A lot of people think that ESWT is a relatively new treatment modality. It is not. Dyfri Owen has been using ESWT for chronic tendoinopathies since 2001. At PPPphysio we use a Gymna-Uniphy Shockmaster 500 which is one of the best and most powerful machines available.
At PPPphysio we will ensure 3 things:
1: One of the best ESWT machines available. Some practices use cheaper, less powerful machines.
2: An experienced Physiotherapist, experienced in treating using ESWT.
3: We will only provide ESWT on injuries which require ESWT. Some clinics use it for all sorts of things for which it is not appropriate or efficacious.
How ESWT works:
Extracorporeal Shockwaves are pressure waves which are generated acoustically. Our Shockmaster 500 produces Radial shockwaves as compressed air accelerates a bullet in a barrel which hits an end plate. These shockwaves travel without influence through the soft tissues of the body but they exert their influence and discharge their energy where they encounter a change in acoustic impudence or a change in structure.
We use radial shockwaves in 3 ways:
1: Destruction of tissue such as scar tissue, calcification & neovasularisation such as that found in a tendinopathy.
2: Promote healing by influencing fibroblasts, influencing inflammation, increasing growth factors and changing blood flow.
3: Reduce pain by reducing nociceptors, Substance P & Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP).
Common uses of ESWT:
1: Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy
2: Plantar fasciitis
3: Patella Tendinopathy
4: Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
5: Greater Trochanteric bursitis / Gluteal Tendinopath
6: Hamstring Tendinopathy
Prices:
| Individual Session | Block of Sessions | |
| PPPphysio Ltd | £90 | 4 @ £70 = £280 |
Most Health Insurance Policies will cover ESWT and approximately 4 sessions are often required.
