Shockwave Therapy

What is shockwave therapy?

Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy is a revolutionary treatment, with outstanding results.  The treatment transition’s tissues into a maximum remodelling and healing state.

Shockwave has the following effects on the body;

• Reduces or removes pain by reducing the production of substance P
• Improves blood flow and stimulates new blood vessel formation
• Increases in growth factors to accelerate healing
• Activates stem cells
• Stimulate cellular metabolism
• Breaks down calcifications
• Separates connective tissue clumps and breaks down scar tissue
• Breaks apart clumps of fat cells (cellulite)
• Stimulates acupuncture points            (1, 2, 3)

You may have heard of shockwave in the past.  Shockwave has been used for several decades to break apart kidney stones in hospitals.  Our unit is a smaller less intense version of that same technology.

How does shockwave therapy work?

A metal bullet is slammed up and down inside the shaft of the shockwave therapy gun, under a very precise level of pressure.  As the bullet hits the end of the gun, it impacts on a specific shaped piece of metal, which in turn, creates an acoustic wave.  This acoustic wave radiates outwards from the end of the gun, pushing through the bodies tissues several times per second.  Firstly, this results in a separation of connective tissue fibers.  Secondly, it increased blood flow to the area.  Thirdly, white blood cells and stem cell are activated, and finally, cellular regeneration is activated and healing takes place over the following days and weeks.

Multiple sessions are required to achieve the desired result, however most people see a change in 1-2 sessions.  We generally continue for an average of 4-8 sessions to clear all the irregular connective tissue.  The more scar tissue, fibrous connective tissue or bone spurs you have, the more treatments you will require.

Shockwave can also be used to stimulate acupuncture points similar to that of a needle to activate qi and generate healing. [2]

Does it hurt?

Sometimes at the start of a treatment it hurts, however, you will find it reduces in intensity as the session progresses.  The shockwave treatment is very fast, only 2-3 minutes, you can stop at any time. We then get you straight up using and testing the area. Patients often notice an immediate improvement in their condition especially when combined with acupuncture.  If the area being treated is tender when you come in, you could expect the level of pain you will experience to be similar to poking a bruise.

We only like to treat a maximum of two small areas or one medium sized area per session, this way the body can focus all its blood flow and healing potential on that smaller area and the results will be more prominent.

The practitioners will then follow this up with either infrared heat or cold laser on the affected area, as these have additional healing benefits.

Cellulite shockwave is different to musculoskeletal shockwave.  It takes longer and delivers a lot more shocks, however as it is over fatty areas, it is usually not painful and patients often say it feels like a massage.

What kind of conditions does shockwave therapy treat?

Musculoskeletal conditions, this includes:

• Tight or sore muscles
• Bone pain
• Joint pain or arthritis
• Bone spurs
• Old injuries or scar tissue
• Sport injuries and recovery

Smoothing the appearance of cellulite. [1]   Cellulite Shockwave Treatments  are performed by our registered nurse

Disclaimer – Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary from patient to patient based upon the circumstances of the patient’s specific situation.  A result is not promised and/or guaranteed  from the act of receiving a treatment

How much does shockwave therapy cost?

If you book an acupuncture session with one of our shockwave certified practitioners at Hamilton or Morningside office, everything is included at no extra fee, including shockwave.

If however, you want the less holistic approach with shockwave only, you may book shockwave only sessions.

Shockwave only sessions include:

• 10-20 minute consult for your initial shockwave booking and a 2-5 minute consult for follow up shockwave bookings
• Local stimulation of acupuncture points using the shockwave therapy unit
• Local shockwave therapy session
• 10 minutes of Infrared heat and/or herbal liniment as the practitioners sees fit

Initial shockwave only session are 45 minutes, follow up shock wave session are 25 minutes.

Shockwave is not suitable for everybody, as it is contraindicated for certain medical conditions.  During your initial consultation, the practitioner will screen you for medical conditions or medications that are contraindicated for this type of treatment.  If the practitioner deems you an unsuitable candidate, you will not be charged for the session and no shockwave treatment will take place.

Shockwave areas are divided in the buttocks, back of thighs, front of thighs, lower legs and upper arms.

Which practitioners should I book with?

Shockwave therapy requires advanced training and certification for medical practitioners to perform.

Shockwave is available at our Morningside Practice and Hamilton practices only with:

 

For Musculoskeletal conditions please book with :

 

Dr Peter Carrette  – Acupuncturist – Hamilton

Dr Elisa Jansen – Acupuncturist – Hamilton

Dr Tracey Beatty – Acupuncturist – Morningside

 

For Cellulite treatments please book with:

Dr Elisa Jansen –  Hamilton

 

Click here to Book online

 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686339/
2. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2007.0519?journalCode=acu&
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006899308003636