Shockwave therapy is a relatively new treatment option used for musculoskeletal conditions. This treatment was initially seen in hospitals for “breaking down” kidney stones that were too large to pass. Now the technology has been modified so that the high pressured acoustic shockwaves travel through the skin to stimulate blood flow to the injured area which speeds up our own healing processes within our body for tissue repair.
With just 3 to 4 ten minute treatments this non-invasive treatment using the Swiss Dolorclast Smart Machine™ delivers Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) to the affected area; this will trigger the healing process and in turn alleviate pain and regain quality of life.
We have had training in Australia and certified to use the Swiss Dolorclast Smart™ for treating a variety of tendonopathies e.g. tennis elbow, golfers elbow, frozen shoulder, jumpers knee, shin splints, Achilles tendon pain, hip pain and low back pain.
The Swiss Dolorclast Smart™ has FDA and TGA approval and is used widely in the UK, Europe, Asia and America and more recently, Australia
Each treatment is adapted to suit the individual to obtain mobility and eliminate pain and 
discomfort.
What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?
ESWT is an exciting non-invasive procedure that requires:
◦ no anaesthetic
◦ no medication
◦ no surgery
◦ non invasive
◦ fast treatment-10 minutes per session-3-4 sessions required
◦ fewer complications
◦ virtually painless after treatment
◦ quick recovery, quick results
How does ESWT work?
The sound waves promoted during the treatment, stimulate healing for many physical disorders including plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis and shoulder calcification, etc
The machine delivers high energy shockwaves via the skin which activates the body’s self healing processes where pain occurs. It also increases metabolic activity through improved blood circulation and the formation of new blood vessels, and also nurtures and accelerates the healing process through cell regeneration.
• A shockwave is generated in the hand piece
• The shockwave is delivered to the tissue via a compressed air impulse exerted by the hand piece.
• The shockwave radiates out, extending to the entire area where pain occurs
• Usually no more than 3-4 sessions are needed
• Per session : approximately 2500 impulses at 2.5 bars and 4000 impulses for trigger point treatment
• No anaesthetic is required
• No surgery or other therapy is required and treatment can usually start straight away.
RSWT activates the self healing processes where pain occurs. It also increases
metabolic activity through improved blood circulation and the formation of new blood vessels, and also nurtures and accelerates the healing process through cell regeneration.
Useful for the treatment of:
1. Tennis Elbow – Painful inflammation of the tendon attachment on the medial elbow.
2. Shoulder Tendinopathy Especially Calcific Tendinitis – Painful limitation of shoulder movement due to calcification.
3. Golfer’s Elbow – Painful inflammation of the tendon attachment on the lateral elbow.
4. Trochanteric Bursitis – Painful periostitis of the outer femur.
5. Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy) – Inflammation of the point of attachment of the patellar ligament.
6. Shin Splints – Inflammation of the tibial edge due to excessive strain.
7. Achilles Tendinopathy – Painful irritation of the Achilles tendon.
8. Plantar Fasciitis – Painful, mostly chronic inflammation of the plantar fascia.
The EMS Swiss made EMS Dolorclast Method RSWT device is the only RSWT (R for radial, a form of ESWT) device with an FDA study and now has a total of 30 published studies. It has also been TGA approved for 17 years and in use at select Sports Medicine practices in Australia for that long.
It is also the only IOC approved shockwave device and has been at all Olympics since Athens. All the history, science and studies are available on the Swiss Dolorclast Academy.
There are a number of less expensive devices on the market however we found the shockwave produced by the EMS Dolorclast to be the most effective and the only one with clinical evidence behind it.
At Port Hacking Osteopathy we only want to offer the best possible treatment outcomes and we feel there is no better shockwave treatment than that produced by the EMS Dolorclast device.
Contraindications and precautions.
Recent steroid injections, blood thinner medication, pacemakers, acute inflammation, malignant disease & pregnancy will make RSWT treatment inappropriate.
• Cortisone injections are not to be administered within the last 11 weeks prior to shockwave therapy
• Sometimes there may be some bruising and haemorrhaging tendancies and coagulation system disturbances. As such if you are on Warfrin or any other blood thinning modalities please notify your treating practitioner.
• If you have a cardiac pacemaker, shockwave therapy may interfere with this.
• Acute inflammation in the treatment area
• If you have been diagnosed with cancer or any malignant disease, the treatment would not be appropriate.
• If you are pregnant, the treatment should not be administered.
What is the mechanism of the treatment?
The radial shockwave treatment works to stimulate the C nerve fibres in the body. These nerves cause a pain sensation. This explains why there will be discomfort during and slightly after the treatment. When the C nerve fibres are stimulated, substance P is also stimulated. Substance P is a neuropeptide. The treatment works to over-stimulate the C nerve fibres so that less substance P is released.
Therefore, there will be less pain sensation after the course of treatments. The shockwave therapy also allows activation of repair to the injured area as well as increased blood flow.
Documented international results show an overall result rate of 77% of chronic conditions that have not been cured with other kinds of treatment. It is important to highlight that we would expect positive clinical outcomes following treatment however there is a chance that the treatment may not improve your symptoms. A review at 12 weeks is recommended following your final treatment. If at this stage your symptoms persist you will be advised of alternative treatments/surgery by your health practitioner.
Radial Shockwave Therapy is applied without medication, for example Cortisone injections. The treatment stimulates and effectively supports the body’s self healing mechanisms. It is usual to experience immediate pain relief following the treatment and hence improved movement. Reported side effects are minimal, however there may be some discomfort during treatment, skin reddening, possible bruising. If you are concerned please speak with your health practitioner.
Sometimes the treatment is a bit painful, but most people can stand these few intense minutes without medication. If you are in pain during the treatment please notify your health practitioner as there are some adjustments that can be made to reduce the discomfort, however having some pain during the treatment illustrates that shockwaves are having a positive effect.
You will normally experience a reduced level of pain or no pain at all immediately after the treatment, but a mild and diffused pain may occur a few hours later. This dull pain can last for a day or so.
Radial Shockwave Treatment initiates a pro-flammatory condition in the tissue that is being treated. If necessary you may use ordinary prescription-free pain killers. Do not use anti-inflammatory medication and do not use ice on the treated area as both will interfere with the body’s self healing abilities.
Even if you have no pain we strongly recommend that you refrain from intensive activities that stress the treated area for the next 48 hours after each treatment.
Even though the response to shockwave treatment normally is exceptionally good within a few weeks it may take several months before maximum effect is achieved. If after 3-4months you still do not experience a pronounced improvement, surgery for example may be an alternative depending on your particular clinical picture.
Yes – Steroid injections, blood thinners, pacemakers, acute inflammation, malignant disease & pregnancy.
• Cortisone injections are not to be administered within the last 11 weeks prior to shockwave therapy
• Sometimes there may be some bruising and haemorrhaging tendancies and coagulation system disturbances. As such if you are on Warfrin or any other blood thinning modalities please notify your health practitioner.
• If you have a cardiac pacemaker shockwave therapy may interfere with this
• Acute inflammation in the treatment area
• If you have been diagnosed with cancer or any malignant disease the treatment would not be appropriate in this case.
• If you are pregnant the treatment should not be administered.