Shockwave Therapy Ballarat
Cutting-edge technology that may reduce lower limb pain and speed up recovery.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
This treatment is non-invasive and simple to use. It involves moving a handheld probe over areas of the body that are experiencing pain. It may be used to address pain, as well as to potentially accelerate the recovery process, stimulate tissue regeneration, induce increased blood flow, and break down scar tissue.
Originally used for the treatment of kidney stones, over the years, shockwave therapy has found applications in podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and orthopedics.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy is conducted as part of a treatment plan by our qualified podiatrists. The plan will also include advice on potential ways to manage your condition, as well as rehabilitation in an effort to strengthen the area.
High-energy radial soundwaves are transmitted from a probe to the affected area via a conducting gel. Each treatment lasts around three to 10 minutes and sees 2000 to 3000 shockwaves pulsed into the area. It is generally not painful– many people describe it as feeling like a strong, rhythmic vibration.
Shockwave therapy can help by:
- Reducing pain by targeting specific areas within the underlying tissues.
- Resetting the chronic inflammation cycle, which pushes non-healing tissue into the reparative stage.
- Promoting the formation of new blood vessels.
- Stimulating collagen production, which may aid with repairing muscle, tendon, and soft tissue.
- Breaking down calcium build-ups in chronically injured tissues.
- Releasing trigger points in the muscle (a primary cause of pain and tightness).
What conditions may shockwave therapy address?
Shock wave therapy is generally best suited for chronic conditions (pain present for six weeks or longer) that affect tendons and muscles. It is often used to address:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tendon injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shin splints
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Heel spurs
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic heel pain
- Painful trigger points
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Osgood Schlatters Disease
Wondering whether radial shockwave therapy may provide pain relief for you?
Visit us at Ballarat Podiatrist today!
What are the potential benefits of shockwave therapy?
Shock wave therapy has become a popular way of addressing foot pain and related conditions for a variety of reasons:
- It’s non-invasive and doesn’t penetrate the skin.
- It doesn’t require anesthesia or strong medications.
- In some cases, it may eliminate the need for surgery.
- It only takes 10 to 20 minutes for each session.
- It only requires three to four sessions on average.
- It aims to stimulate the body’s ability to repair itself using its own natural processes.
Your shockwave therapy questions answered
Yes, it’s usually considered safe, especially when compared with alternatives like surgery. This is because it doesn’t break the skin, meaning there is little risk of infection, and it is both FDA and TGA-approved. Your podiatrist will always assess your suitability for shockwave therapy before recommending it as part of your treatment plan.
While most people will need three to four sessions on average, others may need more. The number of sessions needed will depend on the type of injury or condition, its location, and how long you’ve had it for. Sessions are timed about a week apart.
There may be some localised discomfort at the time of treatment (comparable to the pain felt when you push on a bruise) and some mild tenderness afterwards, but this should pass quickly. Many patients report pain relief from their condition in the first 12 hours.
You may experience some side effects after treatment, such as redness, swelling, pain, hematoma (bruising), or petechia. Most side effects will disappear within one to two days, whereas others may last up to 10 days. Speak with your practitioner if you are concerned.
This treatment is not recommended for people who are pregnant, have acute inflammation, have had corticosteroid injections in the last six weeks, are on high-dose anticoagulant therapy, have cancer, or are fitted with a pacemaker. Your practitioner will be able to advise alternative treatment options.
In most cases, yes– podiatrists may use a variety of treatments to address your foot health concerns if shockwave therapy isn’t for you. At Ballarat Podiatrist , we also offer manual therapy, custom orthotics, dry needling, nail surgery, and general foot care in an effort to help your feet stay healthy.
What sets Ballarat Podiatrist apart?
PATIENT-CENTRED CARE
Your care is our top priority. At Ballarat Podiatrist , we'll work closely with you to develop a tailored treatment plan you can trust to take your needs and preferences into account at every turn.
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TEAM
Whether you’re living with heel pain, poor blood circulation, or any other foot concern, our Ballarat Podiatrist team is fully trained to offer experienced care designed to get you back on your feet.
A LOCAL TOUCH
We pride ourselves on offering convenient, local support. With two clinics in the Ballarat area, we aim to ensure local residents receive the care they need for their foot health.
What to Expect in a Shockwave Therapy Session
If it has been determined that you may benefit from shock wave therapy, you will attend an appointment in our clinic. Your podiatrist will follow a similar routine with each session, beginning with a discussion about your current progress and how other treatments you’re using are going.
The actual shockwave process is as follows:
- Your podiatrist will use palpation (a physical examination using their hands) to locate the exact area to be addressed.
- They will apply ultrasound gel to the area, which may help transfer the acoustic waves smoothly and efficiently.
- They will place the head of the probe onto the area and push down lightly, before pressing start and beginning the treatment.
Want to give pain the boot?
Shockwave therapy may be able to help
If you’re struggling with an injury or condition that is leaving your lower limbs in pain, shock wave therapy might be just the answer you’ve been searching for. Our experienced podiatrists will be more than happy to discuss your specific condition and determine whether this treatment may be right for you.
