Radial Pressure Wave Therapy helps to improve pain in various musculoskeletal conditions
"Radial Pressure Wave therapy is an excellent addition to managing chronic conditions. Due to its depth of penetration and providing influence to the tissue through mechanotransduction, the clinician has an opportunity to treat conditions effectively and efficiency that would otherwise have been a challenge.
Often time, patients experience immediate results in reduction of pain as well increased performance such as range of motion.
Due to the short treatment times, low physical effort on the part of the clinician, and small number of treatments required for improved clinical outcomes, this treatment is very beneficial."
Chris Proulx;
DC, PhD(abd), ATC, CSCS
Clinical Consultant, Chattanooga
What is Radial Pressure Wave Therapy?
Radial Pressure waves are acoustic waves that generate oscillations in the tissue. The wave hits the body at skin surface and from there travels radially into the body to a depth of around 2 inches. In the body, the pressure waves stimulate metabolic activity and the body’s intrinsic healing mechanism.
Treatment goals of Radial Pressure Wave Therapy are to help:
- Reduce muscle pain and aches
- Temporarily increase blood flow
- Activate connective tissue
Benefits of Radial Pressure Wave Therapy
Short treatment time (minutes)
Non-invasive and no known significant adverse effects
Results in few treatments
Treat large areas
Muscle massage with vibrating applicator
Alternative to medication
Trapezius muscle
Elbow pain
Shoulder pain
Achilles tendon pain
Knee pain
Plantar & heel pain
1 Cristina d’Agostino M et al. Shock wave as biological therapeutic tool: From mechanical stimulation to recovery and healing, through mechanotransduction. Int J Surg. 2015 Dec;24(Pt B):147-53.
2 Damian M et al. Trigger point treatment with radial shock waves in musicians with nonspecific shoulder-neck pain: data from a special physio outpatient clinic for musicians. Med Probl Perform Art. 2011 Dec;26(4):211-7.
3 Beyazal MS et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of local corticosteroid injection and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Dec;27(12):3755-8.
4 Cacchio A et al. Effectiveness of Radial Shock-Wave Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder: Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Study. Phys Ther. 2006 May;86(5):672-82.
5 Rompe JD et al. Eccentric Loading Versus Eccentric Loading Plus Shock-Wave Treatment for Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2009 Mar;37(3):463-70.
6 Furia JP et al. A single application of low-energy radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is effective for the management of chronic patellar tendinopathy. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013 Feb;21(2):346-50.
7 Gerdesmeyer L et al. Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Is Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Chronic Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis. Results of a Confirmatory Randomized Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study. Am J Sports Med. 2008 Nov;36(11):2100-9