Shockwave Therapy
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Radial Shockwave Therapy (Shockwave Therapy) is a treatment method that applies acoustic pressure waves to the injured area. The pressure waves stimulate cellular metabolism and circulation, accelerating the body’s natural healing process.
Shockwave Therapy has been proven to help patients with chronic tendinopathies that have been unsuccessful with other conservative treatments.
How does it work?
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in injured or painful tissues. The waves increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and trigger the body’s natural repair processes. It’s commonly used for tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, and calcific shoulder issues—non-invasive, fast, and effective for chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
What conditions can it help?
Shockwave therapy is a good technique for a range of complaints:
Tendons: The most common tendon complaints that can be treated are painful Achilles tendons, patellar tendons, tennis elbow, hamstring tendinopathy, shoulder tendinopathies, and frozen shoulder.
Bones: The most common bone pathologies are medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) and greater trochanteric pain syndrome (lateral hip)
Muscles: Treatment of trigger points, muscle pain and muscle hypertonia
Connective Tissue: Plantar fasciopathy, trigger finger, scar tissue.
What does it feel like? (Does it hurt?)
You may feel discomfort and soreness during the treatment. However, the intensity can be adjusted to your tolerance, and treatment usually lasts only 3-5 minutes.
What should I do after treatment?
You should continue your regular daily activity and the exercises and gentle stretches prescribed by your physiotherapist. Heat is helpful. It is recommended to avoid high impact or strenuous activities for 48 hours after shockwave treatment. Do not ice, as it will decrease the inflammatory response.
How many sessions will I need?
Typical treatment plans using shockwave take between 3-5 sessions, although the number of treatments varies depending on your injury and your tissue’s response to treatment.
How much will it cost?
The shockwave treatment will be an additional $10.00 over the regular physiotherapy visit cost. If you have extended health benefits it will be covered under your physiotherapy coverage.
Is there any preparation I should do prior to treatment?
It is recommended to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications at least one week prior to beginning treatment, and to stay off anti-inflammatories for six weeks once treatment has begun.
Is it similar to Ultrasound?
Both Ultrasound and Shockwave Therapy use acoustic (sound) waves to produce therapeutic benefits and are both non-invasive forms of treatment. However, Therapeutic Ultrasound utilizes high frequency sound waves, while Shockwave Therapy utilizes lower frequency waves. This creates a different treatment sensation: Ultrasound generates some gentle heat, while
Shockwave Therapy treatment is available at our Wilson Centre Clinic (604) 942-4115