Exploring a New Treatment Option: Shockwave Therapy

Originally developed for the treatment of kidney stones, shockwave therapy is a promising modern therapy technique for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

What is it?
Shockwave is a non-invasive therapeutic technique shown to help decrease muscle tension and inhibit muscle spasm by improving blood flow to hypertonic muscles and their ligamentous structures. Additionally, shockwave can help repair damaged muscular and ligamentous structures by improving collagen production and facilitating new blood vessel formation.

How does it work?
Shockwave therapy utilizes controlled sonic pulses to apply a direct mechanical force to the area of concern.  This causes a biological reaction within the cells of that area, triggering the body’s natural healing response and increasing blood flow to the site.

Is shockwave for me?
Shockwave can be utilized in a therapeutic setting to treat musculoskeletal injuries such as plantar fasciitis, shoulder tendinitis, whiplash, tennis elbow, rotator cuff calcific tendonitis, chronic inflammation, stress fractures and osteoarthritis.
Shockwave is not applicable if you suffer from coagulation disorders, tumor diseases, acute inflammation, or if you have a pacemaker. Shockwave is also contraindicated during pregnancy and with children in a growth stage.
​
What can I expect? 
A typical treatment lasts 10 minutes per area being treated. Most injuries require multiple treatments spread several days apart to give your body an opportunity to do its natural healing in between sessions.
Individuals usually experience a significant reduction in pain and increase in mobility following the use of shockwave. Some patients may experience a little discomfort and bruising 2-4 hours after treatment. In some cases the discomfort may last up to 48 hours and in rare cases up to 5 days.

If you live in Thornhill or the GTA and are interested in learning more about the benefits of shockwave therapy, email us at jointventure.physio@gmail.com!