Radial shockwave — for tendinopathies that have plateaued on manual therapy.

Many patients suffering from chronic pain symptoms have tried various types of treatments with no success. Up to 80 percent of said patients worldwide reported successful treatment of the problem using shockwave therapy or shockwave combined with other therapies when indicated.

You might experience a very minimal feeling of discomfort or prickling sensation during the treatment, depending on the level of pain you are already experiencing in the affected area. Fortunately, since the treatment will only last around 4-8 minutes per session, the slight feeling of discomfort is often tolerable by most patients.

The number of treatment will vary depending on the tissue response and indication. Since the treatment’s effect is cumulative, most patients will start to notice benefits of shockwave within a few sessions. In many cases, patients have reported already experiencing some relief after the just their first treatment.

Most indications may require anywhere from around 4-10 sessions, which would normally be done from 3 to 7 days apart. However, the frequency and intervals will still vary depending on your condition, tissue response and tolerance.

Most patients report immediate relief from pain following the treatment. However, within a few hours after the procedure until the day after, you might experience some soreness in the treated area. Fortunately, many report the soreness as non-limiting and tolerable. We also advise patients new to shockwave therapy to apply a cold compress to the treated area on days of treatment to reduce inflammation and soreness which may result.

It is recommended that you refrain from any physical activity that can stress the treated region the first 48 hours after the treatment session. As patients improve, restrictions on activities may be lifted or modified as necessary.

In the late 1960s, German researchers began to study how shockwaves impacted the human body. They discovered that shockwaves impacted the body in lots of different ways. After discovering that they could help break up kidney stones to make them easy to pass, shockwave therapy was mainly used for this purpose.

In the 1990s, the effects of high-energy shockwave therapy on soft tissue injuries were studied. Both low-energy and high-energy shockwave treatments were found to be effective. This has led to it being used to treat chronic injury and pain today.

Shockwave therapy in Singapore is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged soft tissues and musculoskeletal conditions. The shockwaves increase the metabolism and blood flow, accelerating the body’s natural healing process.

It can also break down calcium deposits. Some conditions effectively treated by extracorporeal shockwave therapy include plantar fasciitis and chronic tendon disorders.

The treatment is applied using a handheld device which applies a mechanical, not electrical, shockwave to the affected area through the skin. The ESWT machine has a number of interchangeable heads that direct stimulation over a precise or wider area.

The machine uses compressed air to accelerate a projectile up to 62mph within a tube. The projectile hits the head of the applicator, converting energy into acoustic pressure waves. These waves can penetrate up to 6cm, depending on which head is used on the handheld applicator. This can penetrate tissue deeper than a massage.

These soundwaves kick-start an inflammatory response as part of the body’s healing mechanisms. It also increases blood flow to the injured tissues. The therapy can also reduce pain sensitivity by overstimulating the nerves and can break down calcium deposits in tendons.

Research shows that shockwave therapy delivers mechanical force to body tissue, stimulating the metabolism and blood flow to produce healing. This is beneficial to tendons as they typically don’t get much blood supply and heal slowly. The shockwaves promote regrowth and healing of bone and tissue. This can provide a non-surgical treatment option for many chronic conditions and may help some patients avoid invasive procedures. It can also help clients avoid repeated steroid injections which can lead to breakdown of tissue over time.

When it comes to fractures, by using targeted shockwaves inside the bone this can create cavities in which a hematoma can form. A hematoma is a pool of blood similar to a bruise that occurs as part of the body’s natural healing mechanism.

By inducing a hematoma, you can help the body remove damaged bone cells and encourage healthy bone to grow and properly reconnect.

Shockwave therapy in Singapore can be effective treatment for a number of conditions. It is particularly useful for soft tissue injuries, tendon issues and bone and joint injuries.

Research suggests shockwave therapy may be beneficial for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Tennis elbow: (Lateral epicondylitis).
• Golfer’s elbow: (Medial epicondylitis).
• Jumper’s knee: (Patellar tendinopathy).
• Achilles tendinopathy.
• Hamstring tendinopathy.
• Shoulder tendinopathy.
• Heel spurs.
• Calcific tendonitis: (especially in the shoulder).
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: (lateral hip pain).
• Trochanteric bursitis: (hip pain).
• Facet joint inflammation.
• Plantar fasciitis: (heel and foot pain).
• Shin splints: (medial tibial stress syndrome).
• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome.
• Muscular trigger points.
• Chronic back and neck dysfunction.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.

The effectiveness of shockwave therapy can vary depending on the specific condition, its severity, and individual patient factors. During your consultation, we’ll assess whether shockwave therapy is appropriate for your particular situation.

Many clinics in Singapore now offer shockwave therapy, so what makes Elite Spine Centres different?

Integrated Approach: We don’t just offer shockwave therapy in isolation. Our chiropractors assess your overall biomechanics and movement patterns to understand why your injury developed and hasn’t healed. This means we can combine shockwave therapy with chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and lifestyle modifications for more comprehensive results.

Experienced Practitioners: Our therapists are trained in proper shockwave application techniques and understand how to adjust treatment intensity for maximum effectiveness and comfort.

Personalized Treatment Plans: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all protocols. Your shockwave therapy program is customized based on your specific condition, pain tolerance, and recovery goals.

Comprehensive Assessment: Before recommending shockwave therapy, we conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure it’s the right treatment for your condition. If it’s not, we’ll recommend alternatives that may be more effective.

Ongoing Support: Your treatment doesn’t end when the shockwave session is over. We provide rehabilitation exercises, lifestyle advice, and follow-up care to ensure lasting results.