Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, more commonly known as shockwave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that uses short, powerful acoustic waves to reduce pain and speed up the healing of damaged tissues, such as muscles and tendons.
Shockwave therapy has been used as a treatment modality since the 1980s and has been approved by both Canada Health and the American FDA to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Qualified therapists often use this treatment alongside other non-surgical, medication-free approaches to improve recovery and manage pain effectively.
What is Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to treat musculoskeletal conditions by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. A qualified therapist uses a specialized handheld device to deliver targeted shockwaves to affected tissues. The shockwaves penetrate the skin and cause a variety of biological responses that aid in soft tissue regeneration to support recovery and pain management.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy promotes healing and pain relief through four main mechanisms of action:
- Increased Blood Flow: Encouraging the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) helps deliver oxygen—and nutrient-rich blood to damaged tissue. This is important for conditions like plantar fasciitis or tendinopathy, where a poor blood supply tends to slow down the healing process.
- Cellular Stimulation: The activation of certain cells already present in our body promotes the production of growth factors and cytokines, which can accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.
- Collagen Synthesis: Stimulating new collagen production is beneficial for the strength and flexibility of tendons and ligaments throughout our body.
- Desensitization: Breaking up calcified tissue can help reduce stiffness and pain and improve mobility. Shockwave therapy additionally desensitizes nerve endings, leading to fewer pain signals and decreasing inflammation of the affected area.
A typical session lasts 10-15 minutes, and, depending on your unique circumstances, a treatment plan usually consists of 3-6 sessions.
Use Cases for Shockwave Therapy
Through these mechanisms, shockwave therapy can treat a wide range of conditions. This includes:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendinopathy (including achilles tendinopathy, patella tendinopathy and rotator cuff tendinopathy)
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- A wide range of sports injuries, including those that cause chronic pain
Being a non-invasive treatment, shockwave therapy is a much safer alternative to surgery or other more aggressive interventions for these conditions. It can provide significant relief for people who are struggling with persistent pain or stiffness that limits their ability to carry out everyday activities without experiencing significant discomfort.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Compared to alternative treatments for the conditions listed above, shockwave therapy has a range of attractive benefits:
- Pain Relief: It can alleviate acute and chronic pain associated with conditions such as plantar fasciitis and tendinopathy. Many people start to experience relief after just one or two sessions.
- Minimal Downtime: Treatment does not require significant downtime or a prolonged recovery period after each session. You can generally return to your normal activities after 24 hours of your treatment.
- Versatility: Shockwave therapy can treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, which makes it suitable for everyone, from elite athletes to the elderly or individuals with work-related repetitive strains.
- Quick: Treatments are relatively quick, with each session lasting between 10 and 30 minutes. This makes it easy to incorporate into a busy schedule.
- Cost Effectiveness: Compared to surgery or pharmacological treatments, shockwave therapy is relatively cost-effective and comes with fewer risks of side effects.
Overall, shockwave therapy delivered by physiotherapists and chiropractors offers advantages over alternative treatment options. If you are experiencing discomfort or mobility issues from an injury or condition related to soft tissue damage, shockwave therapy has the potential to provide significant relief quickly.
FAQs
Is shockwave therapy painful?
No. Shockwave therapy is generally well-tolerated, but some people can experience mild discomfort while receiving it. The sensation is often described as tapping or pulsing, and it can vary in intensity from mild to strong. Therapists usually start with lower-intensity shockwaves to get you used to the sensation before gradually increasing the strength of the treatment.
Does shockwave therapy have any adverse side effects?
For most patients, shockwave therapy has virtually no side effects or risks. However, there is a slight chance that some people might experience mild side effects. This could include mild discomfort, some redness or swelling, minor bruising, or slight numbness or tingling in the treated area immediately after treatment.
What is the science behind shockwave therapy?
Many studies have been done that support the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for a wide range of medical conditions. It works by improving blood circulation, triggering the cells that promote tissue healing, stimulating collagen production, and desensitizing nerve endings by breaking up calcified deposits in soft tissues.
How long does it take for shockwave therapy to work?
With shockwave therapy, results tend to be achieved quite quickly. Most patients will start to notice improvements after just one or two sessions, but several sessions may be needed to experience the full benefits of the treatment and return to your regular sports or activities.
Start Your Recovery Today
At Leaside Sports Medicine, an initial consultation with our practitioners will allow us to determine if shockwave therapy is the proper treatment for you. We will discuss your medical history, current symptoms, and any alternative treatments you may have already tried.
Contact us today or book online using the link below to schedule your appointment and start your journey toward recovery!
