Shockwave Therapy
We are offering Shockwave Therapy Treatments at our main Victoria Physiotherapy Clinic located at 100B-3200 Shelbourne Street, Victoria, B.C., V8P 5G8. The clinic is conveniently located near the Hillside Mall at the corner of North Dairy and Shelbourne Street.
To book an appointment for Shockwave Therapy please call our clinic today at 250-598-9828.
What Conditions Can Be Treated?
Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, in particular, those involving areas where major connective tissue attaches to bone. Common sites that can be successfully treated are:
- Foot – Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs & Achilles tendonitis
- Knee – Patellar tendonitis, jumper's knee & shin pain
- Elbow – tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Shoulder – rotator cuff tendonitis & calcification
- Hip – trochanteric bursitis
- Muscles – various trigger points throughout the body and muscle tension
- Bones-Stress fractures, non union's(delayed bone healing)
- Nerves-Morton's Neuroma
What are the Advantages?
Shockwave therapy is a recent development that is used successfully by healthcare providers that specialize in musculoskeletal disorders. As compared to other treatment methods, the advantages are:
- Quickly reduces pain
- No medication is needed
- Avoids surgery and anasthesia
- No side effects
- No risk of allergies
- Accelerates healing
- Effective for chronic conditions
How does shockwave work?
Shockwaves accelerate the healing process by activating the body’s self-healing powers, particularly in cases where the body has been unable to do it on its own. It stimulates metabolism and enhances blood circulation which enables damaged tissue to regenerate and eventually heal. The treatment relieves pain by producing an analgesic effect on the treatment area. Healing occurs over several treatments by initiating an inflammatory response and ultimately vascularization to the area. The high energy acoustic waves that are transmitted through the surface of the skin are spread radially (spherically) into the body and the body responds with increased metabolic activity around the area of the pain. This stimulates and accelerates the healing process and is especially useful for those suffering from chronic heel, shoulder, knee, achilles, elbow and back pain.
Your therapist will apply shockwaves through a specially designed hand piece that produces strong energy pulses for short periods of time. The shockwave energy pulses are applied directly to the affected tissue areas in controlled procedure.
Shockwaves have a mechanical effect on the tissue. Pressure in the front of the shockwave is transmitted into the tissue, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst into a resultant force. (see chart A)
This force penetrates tissue and stimulates cells in the body which are responsible for bone (osteoblast) and connective tissue (fibroblast) healing.
Research has also shown that Shockwave also breaks down calcium deposits.
What is the success rate?
After only 2-3 sessions, over 80% of patients report a significant reduction in pain.
- 90% improvement for plantar fasciitis (Journal of Orthopedic Research, 2005)
- 91% improvement for calcific tendonitis (Journal of American Medical Association, 2003)
- 77% improvement for tennis elbow (Journal of Orthopedics, 2005)
How Long Does Treatment Last?
The therapy session takes about 10-15 minutes depending on the disorder that is treated. In general, 3-5 sessions are necessary at weekly intervals.
Ask your doctor or therapist if your condition can be treated by Shockwave Therapy and book your treatment sessions today!
