The benefits of shockwave therapy in speeding healing from running injuries are becoming more well-known. In this blog our osteopath Molly Brown explains how this therapy works and its benefits for runners and other athletes.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy is also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT). Low energy acoustic waves are delivered directly onto the skin covering an area of pain and inflammation.
Originally developed to support the treatment of kidney stones, the therapy is now successfully used to relieve acute joint or muscle pain from sports injury or post-operative. It is also beneficial in treating chronic pain. The waves trigger the release of endorphins, which are hormones that help reduce pain.
A growing number of scientific papers have found that it is effective in the treatment of conditions such as heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy.
With no known side effects to shockwave therapy, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, who give guidance, advice and information to healthcare professionals, approves the use of it for musculoskeletal pain relief in clinic and hospital settings in the UK.
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment
When it comes to treating tendons and other connective tissue, SWT offers a non-invasive option with speedier healing time, and the avoidance of any degradation to tissue such as might be seen with the use of repeated steroid injections.
Steroid injections and surgery also usually require lengthy rest periods, while that required after SWT is usually only 1-2 days. This enables runners and athletes to continue their activity whilst managing numerous conditions such as tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis.
Shockwave therapy for running injuries
Let’s explore the benefits of shockwave therapy for 3 common running injuries
Achilles Tendinopathy: Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that causes swelling, stiffness and pain in the tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel. It’s an injury often caused by overuse, and runners may sustain it if they don’t allow enough recovery time after an initial strain. Research has shown that pressure waves from shockwave therapy can speed healing by stimulating blood flow and metabolism. Increased blood flow can be especially beneficial in tendons, which do not receive much blood supply and therefore usually heal more slowly.
Shin Splints: Shin splints are also known as medial tibial stress syndrome. It is felt as pain in the general shin area between the ankle and knee. Shin splints can often affect runners and other athletes, due to a sudden increase in activity, or wearing ill-fitting running shoes. Shockwave therapy for injuries of the soft tissue and tendons is a non-invasive treatment option that offers fast results, increasing blood flow, and stem cell activity which promotes healing.
Plantar Fasciitis: This is the most common type of heel pain where the ligamentous tissue band connecting the heel to the toes is inflamed or swollen after a period of overuse or strain. This causes pain in the sole and heel when walking or standing. Guidance from NICE confirms the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for treating this condition.
Shockwave therapy at our clinic
Make an appointment with Molly Brown in our Honiton clinic today, if you are experiencing pain during or after running. Shockwave therapy can support you to get back to running without lengthy recovery times
