NovaSonic (Intrasound) Therapy in South Croydon
Persistent joint stiffness and soft tissue tightness don’t always respond to rest alone. NovaSonic therapy uses targeted mechanical vibration as one option within a broader programme of musculoskeletal care. At Croydon Sports Injury Clinic Ltd, it may be used alongside hands-on treatment and rehabilitation rather than as a standalone treatment.
A Longstanding Technology Used in Modern Care
NovaSonic is a non-invasive form of local mechanical vibration, commonly described as intrasound therapy. A handheld treatment head delivers mechanical vibration locally to the tissues. NovaSonic uses local mechanical vibration and is distinct from therapeutic ultrasound and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). It operates within the audible and intrasonic frequency spectrum rather than using the technologies associated with either treatment.
What Has Research Looked At?
Research into intrasound and related forms of local vibration therapy has explored several areas. Studies vary in size, design and the type of vibration therapy investigated, so the findings shouldn’t be taken as evidence that NovaSonic is an established treatment for each of these conditions.
Areas investigated include:
- Knee osteoarthritis alongside exercise-based rehabilitation
- Chronic mechanical neck pain alongside massage and exercise
- Myofascial pain, including jaw-related muscular pain
- Muscular tension and localised stiffness
- Tendon healing in experimental research
The evidence remains limited. Some human trials have involved relatively small numbers of participants, while much of the tendon-specific research has involved animal models. Broader reviews of vibration-based therapies have described findings as potentially promising while also noting limitations in the available evidence and the need for further well-designed research.
For these reasons, NovaSonic is considered a potential adjunct to care rather than a cure or replacement for established assessment, rehabilitation, exercise or other clinically indicated treatment.
How NovaSonic Fits Into Your Care
Care at Croydon Sports Injury Clinic Ltd begins with an individual assessment, including a health history and physical examination. Your practitioner can then determine which approaches may be considered based on your presentation and clinical needs.
Where NovaSonic is considered suitable, it may be incorporated alongside chiropractic or manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, rehabilitation or exercise rather than delivered in isolation.
Although NovaSonic and shockwave therapy both involve mechanical energy, they are different technologies with different applications. We therefore consider them as separate treatment options.
What Does NovaSonic Treatment Involve?
NovaSonic is applied locally using a handheld treatment head placed against the skin. If it’s included in your care, your practitioner will explain why it has been considered and how it fits into your broader treatment programme.
Research into vibration-based approaches continues to develop. The current evidence shouldn’t be interpreted as establishing that NovaSonic will produce a particular clinical outcome, and treatment suitability is assessed individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NovaSonic the same as shockwave therapy?
How do I know if NovaSonic may be considered for me?
Ask Us About NovaSonic
If you’d like to learn more about NovaSonic and why it may sometimes be incorporated into musculoskeletal care, speak with the team at Croydon Sports Injury Clinic Ltd. Following an individual assessment, your practitioner can discuss whether it may be considered alongside other clinically indicated treatment.
References
- Aiyegbusi AI, Okafor UA, Adejugbagbe MA, Akinfeleye A, Fapojuwo O. (2015). Intrasound Therapy is an Effective Adjunct in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Control Trial. Clinical Medicine Reviews in Therapeutics, 7, 11-17. DOI: 10.4137/CMRT.S30942.
- Aiyegbusi AI, Sanni HO, Akinbo SR. (2019). Intrasound therapy: an effective alternative to sodium diclofenac phonophoresis in the management of mechanical chronic cervical spine pain. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 23(2), 371-376. DOI: 10.4314/jasem.v23i2.26.
- Serritella E, et al. (2020). Local Vibratory Stimulation for Temporomandibular Disorder Myofascial Pain Treatment: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Preliminary Study. Pain Research and Management, 2020, 6705307.
- Aiyegbusi AI, et al. (2012). The morphology of the healing tendon: a comparison of the effects of intrasound therapy and therapeutic pulsed ultrasound. Connective Tissue Research. PMID 22574701. DOI: 10.3109/03008207.2012.690793.
- Aiyegbusi AI, et al. Intrasound therapy in tendon healing: is intensity a factor? Experimental investigation of treatment frequency and intensity in Achilles tendon healing. PMID 27789997.
- Aiyegbusi AI, Ajibola OA, Samuel TA, Balogun OJ, Duru FI. (2021). Intrasound Therapy Improves the Mechanical Properties and the Morphology of Tendons in Fluoroquinolone-Induced Achilles Tendinopathy. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 25(7).
