Basketball is an intense and physically demanding sport that places a significant strain on the body, particularly the tendons. Athletes, particularly basketballers, are no strangers to the occasional tendon injury, such as Achilles or patella tendinopathies, which can hinder performance and keep you away from the court. Fortunately, there is a ground-breaking treatment option available that can expedite your recovery process and get you back in the game faster than ever before. Hoops Physio is proud to introduce our new service: shockwave therapy.

Tendons are connective tissue that connect muscles to bone, that allow the body to facilitate movement and transmit forces. However, the repetitive stress and strain placed on tendons during basketball can lead to overuse injuries and subsequent tendon damage, particularly in the achilles and knee. These conditions can cause pain, reduced range of motion, and restrict your training and playing. 

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive and highly effective treatment option for tendon injuries (Leal, C., Ramon, S., Furia, J., Fernandez, A., Romero, L., & Hernandez-Sierra, L., 2015). It involves the use of acoustic waves to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms and promote tissue regeneration. These waves are generated by a specialised device and delivered to the injured tendon through a handheld applicator.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work? 

• The acoustic waves penetrate the injured tissue, causing microtrauma. This microtrauma stimulates the body's healing response, increasing blood flow to the area and promoting the formation of new blood vessels 
• It also triggers the release of growth factors, which further enhance the healing process by stimulating cell division, collagen production, and tissue repair.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Basketball Players:

1. Non-invasive and alternative to medications and injections
2. Accelerated healing by promoting blood flow and triggering the release of growth factors
3. Pain reduction - effective in alleviating pain associated with tendon injuries, allowing you to regain your range of motion and resume your basketball activities.
4. Improved tissue function - It helps restore normal tendon structure, reduces scar tissue formation, and enhances the flexibility and strength of the affected area.
5. Minimal downtime- you can typically resume your basketball training and activities shortly after the treatment, with proper guidance from your physiotherapist.

Shockwave therapy is an adjunctive therapy to your rehabilitation exercises, and allows you to be able to progress through your strength, power and agility rehab program faster. 

As an athlete, your performance and enjoyment of the game can be hindered by tendon injuries. Hoops Physio understands the unique needs of athletes and is proud to offer shockwave therapy as a cutting-edge treatment option. By harnessing the power of acoustic waves, shockwave therapy can accelerate the healing process, reduce pain, and improve tissue function, allowing you to get back on the court stronger than ever before. 

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