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Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy - also known as Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) - is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged or injured tissue. The sound waves, or shockwaves, are focused on a specific area of the body, such as a tendon, muscle, or bone, to promote the growth of new blood vessels and the formation of new tissue. FSWT is generally considered a safe and effective treatment option with minimal side effects.
Focused shockwaves have a higher energy density and faster impulse compared to radial devices. Focused shockwaves can target deeper tissues more precisely, delivering all of its energy within the tissue. Local painful spots, chronic insertional tendinopathies, bone stress injuries and deep trigger points are therefore best treated with focused shockwaves.
The decision of whether to use Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) or Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) will depend on the specific condition being treated and the preferences of the healthcare provider and the patient.
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Benefits of Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) include:
- Short treatment time
- Deep tissues can be reached
- Non-invasive and minimal side effects
- Precise & targeted application
- Results in a few treatments
- Alternative to medication
Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy is indicated for the following applications:
- Tendinopathies e.g. plantar fasciitis, tennis/golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendinopathy
- Myofascial trigger points (TPs) – localised tender or painful area
- Frozen Shoulder and Calcifications
- Muscle hypertonia
- Wound healing
- Chronic back pain (cervical lumbar parts of vertebral column)
Achillodynia
Plantar fasciitis
Metatarsalgia
TPs: Plantar Foot Muscles
Tibial Stress Syndrome
TPs: Calf Muscle Shortening
Patellar tendinitis
TPs: Thigh Adductors
TPs: Shortened Thigh Muscles
Trochanteric Tendinopathy
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TPs: Lumbago
TPs: Dorsalgia
TPs: Cervical Syndrome
Calcific Tendinitis
TPs: Periarticular Shoulder Pain
Radial/Ulnar Epicondylitis
TPs: Forearm Muscles
FAQs:
1. What are focus shockwaves and how do they work?
Focused Extracorporeal Shockwaves (ESWT) are high energy acoustic waves. In Focused Shockwave Therapy, this wave is focused through a lens and transmitted into the body, up to a depth of about 12 cm.
In the body, the acoustic waves stimulate the cells and the body’s intrinsic healing mechanism and decrease pain.
2. Does treatment hurt?
Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissue. The treatment is generally well-tolerated, but some patients may experience mild discomfort during the procedure. The level of discomfort can vary depending on the location of the injury and the individual's pain tolerance.
The treatment is quite short in duration, and therefore most patients can tolerate the discomfort. Intensity can be adjusted throughout treatment to ensure there is minimal discomfort. Most patients will experience immediate pain relief following the session, however soreness in the treated area is normal within 2-4 hours of the treatment, with most patients reporting the soreness as tolerable and not limiting.
3. What are the side effects of shockwave therapy?
Minimal side effects can sometimes occur, including:
- Redness of the skin
- Possible bruising and some discomfort local to the treatment area
- Do not repeat treatment if side effects from a previous treatment have not diminished
NB. Speak to your therapist before taking any pain relief. These side effects usually abate after 5 to 10 days.
4. What are some contraindications to this treatment?
- Pregnancy
- Haemophilia or other coagulation disorders
- Acute inflammation
- Disturbed sensory and nervous function, eg. Diabetes
- Corticosteroid injections – wait minimum of 6 weeks after local injections
- Malignancy
- Prostheses and implants
- Treatment directly over lung tissue, large nerves and spinal cord
5. How does Shockwave Therapy work within the tissue?
Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) works by delivering high-energy sound waves to the affected area of the tissue. These sound waves are focused on a specific point, hence the name "focused" Shockwave Therapy. The sound waves cause a mechanical stress on the tissue, leading to an increase in blood flow, new blood vessel formation and the formation of a healing response.
The mechanical stress also causes the release of growth factors and other signaling molecules that promote tissue repair and regeneration.
The mechanical stress also causes the release of growth factors and other signaling molecules that promote tissue repair and regeneration.
6. Is Shockwave Therapy safe?
Shockwave Therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment. There are no reports of long-term effects or damage.
7. What happens during the session?
During Shockwave treatment, firstly the physiotherapist will find the area of pain by searching for the painful/’trigger’ points. Gel is applied to the skin which allows the shockwaves to the penetrate the tissue properly. The treatment itself is fast, however sessions also involve thorough assessment, and education into post treatment plans.