Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
Bodyworks is now offering Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) as a treatment option for some musculoskeletal conditions where other treatments have not been effective enough.
ESWT has been available for some years now, and there is increasing evidence that it can be effective in chronic conditions of the achilles tendons, plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow (see “indications” below).
A special unit is used to generate low-energy sound waves which stimulate the body to heal itself.
Patients will usually require a course of three to five treatments, a week apart.
I had a machine on loan for trial a few years ago and was very impressed with the results that I observed.
Having considered various manufacturers, it is evident that not all machines are equal. I have decided to purchase a Storz Medical Masterpuls machine. It has been used in many of the published research projects and therefore gives me some confidence that I am delivering the best treatment to my clients.
Treatment is charged at £90 per session and improvements may take three months after treatment to become evident. This is because the aim of the therapy is to kickstart the body back into healing mode again.
I’m an active walker, and used to suffer badly from Morton’s Neuroma; often the pain was so extreme I would have to stop there and then and pull my boots off.
After a course of ESWT treatment with Claire, I can genuinely say it has changed my life. I’d had Cortisone injections (which did not help much), but the ESWT treatment made a real difference, and now I am able to walk with virtually no pain at all. Where previously I was contemplating surgery, now I am able to walk wherever and whenever I choose.
The ESWT treatment is not unpleasant, quite quick and has been extremely effective.
Indications
There is an emerging body of evidence to support the use of ESWT in the management of chronic achilles tendonopathy, refractory plantar fasciitis and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). It has also been used in cases of gluteus medius tendonopathy, trochanteric bursitis, calcific tendonitis of the shoulder and to promote the healing of bony stress injuries.
ESWT is offered to patients who have not responded well enough to other treatments such as physiotherapy, orthotics, rest, steroid injection, ice therapy and pain relief. It is used for chronic conditions when healing has stalled, as its mechanism is to produce microtrauma to stimulate the body’s natural healing responses.
NICE have confirmed the safety of using ESWT for musculoskeletal conditions.
