7 Reasons to Try Shockwave Therapy

If you suffer from shoulder, knee, back, anke, leg, wrist, foot or any other muscle or joint pain then you might want to consider shockwave therapy.

What exactly is it? Shockwave therapy was first used as a device to break up kidney stones and gallstones. Over time, health care practitioners soon found out it could treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions by triggering the body’s natural healing response.

The acoustic waves produced by shockwave therapy stimulate muscle repair, regeneration, and also work to increase blood flow. It’s a safe and clinically proven treatment for those who suffer with acute or persistent pain.

Users of shockwave typically report reduced pain and improved mobility after their first treatment!

This therapy has been shown to be effective for:

– Back pain – lower, middle and upper
– Hip Bursitis
– Shin Splints
– Plantar Fasciitis
– Achilles Tendinopathy
– Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
– Tennis Elbow
– Rotator Cuff Pain

Here are 7 reasons to try shockwave therapy

1.) Improves blood flow

Shockwave works by applying low energy pulses to an injured area. These pulses drive blood to the damaged tissues which can help speed up healing. Increased blood flow helps bring oxygen and healing factors to the area.

2.) Influences chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation can damage joints and healthy tissues. Shockwave therapy stimulates your body to produce a pro-inflammatory process. This allows your body to increase blood circulation and metabolism to the injured area, accelerating healing.

3.) Stimulate collagen production

Collagen is a tissue that is essential for the repair process for damaged tissue and ligaments. It is what makes up our tendons and muscles. Shockwave therapy accelerates the synthesis of collagen which helps make the tendon and muscle fibers more dense and strong.

4.) Release trigger points

Trigger points feel like knots under your skin. Sometimes these trigger points cause no pain or discomfort but for others they can cause significant pain and radiate to other parts of your body. Shockwave therapy can help release these trigger points.

Shockwave therapy courtesy of Vitality Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre (Read the caption)

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5.) Fast results

Each treatment lasts about 20 minutes and patients often notice an improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment.

6.) Proven to help plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain at the bottom of your foot, especially when you are walking.

Shockwave therapy helps the body heal itself by increasing blood flow to the area and breaking up scar tissue in the foot

Normally a practitioner will perform it once every 1 or 2 weeks. Some people feel better after 1 session, but usually it takes 3-4 treatments. It’s great for people who want noninvasive treatment.

7.) Non invasive

Finally, a great thing about shockwave therapy is that is non-invasive. There are no needles or injections involved, nor does it include drugs or anesthesia. Other than potential mild post-treatment soreness, there are no major side effects.

There you have it, 7 reasons to try Shockwave Therapy. If you’re interested in shockwave therapy near you, then book an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists by using the find a clinic near you button on this page.

Shockwave therapy courtesy of Dynamic Health Therapy Inc. (Read the caption)

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Book Your BACK NECK SHOULDER KNEE ELBOW HIP WRIST FOOT Pain Consult

This appointment is your opportunity to tell us what hurts and discover whether physiotherapy or chiropractic care is a good fit for you! During this session, you will talk with a physiotherapist or chiropractor on a phone call (or online) and create the right care plan specifically for your pain. There is no obligation on this session is to find out whether physiotherapy or chiropractic care can help you getting back to doing the things you love in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?

You may feel slight discomfort, however most patients are able to tolerate it well. Also the treatment typically only lasts for 5-20 minutes.

What do I do after Shockwave treatment?

It’s best to avoid any vigorous activity for 24 hours after a session to prevent the natural healing processes from being disrupted.

What Does Shockwave Therapy feel like?

Many report it feels like small pulses against your skin. However, your therapist can adjust the intensity to your comfort level.

About Taylor Sipos

Taylor is a physiotherapist at The Orthopaedic Therapy Clinic located in Toronto, Ontario. He treats patients with various musculoskeletal conditions using patient education, exercise therapy, manual therapy and acupuncture. His treatment philosophy involves giving his patient’s the means to self-manage their injuries. He does this through reassurance, education and health promotion. Taylor uses the same principles as a patient educator at Pain Hero. He aims to provide you with high-quality, easy to understand information to teach you about your condition and how to improve it.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information presented in this blog post is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, treatment or a diagnosis, consult with a medical professional such as one suggested on this website. The Clinic Accelerator Inc. and the author of this page are not liable for the associated risks of using or acting upon the information contained in this article.

7 Reasons to Try Shockwave Therapy