We are the only clinic in the lower mainland, including Vancouver, offering both Radial & Focused Shockwave Therapy. Over 80% of patients treated have experienced a significant reduction in pain or are completely pain-free.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a secure, non-invasive treatment mostly used for people with problems with their muscles, tendons, and joints. Additionally, it is used to support better circulation and the creation of new blood vessels (neo-vascularization) in situations including cardiovascular disease, Raynaud’s disease, and erectile dysfunction.
The method of treatment is applying shockwaves, which are sound waves with strong pressure pulses, to sore or painful locations. With the aid of a gel that has been applied to your skin, the pulsations can enter your body and interact with tissue, speeding up tissue regeneration (including bone, tendon, and ligament formation), stimulating the growth of new blood vessels and cartilage, improving circulation, relieving pain, and restoring your mobility.
According to research, shockwave treatment is very efficient in treating orthopaedic and musculoskeletal disorders by triggering the body’s own natural healing process. The targeted defective tissue is broken down by the energy waves employed, and blood flow is increased. In response, the body speeds up local metabolism and produces fresh, healthy tissue.
What is the difference between Radial & Focused Shockwave?
They essentially employ different methods of shockwave propagation into tissue, which results in various specializations dependent on tissue depth & type. While Focused Shockwave can penetrate deeper and more specifically stimulate deep joints (shoulders, spine (back, neck), hips, and knees), Radial Shockwave is best for more superficial connective tissue in the extremities (trigger points, tendons, and ligaments in the elbows, hands, ankles, and feet). Additionally, Focused Shockwave has a stronger induction of growth factors, increased stimulation of the development of new blood vessels, and a stronger analgesic and anti-inflammatory impact.
What Can Be Treated by Shockwave Therapy?
Studies have shown that shockwave therapy is 76% – 91% effective (Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2012), with low and negligible complications, for the following musculoskeletal conditions and injuries:
- Tendinopathies & Tendinitis (calcific tendinopathy, chronic tendinopathies) (91% improvement in Calcific Tendonitis – Journal of American Medical Association 2003)
- Elbow problems: Medial (Golfer’s) and Lateral (Tennis) Epicondylitis (77% improvement for Tennis Elbow – The Journal of Orthopedics 2005)
- Shoulder problems: Rotator Cuff Injuries, Frozen Shoulder, Shoulder Impingement
- Foot pain: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, calcaneal (heel) spurs, and arch pain (90% improvement for Plantar Fascitis – Journal of Orthopaedic Research 2005)
- Bone spurs and calcifications
- Bursitis (shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee)
- Knee and leg problems (arthritis, Jumper’s knee, patella-femoral syndrome, medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints, hamstring strains)
- Hip pain, arthritis & sacral iliac (SI) joint issues
- Neck pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion (Cervical syndrome)
- Facial Release & releasing myofascial adhesions
- Myofascial Dysfunction
- Trigger Points
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Soft Tissue Strains
- Stress fractures / Non-union fractures
- Osgood-Schlater
- Morton’s neuroma
- Scar tissue treatment
- General: reducing pain, improving muscle function, and healing
Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical option with results that, in some cases, can be as effective as surgery and should be considered when other treatment options have failed or the condition continues to return.
What are the benefits of shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy has been known to:
- Reduce pain quickly
- Reduce inflammation (& reverse chronic inflammation)
- Enhance circulation by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels
- Induce collagen production
- Break down and dissolve calcium deposits or calcifications
- Release trigger points
- Accelerate healing
- And all of that within 3-5 sessions, without medication, surgery or side effects
How many treatments will I need?
The research backed protocols outline that most conditions will require 3-5 sessions of shockwave therapy. An additional 2 sessions may be required if the condition is very chronic.
Does the treatment itself, hurt?
Although the process of treatment might be unpleasant, it is often accepted. Most folks are able to justify and get through the tough 15 minutes. Many patients report that their discomfort is reduced or gone entirely right away following therapy. Skin breakdown, edoema, and bruises are possible side effects.
Due to the body’s inflammatory response to the shockwave pulses, there can be some discomfort or throbbing for one to two hours following the therapy session. This is typical and represents your body’s attempt to mend and regenerate the affected tissue. After 1-2 days, this soreness normally goes away.
