Shockwave Therapy Swindon  

There has been extensive research that shows that ESWT is effective in the treatment of certain tendon pain conditions. This is further verified by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which has provided guidelines on the use of this therapy for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

This condition is characterised by pain in the thick band of connective tissues between the heel and mid-foot. It is common for injuries, overuse, or muscular abnormalities in this area to result in pain on the underside of the heel. Injuries to this area can occur in men and women of any age and can often become chronic. Primary treatments can include rest, physiotherapy, applying ice packs, stretching, and the use of anti-inflammatory medications. ESWT for refractory plantar fasciitis is an alternative treatment that allows for acoustic soundwaves to be passed through the skin into the affected tissues. It can help to relieve some of the pain by desensitising irritated nerves. It can also promote healing through micro-trauma.

As the name suggests, tennis elbow is a pain condition that commonly afflicts those that play racket sports. It can however also occur in people that play other hand-related sports or occupations that involve heavy lifting. It occurs when there is repetitive or overuse of the forearm muscles leading to injury and pain on the outside corner of the elbow. It is often treated using steroid injections, physiotherapy, sports taping, and activity modification. ESWT for refractory tennis elbow can help to relieve pain by desensitising the nerves and causing micro-trauma that will promote healing. 

Achilles tendinopathy affects the band of tissue that runs down the back of the lower leg into the heel. Symptoms include pain, swelling and stiffness that can make it difficult to walk comfortably. It may be caused by an injury or repeated actions that gradually damage the tissues. It is common for this injury to fail to heal properly and lead to chronic pain. Several sessions of ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy can prove effective in reducing the pain of this condition and promoting a healing response by inducing micro-trauma to the tissues. 

GTPS is caused by inflammation of the structures around the outside of the hip. It is characterised by hip pain that may be linked to the tendons in the area and the trochanteric bursa that supports smooth motion. The pain tends to originate in the hip area and may radiate down into the leg or toward the buttock area. It can be experienced at any time, including when lying down or walking on stairs. It is not known for sure what causes GTPS, but it can sometimes be linked to an injury to the afflicted body part and tends to be more common in women 40-60 years in age. ESWT for GTPS can help in reducing pain and stimulating the body’s healing response. 

Cellulite, or gynoid lipodystrophy, can be found in 85% of post-adolescent women. Changes within skin cells, the collagen structure of the dermis, result in an orange peel-like appearance. Cellulite particularly affects the thighs, buttocks and upper arms. This can be more pronounced when sitting or lying down. Multiple studies have shown that a course of regular treatment using ESWT is safe and effective in improving the visual appearance of cellulite.

Kube Medical’s sports therapy and physiotherapy clinic offers cutting edge treatments that now include ESWT. Kube Medical's device is a radial shockwave device. There is a growing body of evidence that ESWT is effective in treating musculoskeletal injuries, foot conditions, post-operative recovery, lymphedema, and even cellulite.