Shockwave treatment is used to treat ligament and bone issues, such as proximal suspensory and suspensory branch troubles, bucked-shins, kissing spine and generalised back pain, curbs, tarsometatarsal (lower hock) pain and neck stiffness.
The shockwaves are generated by a device that looks a bit like a gun. Despite making a machine gun noise horses tolerate it well. It has a painkiller effect and it produces a very low-grade inflammation in the target area, which, as a result, drives an increase in blood flow and consequent delivery of healing factors.
Shockwave treatment is useful when dealing with chronic pain. Treatments can be repeated every 14 days.
