Focused Shockwave
Focused Shockwave Therapy: A Breakthrough in Musculoskeletal Treatment
What is Focused Shockwave Therapy?
Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) is an advanced non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to target and treat various musculoskeletal conditions. It is similar to the technology used in lithotripsy which is used to break down kidney stones. Unlike radial shockwave therapy, which disperses energy over a broad area, FSWT delivers precise, concentrated energy to specific tissues, providing deeper and more focused therapeutic effects. It delivers greater energy to the target tissue than radial shockwave therapy and is less painful.
How Does Focused Shockwave Therapy Work?
FSWT involves the generation of acoustic waves that penetrate tissues to reach a depth of up to 12 cm. These shockwaves increase blood circulation, stimulate cell regeneration, and promote the repair of damaged tissues. The focused energy also disrupts pain pathways, reducing chronic pain and inflammation.
Benefits of Focused Shockwave Therapy
- Pain Relief: FSWT effectively reduces pain in chronic conditions such as tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and chronic shoulder pain. The therapy interrupts pain signal transmission and encourages the release of endorphins, providing long-lasting relief.
- Tissue Regeneration: By stimulating collagen production and neovascularization (formation of new blood vessels), FSWT accelerates tissue repair and promotes healing of damaged or inflamed tissues.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike surgical interventions, FSWT is a non-invasive procedure, eliminating the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia. It requires no incisions, and patients can typically resume normal activities soon after treatment.
- Quick Treatment and Recovery: Each FSWT session lasts between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Most patients experience significant improvement after 3 to 6 sessions, with minimal downtime.
Conditions Treated by Focused Shockwave Therapy
- Plantar Fasciitis: FSWT is highly effective in treating plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration.
- Tendinopathies: Conditions like achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, and rotator cuff tendinitis respond well to FSWT, with reduced pain and improved function.
- Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis: FSWT can break down calcium deposits in the shoulder, relieving pain and restoring mobility.
- Epicondylitis: Also known as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. FSWT can help alleviate pain and inflammation in the elbow region.
- Hip Pain: Conditions like trochanteric bursitis and iliotibial band syndrome can be effectively treated with FSWT, reducing pain and improving mobility.
- Bone Healing: Stress fractures and boney non-union (fractures that fail to heal) can be be effectively treated by FSWT. It can also speed up the natural healing rate of bone.
Why Choose Focused Shockwave Therapy?
Focused Shockwave Therapy is a treatment option that offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive alternative to traditional therapies for musculoskeletal problems. With its ability to provide targeted pain relief and promote tissue healing, FSWT is an ideal choice for patients seeking a fast and efficient solution to chronic pain and mobility issues. It is often used when our clients find radial shockwave too uncomfortable.
Why Choose Us?
We are the shockwave specialists. We are the only clinic in Geelong offering both radial and focused shockwave therapy, having introduced radial shockwave to the clinic in 2017 and focused in 2023. We employ diagnostic ultrasound to find the target tissue depth, which will help in delivering the focused shockwave to where it needs to be for the best outcome. We will often combine focused with radial shockwave, which according to many experts provides you with the best shockwave treatment possible.
