Shock Wave Therapy
sea to sky sports physio
Shockwave therapy is a type of sound wave that is transmitted through a probe into an injured or painful area on the body to help it heal. The radial shockwaves helps stimulate healing reactions by increasing blood flow and increasing the growth of new cells in the body. It also provides pain relief by allowing the body to regenerate more healthy tissue through a cascade of cellular events.
The most successfully treated conditions (both in the literature and clinically) are:
- Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder
- Frozen shoulder
- Golfer’s or Tennis elbow)
- Plantar fascitis/ heel spurs
- Deep back pain
- Bursitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
Shockwave has also been shown to be effective in:
- Iliotibial (I.T) band syndrome
- Foot pain
- Muscle Strains
- Osteoarthritis Pain
- Patellar tendinitis
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
- Scar tissue
- Shin Splints
Shockwave technology was originally developed and used in hospitals to treat kidney stones, called lithotripsy, but when applied to musculoskeletal conditions it is called orthotripsy. There is currently a large amount of research showing the effectiveness of shockwave as a non-surgical means of helping many chronic conditions to heal, provide pain relief, and improve function.
TREATMENT PLAN
According to the research, most conditions require 3 – 6 visits spaced one week apart for successful treatment. Some chronic conditions may require a few additional treatments. The treatments require a minimum of 30 minutes for the first assessment and follow ups can be included in your regular physiotherapy treatment or in a separate 15 minute visit. Your physiotherapist will advise you on what treatment plan is best for you.
Shockwave is not appropriate if you have any of the following:
- Inflammatory Joint Disease
- Bleeding Disorder
- Blood Thinning Medications
- Cancer or Local Malignancy
- Cortisone (Steroid) Injection (under 6 weeks ago)
- Diabetes with Neuropathy
- Pacemaker
- Pregnancy
- Although safe for children, shockwave is not safe near the growth plates of any bones or joints.
- Shockwave is never applied over the front of the neck, chest, or abdomen and cannot be applied over open wounds or infections
BOOK YOUR SHOCKWAVE APPOINTMENT ONLINE
Some of our therapists work at both the Kindree Clinic on Cleveland Ave and at our Performance Center on 2nd Ave. If you are not seeing current availability, please look at each clinic’s schedule to find their next available appointment.
