Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy goes by several names, depending on the area where the treatment focuses. The therapy involves using acoustic sound waves that carry high energy to painful spots in body tissue. The energy from the waves promotes the regeneration of bones, tendons, and other soft tissues.

During the regenerative and reparative processes, certain tangible medical effects take place. Here’s how shockwave therapy treatment can help:

• New blood vessels are formed, improving blood supply and oxygenation of the treated area. Faster healing is one result.
• Reversal of chronic inflammation occurs as mast cell activity increases. Mast cells play an important role in wound healing and defense against pathogens.
• Accelerates the generation of collagen, which helps tendon fibers become denser and stiffer, creating a firmer structure.
• Calcium build-up breaks down – granular portions of the buildup are removed by the body’s lymphatic system in areas where micro-tears and other trauma to tendons exist.
• Substance P levels are lowered and pain is reduced when a neurotransmitter relays pain messages to the central nervous system and inhibits the formation of inflammatory edema.

Shock Therapy can treat several chronic conditions such as:

• Shoulder pain
• Tennis elbow
• Heel spurs
• Tendinopathy
• Hip pain
• Other conditions requiring physiotherapy

Physiotherapy addresses several conditions and provides patients greater strength. Alongside shockwave therapy, pain can be alleviated and results may be felt more quickly:

1. Safe and effective. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that penetrates the body’s skin without requiring surgery. A study on knee osteoarthritis marked a decrease in pain and improved function in knee joints among patients who used shockwave therapy.

2. Long-lasting. Patients who suffered from chronic tendinopathy in the shoulder, elbow, and plantar fascia reported no pain six months after treatment.

3. Versatile. Shockwave therapy can be used to treat several chronic conditions and is shown to be effective when used with other treatments (like laser therapy).

If you are suffering from chronic conditions that affect your daily life, PARC of Ontario offers physiotherapy and several rehabilitative treatments, including shockwave therapy, for you. Our dynamic and caring team of professionals are ready to form a treatment plan with you that best suits your schedule and physical needs. Check our list of centres and schedule an appointment today.