bluebell Physiotherapy to provide you with fixed pricing so there are no surprises and finance options are now available so you can spread the costs. Please ask if you would like more details.

Will my Private Health Insurance cover the treatment?

Shockwave therapy is recognised by NICE, so most private medical insurers will cover such treatment. However, it is important that you consult your own insurance company and obtain confirmation that they will cover this treatment prior to your appointment.

Self-funding clients

If you have a long term condition and have tried conservative treatments such as traditional physiotherapy, then you could consider undergoing this treatment. If you want to discuss this with a physiotherapist, please let us know and we can arrange this for you. You can also ask your GP or consultant to refer you directly to us for Shockwave Therapy privately at Bluebell Physiotherapy.

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