Understanding Radial Shockwave Treatment
Radial shockwave treatment is a non-invasive therapy used to treat a wide range of chronic musculoskeletal conditions. It works by delivering high-frequency acoustic waves to targeted areas of the body, stimulating blood flow, breaking down scar tissue and calcifications, and triggering the body’s natural healing response.
At Advantage Physiotherapy, radial shockwave treatment is used to help patients overcome persistent pain and improve their function, particularly when traditional treatments have offered limited success.
Radial Shockwave Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons patients seek help for foot and heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This condition can be stubborn and resistant to standard treatments such as rest, stretching, or orthotics.
Radial shockwave therapy is particularly effective in cases where heel pain has persisted for several months. The shockwaves help reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue repair, and promote long-term relief. Patients often report improved mobility and comfort after just a few sessions.
Using Radial Shockwave Treatment for Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, medically referred to as lateral epicondylitis, is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons, often due to repetitive tasks. While the name suggests it is limited to athletes, this condition frequently affects office workers, tradespeople, and anyone with repetitive arm movement.
Radial shockwave treatment helps to alleviate the pain by targeting the affected tendons with acoustic waves that encourage tissue regeneration and reduce localised inflammation. Many patients experience a notable decrease in pain and improvement in grip strength following a course of treatment.
Radial Shockwave for Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles’ tendinopathy causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the Achilles tendon, particularly after periods of rest or intense physical activity. It can be a significant barrier to walking, exercising, or playing sport, and often becomes chronic if not treated appropriately.
Radial shockwave therapy improves blood flow to the tendon and promotes healing at a cellular level. It also helps to reduce the build-up of scar tissue that can restrict tendon flexibility.
At Advantage Physiotherapy, it is part of a wider treatment plan that includes exercise rehabilitation to restore full function.
Treating Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis with Radial Shockwave Treatment
Calcific shoulder tendinitis occurs when calcium deposits form in the rotator cuff tendons, leading to pain and restricted movement. The pain can be severe, especially when lifting the arm or sleeping on the affected side.
Radial shockwave therapy helps by breaking down these calcium deposits, which the body can then naturally reabsorb. The treatment also reduces surrounding inflammation and supports improved shoulder mobility.
For patients with chronic shoulder pain that has not responded to rest or manual therapy, radial shockwave treatment offers a viable and effective solution.
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and Radial Shockwave Treatment
Pain around the outer hip, often diagnosed as greater trochanteric pain syndrome, is another condition that responds well to radial shockwave treatment. It often affects runners or those with underlying biomechanical issues, and symptoms can worsen when lying on the affected side or climbing stairs.
The acoustic waves used in radial shockwave treatment target the irritated tendons and bursa around the hip, encouraging healing and reducing inflammation. This therapy is often combined with strengthening exercises and gait retraining to address the root cause and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Patellar Tendinopathy and Radial Shockwave Treatment
Patellar tendinopathy, or jumper’s knee, is a common condition in active individuals, particularly those who play sports involving jumping or rapid changes in direction. It results in pain at the front of the knee, just below the kneecap.
Radial shockwave therapy stimulates tissue repair in the patellar tendon, improves collagen production and reduces chronic inflammation. It is particularly useful for long-term cases that have not responded to traditional treatments such as rest or physiotherapy alone.
Other Articles That May Interest You:
A Patient’s guide to Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
Understanding Tendon Pain: Causes and Effective Treatments
Powerful Healing with Shockwave Therapy: How It Can Help You Recover Faster
What to Expect During Radial Shockwave Treatment?
At Advantage Physiotherapy, every course of radial shockwave treatment begins with a full clinical assessment to confirm that the therapy is suitable for your condition.
During treatment, a handheld device is used to deliver acoustic waves to the target area. Most sessions last between 10 and 15 minutes and may be repeated weekly for three to six weeks, depending on the severity of symptoms.
You may experience mild discomfort during treatment, but this typically settles quickly. Many patients report improvement within a few sessions, with further progress continuing over several weeks as the healing process takes place.
Is Radial Shockwave Treatment Right for You?
Radial shockwave therapy is ideal for individuals suffering from chronic tendon-related pain that has not responded well to rest, stretching, or manual therapies. It is non-invasive, requires no medication, and has minimal side effects.
However, this therapy is not suitable for everyone. It is not recommended during pregnancy, or for those with certain medical conditions such as clotting disorders or acute infections.
Your physiotherapist at Advantage Physiotherapy will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if radial shockwave treatment is appropriate for you.
Book an Appointment to Explore Radial Shockwave Treatment
If you are experiencing persistent pain in your foot, elbow, knee, shoulder or hip, radial shockwave therapy may be the solution you have been looking for.
At Advantage Physiotherapy, our experienced team will guide you through the process and build a personalised plan to support your recovery.
Get in touch today to book your consultation and discover how radial shockwave therapy can help you return to movement, free from pain.