Radial Pressure Wave or Shockwave RPW in Brunswick Heads

Patients report immediate reduction of pain and improved ease of movement. The application of RPW radial pressure waves/ ‘shockwaves’ produces an immediate increase of local blood flow. Promoting collagen/ connective tissue repair & synthesis and reducing pain, resulting in increased range of motion.
This tissue healing process is sustained by RPW stimulating the formation of more new blood vessels in chronic tissue. Tissue that due to loss of normal blood and nerve supply has become degenerative and can cause chronic pain.

Radial Pressure Waves are produced by high-energy acoustic percussions. Soundwaves that carry high energy directly to symptomatic acute, chronic body tissue to stimulate our body’s tissue healing processes. RPW shockwaves are a physical soundwave “shock”, not an electric one.

Based on your diagnosis your Osteopath has recommended RPW therapy because your condition has been proven to benefit from RPW.
There is a large body of research supporting the use of RPW in treatment of many common musculoskeletal conditions. Your Osteopath can advise you on how to access this research.

Research has shown RPW therapy to be effective in the treatment of many common myofascial and tendinous conditions, including:
·     Plantar Fasciitis (heel spur)
·     Myofascial trigger points “knots”
·     Achilles Tendinopathy
·     Back pain
·     Elbow pain- Tennis elbow
·     Hip -Trochanteric pain syndrome
·     Knee pain- patellar tendinopathy
To view the research on these and other common conditions you can ask your Osteopath for directions.

A RPW therapy session involves the application of a therapeutic dose, a series of measured, controllable soundwaves to the body region e.g. leg region. Each dose takes about 3-5mins, allowing time for multiple sites and regions to be treated in each session.
An aqueous hypoallergenic gel is used to ensure the pressure waves reach the depth of the target tissue.
We also use a V-Actor vibrational therapy, a massage tool designed by Storz to be used in combination with RPW to release muscular tension related to your condition.
Some conditions require more RPW, depending on the severity and chronicity (how long the condition or injury has existed for).
Usually a course of RPW therapy sessions 3-5 are recommended to sustain the regenerative tissue healing process.

To get the best result RPW therapy is applied over a course of 3-5 weekly treatments sessions. Each week the regenerative tissue healing processes stimulated by RPW is sustained until the tissue is restored to normal health and function. This varies depending on the chronicity of the conditions

It is a short treatment (usually five to twenty minutes) that may be fairly uncomfortable. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may experience some discomfort during and after RPW. However, by adjusting the strength of RPW to a level you are comfortable with most patients are able to easily tolerate it.

There can be immediate pain and some discomfort may be experienced 2-4 hours after the treatment. In some cases it can last up to 48 hours and bruising and swelling may occur.

RPW stimulates the body’s natural process of self-healing, the inflammatory response. To support the ongoing healing processes we advise you do not use anti-inflammatory medications or ice. The pain normally resolves within 24 hours.

Even if it feels better, we recommend reduced activity for 48 hours after the treatment.

A successful treatment is considered as a patient having at least 75% reduction in pain within 3 months. Worldwide, success rates are around 80 to 90%.

While the short-term effects alone are exceptional, the long-term benefits of this treatment may take up to 3-4 months. If after this time there has not been any marked improvement, you should see your doctor for further treatment options.

Research and experience have confirmed that many common muscle-tendon, ligament- joint conditions benefit from this innovative therapy approach. When performed by qualified therapists research show that RPW therapy is a highly effective procedure to treat pain and musculoskeletal restrictions, with minimal risks or side effects.
Common side effects include:
• Reddening
• Swelling
• Pain
• Bruising
• Petechiae, red spots
The side effects commonly naturally resolve in 2 days,
The application of adequate gel reduces likelihood of these adverse reactions.

The intensity, force of RPW and Vibrational therapy are adjustable, many of the adverse reactions can be avoided by advising your Osteopath if it is too much for you.
Throughout the RPW therapy Practitioners are able to immediately adjust the frequency and force of the soundwaves to ensure that it is to tolerable while also ensuring adequate energy is delivered to stimulate the cellular healing process.
It is important that you continue to advise your Osteopath to make sure the level of pressure of right for you.
Please get in touch with us if you have any further questions.