I was asked to treat a 70-year-old patient suffering from a chronic tendinopathy. While benefits can be discovered by pushing the boundaries, there should always be a safety first approach and for most of the general population, the contraindications are in place to protect people. Shockwave has a very safe track record because practitioners adhere to the constraints and guidelines.

When presenting for one of the industry’s leading bodies I’m often asked the example ‘is Shockwave suitable in the ankle of a pregnant patient?’ The thought being that the local nature of the treatment shouldn’t affect other areas, however in this case, the advice should always be no based on the risk vs reward. As the risks associated with this are few, people may be tempted to investigate this treatment earlier and some practitioners may agree, however other guidelines have more risks associated with them. There is an increasing amount of anecdotal evidence from practitioners across Europe and among professional sports teams, that the current recommendation where a condition isn’t treated until it’s been present for at least 6 months can be reduced. We know from experience there are certain treatments, conditions and individual histories that are likely respond better or worse to Shockwave, however in every assessment we look at the safety first. This list is of course not exhaustive, and an assessment by a practitioner is always necessary. If you are Under 18 (except in the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease)Īny treatment over an air-filled area such as the lungs or guts is also not possible.If you have an infection or skin abrasion at the treatment site.If tumours are present at the treatment site.If you have received a Steroid injection within 6 weeks.If you have a blood clotting disorder (including thrombosis).Shockwave is unsuitable in the following circumstances: To find out more about PiezoWave therapy in Portland or to schedule an appointment, give our office a call at 50.While Shockwave is suitable for a large number of conditions both evidenced and experimental with minimal side effects, there are some conditions, also known as contraindications that means Shockwave is not an option. When compared to other types of shockwave therapy, ESWT has been found to be: At the end of treatment (about 10-15 mins) the gel will be removed and you will be able to continue on with your day.īridgetown Physical Therapy is the only physical therapy clinic in Portland offering Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. Next, the probe from the machine will be placed against your skin over the injured area and the waves will be delivered, per your individualized prescription set by your PT. A gel will be applied to the treatment area to help transmit the waves to the injured tissue. Once cleared for treatment, your therapist will pinpoint areas of pain to be treated. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history to determine if PiezoWave therapy is appropriate for you. What to Expect During PiezoWave Physio Therapy? Common Conditions Treated with PiezoWave:

Basically, ESWT helps to promote tissue regeneration by triggering the body’s natural healing process. Once at the injured site, these waves help to decrease inflammation and regenerate healthy tissue by increasing blood flow and increasing collagen production. How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?ĮSWT delivers pressure waves below the skin until it reaches injured tissue. It is a non-invasive and FDA-approved treatment used for a variety of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries. PiezoWave is a brand name for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (or ESWT). PiezoWave/Shockwave Therapy in Portland, OregonĪre you dealing with a nagging injury that hasn’t responded to traditional therapeutic treatment methods? PiezoWave therapy could be the answer.

Piezowave shockwave therapy