If you have been injured or have chronic pain, you may be offered a range of different treatments to help with the healing and recovery process. Treatments such as physical therapy and medication for pain relief have been used for many years, and some treatments, such as shockwave therapy, are newer. Here, we’ll take a look at the options so that you can discuss your treatment and make an informed choice about your care.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical method of assisting with injury recovery, addressing pain at the cellular and tissue level to promote effective healing. This is a very useful therapy for soft tissue injuries and chronic tendons injuries, which often do not respond to other forms of physical therapy treatment.
Conditions such as tennis elbow, bursitis, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis can be effectively treated using shockwave therapy, especially when other treatments have been unsuccessful or you are worried about the potential side effects of other treatment options. When you have an injury or chronic pain, finding the most appropriate treatment can make all the difference to the healing process. Here at Roxboro Medical Centre, you can book an initial consultation with one of our experienced doctors to find out which is the best option for you.
Feel the benefits of Shockwave Therapy by booking an appointment with our specialist team today.
What is traditional treatment?
Traditional treatment includes many different approaches, including physical therapy, pain relieving medication, massage and hot/cold therapy. Some of these are likely to be prescribed in the initial period after an injury has occurred, while others, such as physical therapy, are longer term processes that aim to rehabilitate the injury site and prevent further problems in the future.
How does shockwave therapy work?
Shockwave therapy delivers strong sound waves directly to the injured area, aiming to dissolve scar tissue and deposits of calcium that cause pain. Shockwave therapy works by creating micro traumas in the body, triggering tissue repair and the formation of new blood vessels. It can also boost circulation, improving blood flow to the affected area and amplifying the body’s healing response.
The way Shockwave therapy works is by causing the cells to release specific molecules known as ATP, which are needed to repair tissues in the body. This serves to reduce pain and swelling and sends signals to your cells to repair the injured area. Stimulating new collagen protein growth is an essential step in healthy tissue repair as this gives tendons and ligaments their strength and flexibility.
What does traditional treatment involve?
Physical therapy has been used in many different ways in rehabilitation and injury recovery, from massage to physiotherapy and stretching exercises. Physical therapy often aims to teach a patient how to move in a way that can protect and encourage healing in the body, and participation is usually hands-on, with patients learning how to use exercises for themselves.
Physical therapy treatment often focuses on the lifestyle of the patient and promotes flexibility and mobility, helping to prevent future injuries and the worsening of existing injuries. It often involves daily exercises or changes to your routine to accommodate healing.
Pain relieving medication may include over the counter medications or prescription drugs such as muscle relaxants, or it may refer to anti-inflammatory cortisone injections. Some of these can be used only for a short period of time, while others may be recommended as a long-term method for dealing with pain.
What type of treatment is best for you?
When you have an injury, it is helpful to explore the therapeutic approaches available to you and to discuss the options with an experienced medical professional. There are many benefits to each type of physical therapy, and finding the best route for you can be complex.
Here are some key considerations:
- Length of treatment. Shockwave therapy is usually a faster option, giving quicker pain relief, especially for tendon problems. Physical therapy is usually a longer-term approach that aims to build strength and flexibility over time. Physical therapy usually takes several weeks and involves learning and practising a series of daily exercises, while shockwave therapy usually takes three to six sessions of around 15-30 minutes each. While shockwave therapy may seem more expensive on first consideration, it may actually be more cost effective over the course of treatment.
- Passive treatment vs personal involvement. With shockwave therapy, you do not need to be actively involved in the process and can simply attend treatment sessions. Physical therapy requires you to be a hands-on participant, learning how to support your body in recovery.
- Focus of therapy. The different types of therapy have different aims, with physical therapy aiming to build muscle strength, improve mobility and change the way you use your body in the future. Shockwave therapy, however, is designed to address pain at the cellular level to promote tissue healing in the body and aid physical recovery.
- Both shockwave treatment and traditional physical therapy are non-invasive and considered to be very safe. Some minor side effects have been reported, such as redness and mild pain at the site of treatment, but this is unusual and does not cause ongoing discomfort.
Combining Shockwave and traditional treatment
It is possible to combine shockwave therapy with traditional treatments, and many people find that this approach obtains the best results. The combination approach can work well because shockwave therapy stimulates the healing response in the body and reduces pain rapidly. Pain relief can keep you comfortable while the body is healing, while physical therapy can help you to build up the muscles and learn to move in a way that prevents pain in the longer term.
What about side effects?
Most people do not experience side effects when they try shockwave therapy, although occasionally reports have been made of mild pain and red skin in the affected area for a few days following treatment.
Some traditional treatments such as medications have potential side effects, and it is very important to read the information provided in order to familiarise yourself with these so that you can seek medical attention if needed.
How do I know if Shockwave Therapy is suitable for me?
If you have a condition that affects the muscles and tendons, such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow and muscle strains, you may find that shockwave therapy is the solution you need. If your doctor agrees that this is a suitable option for you, you will receive a series of treatments that may feel like a tapping or tingling sensation. Shockwave treatment is designed to speed up healing and activate tissue repair effectively, and it works well in conjunction with traditional treatments.
Shockwave Therapy at Roxboro Medical Centre
At Roxboro Medical Centre, we are at the forefront of healthcare in Limerick. We have a welcoming and experienced team of nurses and doctors who will be happy to discuss your concerns with you, and we offer healthcare for families as well as sports medicine and travel vaccinations.
We provide patient focused care from our convenient location in Limerick City, and you can call or email our team to book an appointment from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Contact us to book an initial consultation with one of our experienced GPs or find out more about our range of services.
Feel the benefits of Shockwave Therapy by booking an appointment with our specialist team today.
Dr. O’Donoghue has a keen interest in Sports Medicine and has completed a Masters Degree in Sports and exercise medicine from University College Cork achieving an honours degree. He has also done additional training in Neurofunctional Acupuncture from McMaster University in Hamilton Canada. He has completed the FIFA Football Medicine Diploma and is a trained provider of the EMS Swiss Dolorclast method for ESWT (extracorporeal shockwave therapy).