Shockwave therapy utilizes high-energy sound waves to promote healing of injured tissues and provide relief from chronic pain. Choosing this innovative treatment in combination with physiotherapy may help you avoid more invasive and expensive medical procedures down the road.

Shockwave therapy isnt a new healing technology – it’s is currently used by the following leading health institutions and hospitals (and tens of thousands more institutions around the world)

What is shockwave therapy and how does it work?

Shockwaves are a form of energy that has biological effects described at the cellular, tissue, and organ level. ESWT is currently delivered through two primary forms: focused shockwave therapy (F‐SWT or also known as ESWT) and radial shockwave therapy (R‐SWT).

Shockwave Therapy represents the latest frontier in non-invasive medical treatments for individuals suffering from stubborn orthopedic conditions, persistent pain, or injuries requiring accelerated healing.

This innovative modality evolved from its initial use in the 1980s as a surgical alternative for treating kidney stones to use at the 1996 Olympic Games and now in its present form with increased precision and a more compact machine form.

The mechanism behind shockwave therapy involves precisely delivering high-energy acoustic pulses, similar to the percussive force of a volcano eruption or a supersonic jet breaking the sound barrier.

These focused sound waves are applied directly to the injured area, triggering a controlled micro-trauma that stimulates the body’s innate healing processes with only minor transient discomfort – far less than a routine dental procedure.

At its core, shockwave therapy capitalizes on the fundamental role of circulation in maintaining a healthy physiological state. By causing localized microvascular damage, it prompts the body to initiate revascularization (angiogenesis) and regenerate nerve fibers (neurogenesis) in the affected region.

Additionally, shockwaves help disrupt existing scar tissue adhesions, dissolve calcific deposits, and activate stem cell recruitment – creating an optimal biochemical environment to facilitate tissue repair and remodeling of damaged ligaments, tendons, and bones.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is shockwave? As above.
   
2. What can shockwave treat?
   
   Shockwave Therapy, in conjunction with an appropriately prescribed exercise program by your health professional, has been shown to help with the following conditions:
   
   • Feet: Plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, nerve impingement or ligament injury
     Ankle: Chronic ankle pain, whether from osteoarthritis or ligamentous instability; a ligamentous defect in the ankle; gastrocnemius muscle strain or injury
   • Lower leg: Achilles tendonitis; gastrocnemius muscle strain or injury; retrocalcaneal bursitis (heel pain)
   • Knee: IT band; insertional pain; strain to the medial or lateral collateral (ligaments that form either side of the knee); jumper’s knee; patella tendinopathy
   • Upper leg: quad injury or hamstring strain or injury
   • Hand: strains and injuries
   • Elbow: Little leaguer’s elbow; tennis elbow; tricep or bicep elbow injuries
   • Hip: Gluteal muscle strain; bursitis; iliopsoas bursitis; hip flexor tendinosis
   • Shoulder: Calcinosis of the rotator cuff; partial tear of the rotator cuff; bicep injuries
     
3. Can shockwave heal my pains or injuries totally?
   
   Shockwave therapy has an excellent track record for providing significant pain relief and improving functional ability for many patients. While every individual case is different, studies show that 80-90% of patients (depending on the condition being treated) respond favorably to shockwave treatment alone, experiencing a significant reduction in pain/symptoms.
   
   For many, Shockwave may completely resolve their condition. For others, it will substantially improve it, making symptoms much more manageable and allowing them to do more activities they previously could not. A comprehensive approach combining shockwave therapy, appropriate exercise/rehabilitation, and other adjunct treatments when necessary gives you the highest likelihood of achieving optimal results.
   
   While there is no way to predict each individual response to treatment , the potential for Shockwave to facilitate true healing of your body’s tissues is very positive, especially for those struggling with chronic, stubborn conditions that have not responded well to other conservative treatments or those on a short timeline needing to “get back in the game” quickly. Working closely with your provider, exploring shockwave therapy could finally allow you to make meaningful progress toward overcoming your musculoskeletal issues.
   
4. What does shockwave therapy feels like?
   
   During shockwave therapy, patients can expect to feel a series of rapid pulses along with a mild warming sensation in the treatment area. While some discomfort is typical and necessary to stimulate a response, our goal is to keep it at a manageable level.
   
   “I advise patients that we aim for the discomfort to stay below a 5 or 6 on a scale of 10,” states James. “I prefer to call it ‘discomfort’ rather than outright pain. More pronounced sensations sometimes occur when administering shockwaves near bony regions but the intensity is always adjustable to the patient’s tolerance.”
   
   In some cases, a small amount of swelling and redness may develop temporarily after the session. James explains, “As we deliver energy into the tissues, increased blood flow results – which can lead to minor bruising in some cases. However, we can easily adjust the machine’s intensity if the discomfort level starts to exceed that 5 or 6 out of 10 threshold, bringing it back down to a more comfortable range.”
   
   The key is maintaining an open dialogue during treatment to ensure an experience that is tolerable while still providing a therapeutic stimulus. Patient feedback allows for real-time adjustments to optimize results while prioritizing comfort.
   
5. Who is not suitable for shockwave therapy (contraindications and at-risk individuals) are patients who have the following contraindications:
   
   • Coagulation disorders, thrombosis or occlusive vascular disease
   • Use of anticoagulants: Warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, etc.)
   • Tumor disease: carcinoma, cancer patients under treatment
   • Pregnancy
   • Polyneuropathy, in the case of diabetes mellitus
   • Acute inflammation associated with an infection
   • Children with open-growth plates

Book A Shockwave Therapy Session

First session / Follow Up Consultation + Treatment + Shockwave Treatment (45 minutes) $260

We will thoroughly assess your condition and discuss all potential treatment options (first session and throughout follow up, as we need to track improvements or if there’s new injuries). If you are a suitable candidate for Shockwave therapy, and you wish to proceed, we can initiate the physiotherapy (and shockwave) treatments on the same day as your evaluation.

Our Shockwave treatments utilize a combination of radial pressure waves, focused shockwaves, and hands-on therapy to deliver excellent outcomes. We will also provide you with a personalized home exercise program and guidance on how frequently it should be performed as well as what you need to avoid or modify to ensure that your pain isn’t aggravated.

However, if we determine that your condition would be better managed through an alternative approach, we will advise you accordingly and provide recommendations for other healthcare providers as necessary. If Shockwave treatment is not recommended for you, we will reduce the cost of your session to $210.

Book / Contact / Get In Touch With Us

1. WhatsApp me (Nigel)
2. Email me at nigel@phoenixrehabgroup.com

Our Singapore Shockwave Clinics

NOVENA 10 Sinaran Drive, Novena Medical Center #10-09, Singapore 307506 Whatsapp 8800 1830

TAMPINES 9 Tampines Grande #01-20 Singapore 528735 Whatsapp 8780 9608

SERANGOON 265 Serangoon Central Dr, #04-269, Singapore 550265 WhatsApp 8892 4121