Treating Heel Pain with Shockwave Therapy

Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT)

Radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) has revolutionized pain management in soft tissue pain, and is an emerging technology in aesthetic dermatology too. The procedure is non-invasive and performed in the clinic.

In pain management RSWT is usually applied weekly with minimum 2-3 treatment sessions. Approximately 80% of all patients report a substantial improvement of the clinical situation already after the second treatment session. According to the most recent studies, this is a positive sign for the prognosis of the treatment outcome. Therefore, it is possible to foresee the treatment outcome after only two treatment sessions, but not before (EMS publication 2011)

How does RSWT work ?

To put it simply, RSWT is like deep tissue massage but much more exaggerated. It’s an automated device which pulsates at a very high frequency, deep pressure, and repeatedly.

Benefits of RSWT:

  • Breaks down any stiff or scarred tissue
  • Increases flexibility and softness of the soft tissue
  • Promotes circulation
  • Promotes healing
  • No anaesthesia required
  • Non-invasive
  • No medication required
  • Fast results
  • High success rates
  • Improved quality of life
  • Short treatment time

Indications for RSWT:

  • Heel pain (Plantar fasciitis or heel spur syndrome)
  • Achilles pain
  • Muscle tightness and muscle knots such as the calfs.
  • Shin pain
  • Arch pain
  • Childrens knee pain (Osgood-Sclatter disease)
  • Struggling to get rid of your heel pain ? Then this is worth a try !

Contra-Indications (Not suitable for):

  • Treatment of pre-ruptured tendons
  • Treatment of pregnant women
  • Treatment of patients under the age of 18 (exception for children with Osgood-Sclatters disease)
  • Treatment of patients with blood-clotting disorder
  • Treatment of patients taking blood thinners
  • Treatment of tissue with local tumours or bacterial and/or viral infections
  • Treatment of patients treated with cortisone at the site of concern.

Many patients have had to travel afar to pursue Radial Shockwave Therapy Treatment (RSWT treatment), but now we made this treatment available to the Sutherland Shire community.