Shockwave Therapy in Southampton
Shockwave therapy, also known as extra-corporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is the non-invasive treatment for many Musculo-Skeletal conditions.
It provides high energy sound waves, or pressure waves, via a hand held device into damaged tissues, that causes microtrauma which puts the cells into repair mode and allows your body to restart its own accelerated healing process.
Shockwave Therapy can have an initial analgesic effect, but it also increases blood flow and stimulates an acute inflammatory response, which aids the healing process.
Have a question about Radial and Focus Shockwave treatments?
Read our Shockwave Therapy Faqs
Shockwave Therapy at The Totalcare Clinic
The aim of the treatment being to reduce pain, improve flexibility, promote healing and accelerate cell regeneration.
In a nutshell, shockwaves are high-energy, audible sound waves that, in rehabilitation therapy, are channelled into an area to accelerate healing.
Shockwave therapy is widely used in osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, sports medicine, urology and orthopaedics to provide fast pain relief and increased mobility.
There are two types of shockwave treatment known as radial and focus shockwave and at The Totalcare Clinic we have a both radial and focus shockwave machines.
The two types of shockwave provide different types of wave patterns and as a result can treat different conditions.
Is Shockwave Therapy Safe?
Shockwave therapy has both NICE guidance and FDA approval for a large number of conditions. Shockwave therapy is a highly trusted treatment modality and is used by hundreds of private clinics and NHS hospitals across the UK.
Are there any risks of
Radial shockwave therapy for MSK injuries?
If delivered by qualified therapists, the treatment is largely risk and side-effect-free, making it a safe treatment choice for musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain. If there are any side effects they are minimal and include discomfort or pain during the therapy session, temporary bruising, and minor swelling.
Is Shockwave Therapy Clinically Proven?
Absolutely. Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven and well approved by the top orthopaedic hospitals and used by well-established professional sports bodies.
Over 3000 papers have been published supporting the use of shockwave therapy in treatment of a plethora of conditions. It is recommended by most consultants and GP’s and is covered by all of the main health insurance companies like AXA and BUPA.
Shockwave Therapy FAQs
If you are unsure if Shockwave Therapy can help with your symptoms, please contact us by phone or email so we can provide you with further information and advice.
How does Shockwave therapy work?
Whether radial or focused, the shockwaves are emitted by the handpiece attached to the shockwave machine and pass through the skin into the affected tissue.
The momentum of these waves creates slight movements in the cells they pass, stretching and deforming them and temporarily increasing their permeability to ions and certain molecules. Substances such as nitric oxide (a vasodilator) and substance P (a growth factor and pain moderator) are also released, among other beneficial chemicals.
Shockwave’s therapeutic effect mostly comes from increases in blood circulation in the tissue, meaning more substances involved in repair can be delivered to the affected site, as well as enhanced metabolic activity, leading to the onset of the healing process.
As demonstrated by professional peer-reviewed research, shockwave therapy is responsible for the following effects:
• Increase in cell permeability
• Stimulation of microcirculation (blood, lymph)
• Release of substance P
• Reduction of non-myelinated nerve fibres
• Release of nitric oxide (NO), which leads to vasodilation, increased metabolic activity and angiogenesis and has an anti-inflammatory effect
• Antibacterial effect
• Release of growth hormones (blood vessels, epithelium, bones, collagen, etc.)
• Stimulation of neurons (neural spiking)
What is the History of Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy was first created back in the 1970’s and was exclusively used as an effective treatment technique for kidney stones. Using this method hugely reduced the need for a painful, invasive surgery.
Later in the 1980s, practitioners using shockwaves to break up kidney stones noticed a secondary result. Bones close to the treatment site were seeing an increase in mineral density. Because of this, researchers began to look into its applications in orthopaedics, which led to its first use in bone fracture healing. Over the coming decades came many more discoveries of its effects and the full potential for therapeutic use that it holds today.
Is Shockwave Therapy painful?
The treatment can be mildly uncomfortable depending on the severity of your condition. However, the treatment is specific to you with each patients having their own progression through the stages.
