Radial Pressure Wave (RPW) Shockwave therapy is an advanced  medical treatment that uses ultrasound technology to send high-energy acoustic and pressure waves into the site of your injury to stimulate your body’s natural healing.

Numerous studies worldwide have shown that RPW Shockwave Therapy is both an effective and safe means of eliminating chronic persistent pain while reducing the need for corticosteroid injections or surgery.

Shockwave therapy was originally used medically to break down gallbladder stones in the 1990’s. Since then, over 3 million procedures  have been completed and this led to it’s expanding use in remedying stubborn soft tissue and bone problems.

RPW Shockwave Therapy has been shown in studies to be  successful in chronic tendon problems such as  Tennis Elbow, Jumper’s Knee, Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis with success rates of 70-80%. It has been shown to be successful in treating delayed bone healing in 60-90% of cases. (ISMST)

New emerging studies has also seen shockwave therapy used in cases of frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis and low back pain caused by facet joing problems.

It works by accelerating healing in both bone and soft tissues. This has led to it’s specialised use as a powerful rehabilitation tool across elite professional sport, particularly in slow to heal tendon injuries and plantar fasciitis today.

We use the Chattanooga Intelect RPW device which is the most advanced machine internationally.

Reduces Pain

• RPW Shockwave Therapy blocks of the transmission of pain through the “Pain Gate Mechanism” thus having a soothing effect on the sensory nerves and relieving your pain.
• The acoustic wave also releases muscular tension, trigger points and knots to provide rapid pain relief.

Reduces Inflammation

• Chronic inflammation causes pain and reduced function. RPW Shockwave Therapy increases mast cell activity which help combat and reduce inflammation.

Reduces Calcification

• Calcification or excessive buildup of calcium in tendons can be very painful.
• The acoustic waves in RPW Shockwave break down the calcium buildup leading to pain relief and improved function.

Improves Blood Flow

• The acoustic waves in RPW Shockwave Therapy create microscopic tears in tissues, which, in turn, causes the body to create new blood vessels.
• This increases blood flow and oxygenation to the treatment area, promoting faster healing.

Stimulates Healing

• Collagen is vital in  bone and joint health as it is a key component in the structure of muscle, skin, & connective tissues.
• RPW Shockwave Therapy causes your body to increase collagen production, creating a strong support structure for new cells.

RPW Shockwave has been shown to be particularly effective in treatment of persistent tendon and bone problems where you have had delayed healing or pain for  3 months or more.

It is particularly successful in persistent:

• Achilles Tendinitis
• Jumper’s Knee
• Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
• Swimmer’s Shoulder
• Calcific Tendinopathy
• Plantar Fascitis & Heel Spurs
• Stress Fractures

It has also been successfully used to treat:

• Hamstring tendinopathy
• Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome
• Trochanteric insertional tendinopathy syndrome
• Piriformis syndrome
• Lower back and neck trigger point therapy
• Frozen shoulder
• Forearm /wrist and hand tendinopathy
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Osteoarthritis

• Acute Injuries
• Over the womb during pregnancy
• Malignancy in the treatment area
• Severe Coagulopathy- ie consult your Doctor if you are on anticoagulant or blood thinning medication.
• Within 6 weeks of Corticosteroid injection to the area

If you are not sure if RPW Shockwave Therapy is for you, please call us to speak to one of our clinicians. We’ll be happy to take any questions you may have.

• We often begin to see results in as little as 1 to 3 treatments.
• The International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment  recommends 5 treatments over a period of 5 weeks as part of a 12 week rehab program to ensure best results
• Maximum benefit occurs 12 weeks after treatment,  once maximal  collagen & protein synthesis has occurred.

• RPW shockwave therapy needs to be uncomfortable to give best results but should never be painful.
• As the treatment stimulates your body’s natural inflammatory response, you may experience temporary soreness, tenderness or swelling for a few days. This is quite normal & a common step in your pathway to recovery. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

RPW Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven to be effective in 70-80% of cases, as part of your rehabilitative program. If it does not work for you, you should discuss with your clinician the alternative options available to you.