Shockwave Therapy – Physiotherapist’s “Game-Changing” Tool!

Physiotherapist’s common goal is to restore a patient’s well-being, decrease pain, increase function and make it last. At VanCity Physio, we always seek the best available treatment method to deliver first-rate care to our clients!

Why Is Shockwave Therapy Physiotherapy’s Ultimate Treatment Method?

Shockwave therapy is clinically proven to treat many musculoskeletal conditions without the need for surgery or drugs.

By using a Shockwave therapy machine, a physiotherapist delivers pressure waves into the site of an injury through the skin. This enhances blood flow, which stimulates cells responsible for bone and tissue healing, thereby accelerating the natural healing process.

Shockwave therapy can treat:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Calcific tendonitis
• Lateral epicondylitis
• Tendonitis of the wrist, forearm, knee, and hip
• Trigger Finger
• DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Bursitis of the shoulder, knee, and hip
• Myofascial trigger points
• Morton’s neuromas
• TMJ dysfunction
• Heel spurs

Basically, anything found in and around the joint area or conditions in which muscles are involved (breakdown of deep scar tissue due to an old tear) or an area IMS is not recommended or is contraindicated (Non-Invasive Trigger Point Release)

Many of these conditions can be stubbornly chronic, refusing to improve with first-line treatments like conditioning, stretching, rest, etc. At the same time, patients may be unwilling to undergo invasive surgery. In these instances, Shockwave therapy is ideal.

Four Core Benefits of Shockwave Treatment

1.Non-invasive and drug-free

Because Shockwave treatment uses acoustic pressure waves to enhance the body’s natural healing process, it can treat conditions without the need for surgery or drugs. This is ideal for patients who haven’t responded to conservative, front-line treatment but still aren’t ready for surgery or prescription medication.

In turn, patients can get back to daily activities like work-related duties or sports quicker because they don’t have to deal with lengthy post-surgery recovery timelines.

2.Versatile

Shockwave treatment helps reduce chronic inflammation, stimulates collagen, and breaks up calcium deposits. As a result, a plethora of musculoskeletal conditions can benefit from Shockwave treatment, including:

• Tendinopathies
• Myofascial trigger points
• Plantar fasciitis
• Calcifications
• Non-union
• Stress fractures
• Erectile dysfunction

Additionally, fun fact, veterinarians and trainers can use Shockwave treatment for horses and other small animals.

3.Safe and effective

Many scientific papers have been published attesting to the safety and efficacy of shockwave treatments. A recent study published in Current Sports Medicine Reports reviewed the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for various musculoskeletal conditions in athletes, including rotator cuff tendinopathy, lateral elbow epicondylitis, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, proximal hamstring tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and other tendinopathies.

Researchers concluded Shockwave treatment was “a safe treatment option for peripheral musculoskeletal conditions in athletes.” Moreover, Shockwave treatment “requires no, to minimal, time away from sport.”

4.Easy to use

With the proper training, a VanCity Physio Physiotherapist can take advantage of Shockwave treatment. 

What Is the Evidence for Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy has been proven to improve outcomes for patients when paired with a physiotherapy program.

One study published in the Archives of Rheumatology investigated the efficacy of treating chronic rotator cuff calcific tendinitis with Shockwave therapy and physiotherapy. Researchers split 80 patients into two groups. The study group received Shockwave therapy and physiotherapy while the control group only received physiotherapy. Before and after treatment, patients were evaluated for age, height, weight, body mass index, pain intensity with a Visual Analog Scale, shoulder ROM, and functional disability status with the Quick DASH.

While both groups benefited from their respective treatments, the study group enjoyed “a statistically significant improvement in pain, ROM and Quick Dash scores,” proving the value of combining Shockwave therapy with physiotherapy.

Don’t delay, seek a virtual or in person session regarding this “MiracleTreatment”, words used by one of our recent VanCity Physio clients.