What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment option that aids in speeding up recovery time, improves cell regeneration and repair, decreases pain and improves mobility.  Typically effects can be seen within 3-5 treatments with 1 treatment per week.  Some of the conditions that Shockwave Therapy can treat include (but are not limited to):
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Tennis/Golfer's Elbow
  • Chronic Tendinitis
  • Insertional Pain
  • Hip Pain

How Does it Work?

Compressed air within the applicator creates kinetic energy via the projectile in the sound-head to then transfer an acoustic wave into the tissue.  This acoustic wave transfers high energy into the painful musculoskeletal  areas of the body.  This transfer of energy into the tissue stimulates the reparative and regenerative processes in the bones, tendons and other soft tissues of the body.  

Effects of Shockwave

In order to stimulate cell regeneration and repair, there are various medical effects that Shockwave Therapy has on the body.  These effects are the following:
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Formation of New Blood Vessels

Acoustic waves from the Shockwave applicator create the micro-ruptures in the capillaries which leads to an increase in circulation to promote repair processes.

Decrease in Chronic Inflammation 

Application of acoustic waves increases mast cell activity which interrupts the inflammatory process.

Collagen Production Stimulation

Shockwave application stimulates the production of collagen which is required to repair many musculoskeletal and ligamentous structures in the body.

Release of Pain Mediator "Substance P"

"Substance P" is is a neurotransmitter that helps to mediate pain via the C nerve fibres.   Release of "Substance P" often aids in the decrease of chronic and persistent pain.

Decrease in Calcified Fibroblasts

Acoustic waves help to break apart existing calcification that have developed as a result of previous traumas to the area.

Trigger Point Release

The acoustic waves delivered to the trigger point in the body help to unblock the calcium pump in the muscle and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments resulting in trigger point release.