Shockwave Therapy utilizes sound waves to heal injured tissues. This therapy is a highly effective and non-invasive treatment for a number of chronic over-use tissue injuries. Learn more about this treatment, how it works and whether this therapy is right for you.

2. Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment, which
utilizes high-energy acoustic waves to deliver
strong mechanical impulses to the injured tissue.
Shockwave technology was originally applied in
medicine to destroy kidney stones but has now
been shown to also aid in the healing of
musculoskeletal issues. Inside of the “gun”
mechanism, kinetic energy of a small projectile is
created via compressed air. The kinetic energy
from the projectile is transferred to the
“transmitter” at the end of the gun and
subsequently into the tissue.

3. The kinetic energy transfer into the tissues
results in a high-amplitude jump in pressure of
that tissue. During a single session, a patient
may receive 1500-2000 of these shocks to the
injured area. Shockwave therapy has been to be
a safe and highly effective, non-invasive
treatment in the management of a number of
acute or chronic over-use tissue injuries.
Shockwave treatments have been shown to
induce tissue regeneration, long-term healing
and the repair of pathogenic tissues1,2.

4. The high-energy impact of the Shockwave can
actually accelerate tissue repair and cell growth
of tendons, bones and muscles. Following
treatments of Shockwave therapy, treated
tissues experience long-term tissue
regeneration as well as an immediate decrease
of inflammatory in the treated tissue2. This
inflammatory response is achieved by the
production of an enzyme called nitric oxide
synthase, which leads to an increase in nitric
oxide in the tissue.

5. An increase of nitric oxide essentially inhibits
the production of inflammatory cells including
mast cells in the injured area2. The shockwaves
themselves also can create micro-ruptures in
tendons and muscles, which leads to the
release of growth factors. These growth factors
allow for a process of remodelling, which can
grow existing blood vessels and form new
ones2. This results in increased blood flow to
the tissue and long-term tissue regeneration.

6. In a nutshell, the increased pressure in tissue
caused by the shockwaves, initiate the
production of enzymes, which have anti-
inflammatory properties. The impact of the
Shockwave also stimulates the release of
growth factors, which lead to increased blood
flow, and long-term healing.

7. Shockwave therapy, through rigorous scientific
studies, has been shown to be a valuable
supplemental treatment of many
musculoskeletal injuries/pathologies.
Some of the conditions Shockwave therapy has
been shown to resolve include:

8. • Plantar Fasciitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Golfers Elbow
• Calcifying Tendonitis of Shoulder (Frozen
Shoulder)
• Jumpers Knee
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Bursitis

9. You can visit:
Integral Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic Website.
https://integralphysio.com/services/shockwave-
therapy/