You will be asked to keep the treatment sensitivity to about a 4/10 on a pain scale. You should be aware of it, but you should be able to breathe and maintain a conversation throughout. The treatment is not more efficient if you work at a high level of pain so therefore, we ask you to talk to us regularly about your pain level to make the sessions as comfortable as possible.
Can I do the treatment with other underlying health conditions?
You cannot undertake treatment if you are pregnant, or under the influence of alcohol or medication that alters your ability to experience pain and communicate effectively with your practitioner.
If you have had a recent steroid injection in the area you want to use shockwave on, you need to inform us, as we will need to wait a full 12 weeks before we start.
We can undertake the consultation stage at any time, just not the actual Shockwave treatment.
We also cannot treat you if you have a pacemaker or other metal/plastic implants around the area to be treated. We can treat other areas of the body just not the area with the implant. We also do not treat the head, eyes, lungs and over the heart.
When will I notice any difference after Shockwave Therapy?
Treatments can give you a local analgesia effect straight after the treatment and can last for a few hours, following this you may notice an increase in pain in the area, which is the normal post treatment reaction.
This could last for about 48 hours before you feel benefit again. The effects of treatment and the process of healing can be noticed and occur for a month after treatment.
Why is Focus Shockwave more expensive than Radial Shockwave?
Focused shockwave therapy is more expensive than radial shockwave therapy primarily due to the advanced technology and specialised design of the equipment. Focused shockwave machines require more complex engineering and research and development, which translates to a higher cost for the machine and its operation.
To find out more we have written this article titled Why Focus Shockwave is more expensive than Radial.
Do you Use Focused Shockwave in combination with Radial Shockwave?
Yes, it is common to use both focused and radial shockwave therapy in combination. This approach allows clinicians to target superficial and deeper tissues effectively, addressing a wider range of conditions.
Radial shockwave therapy can be used for shallower, wider areas, while focused shockwave therapy is better for pinpointing deeper issues.
Here’s why combining them can be beneficial:
Targeting Different Depths:
Radial waves are less intense but have a wider reach, making them suitable for superficial issues. Focused waves, on the other hand, can penetrate deeper and have a more pinpoint targeted area.
Addressing a Variety of Conditions:
The combined approach allows for a more comprehensive treatment plan, addressing both superficial and deeper tissue problems.
Tailoring Treatment:
By utilising both types of shockwave, clinicians can tailor the treatment to the specific needs of the patient and the condition they are treating.
In summary, combining focused and radial shockwave therapy is a viable and often preferred approach, allowing for a more comprehensive and targeted treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions.
What are the Benefits Of
Shockwave Therapy over Other Treatments?
At The Totalcare Clinic, Shockwave treatment is undertaken by The Clinical Directors Michelle McWilliam and Ian Stuart following a full consultation.
Depending on your suitability for treatment and your presentation, the number of shockwave therapy sessions required for improvement varies based on several factors; the condition being treated and severity of the injury, the patient’s age and overall health, and the presence of any underlying conditions.
On average, patients may need 4 to 6 sessions. Some patients may see improvements after 1 or 2 sessions, while the majority may see benefits after 4 to 6 weeks of the initial treatment, with full effect taking around 12 weeks. View our Shockwave Therapy fees
The treatments sessions take between 20-30 minutes and a full rehabilitation program will be prescribed alongside your treatment.
- Fast recovery
- Fewer potential complications
- No anaesthesia
- Non invasive
- No medication
- Fast treatment: 20 minutes per session
- Significant clinical benefit: often seen 6 to 8 weeks after treatment
Shockwave Therapy Fees
Clinical Director Fees
£75 Initial Consultation with NO Treatment – (45-60 minutes)
£110 Initial Consultation with Treatment – (45-60 minutes)
(Treatment in Consultation is Dependent on Practitioner’s Discretion)
£75 Follow-up Radial Treatments – (20- 30 minutes)
£90 Follow-up Focus Treatments – (20- 30 minutes)
Consultations and treatments by appointment only
Payment
Payments are made at the end of each treatment session or consultation. We accept cash, cheque, debit or credit card.
Our Secure iZettle Reader takes chip, swipe and contactless payments from all major credit cards, as well as payments through Samsung Pay, Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Insurance
Some insurance companies will authorise Shockwave treatment, but it must be pre-authorised with the insurance company before treatment commences.