Sick and tired of heel pain? Tried everything to relieve it? Bruce* had too, until he hobbled into my clinic room. Bruce had been suffering with pain for over 8 months, complaining of start up pain that worsened with walking, and keeping him awake at night; he was struggling to be able to coach his son’s football team, and he’d had to stop his own running.
Fast forward 8 weeks and Bruce was a new man; no more night pain, no more start up pain, no more pain running up the sidelines of the football field. He’d even started a light return to running programme. Bruce had undergone radial pressure wave (RPW) Shockwave Therapy, a non-invasive treatment to help improve chronic (over three months) musculoskeletal conditions such as heel pain (plantar fasciitis), and Achilles tendinopathy.
It is a very successful treatment option specially when other conservative options have failed. The literature and clinical evidence report up to 80% of patients achieve a full resolution of their symptoms, or at least a significant improvement of pain and function.
Therapeutic Shockwaves were introduced as a medical treatment for eliminating kidney stones 20 years ago; one side effect discovered was accelerated tissue healing in the same area, as well as increased bone density (increased bone healing).
The Science:
RPW Shockwave Therapy uses compressed air to generate a radial pressure wave; this is mechanical energy that is converted into chemical energy for stimulation/regeneration of healthy tissue.
What it Means:
RPW Shockwave Therapy is designed to make chronic tissues acute again, to reset the bodies natural biological healing response. Along with triggering the bodies healing response, it can also alleviate pain, improve movement, improve circulation, reduce muscle tightness and painful trigger points (muscle knots). It’s as easy as one treatment per week, for 3-6 treatments.
If you, or someone you know is frustrated with pain, get in touch to see if RPW Shockwave Therapy could be right for you.
by Katie Vodanovich
Call us at Resonance: 0800 473776
*Bruce is not our patient’s real name.
References:
Chattanooga Intelect RPW User Manual, 2010.
Chattanooga Intelect RPW Clinical Guide, 2010.
DJO RPW Shockwave Therapy Scientific Studies Overview
