Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a recently developed treatment for tendinopathy and tendonitis. ESWT can also be used to treat golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. The therapy involves applying a series of low-energy shock waves directly to the area where the tendon is painful.

Our professional healthcare experts use ESWT at Gilmour Piper in Ipswich to treat painful tendons and the following conditions:

  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Plantar fasciopathy
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Tennis elbow
  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy (including calcification)
  • Patellar tendinopathy
  • Hamstring tendinopathy
  • Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

How does ESWT work?

ESWT involves the use of a hand-held medical device to pass shockwaves through the skin to the injured part of the body. As the shockwaves enter the body, they initiate an inflammatory-like response in the injured tissue under treatment. This prompts increased blood circulation, stimulating the body’s natural healing process and breaking down calcium deposits in the tendons.

ESWT appears to be able to jump-start the healing process in chronic injuries and move them back into the acute phase of healing.

A course of ESWT usually requires 4-6 sessions, and normally includes advice on retraining weak muscles related to the injury. You should take it easy for 2-3 days following each treatment before then returning to your day-to-day activities. Your therapist will let you know when it’s safe to return to sporting activities.

Because a course of ESWT treatment triggers your body’s healing response, it’s not uncommon for you to feel your pain’s getting a little worse before it starts feeling better. It can take 3-4 months for you to feel the full benefit of the treatment.

Gilmour Piper offers this state of the art treatment technique at very competitive rates.

I have found Joe to be remarkably helpful and professional at all times. So much so that I recommended him to my mother who has also benefitted hugely from his treatment. Recently he has treated my hip with shockwave therapy and I have been amazed at the results. I feel so much better after just a couple of session. I will continue to recommend Joe to anyone in pain.

Jo Wiltshire

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