Shock Wave Therapy
Physiotherapists widely use extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a non-invasive alternative to surgery, an alternative to steroids, and as a way to avoid the use of other prescription drugs, including drug injections.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy works by promoting the body to begin processes that usually occur spontaneously during healing. With some injuries – particularly those that involve the tendons and plantar fascia – the healing process can become stunted and stall, leading to chronic injuries that persist for a significant amount of time. Shockwave therapy cues the body to release specialized healing enzymes that fuel metabolic reactions and promote pain relief, allowing injured areas to begin repairing themselves.
Shockwave therapy is an effective, non-intrusive, and convenient method for addressing some very debilitating injuries, and it works for more than eight out of ten patients. If you have a persistent, painful complaint and it’s impacting your ability to live normally, your physiotherapist may consider a course of shockwave therapy – often as part of a broader, fully tailored treatment plan.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwaves during treatment are non-electrical and consist of a high-energy sound wave that your physiotherapist administers via a hand-held device. The sound waves pass through affected areas of the body and result in an immediate increase in local blood flow. They also break up areas of scarring caused by injuries, which can become considerable over the course of time in the case of longer-term problems.
Scar tissue prevents quick and effective healing because it is fibrous and lacks the elasticity of healthy tissue. When chronic injuries persist or injuries are left untreated for a significant amount of time, scar tissue impedes mobility and can affect healthy tissue too. That means injuries worsen rather than heal, which becomes impossible, leading to pain and problems accomplishing everyday tasks, activities, sports, or work.
Sound waves deployed during shockwave therapy sessions have several effects, including:
- Stimulation of collagen production
- Dissolving harmful calcium build-up
- Reducing inflammation
- Boosting blood supply to injured areas
- Significantly improving pain and mobility
Shockwave therapy promotes the growth of new, healthy cells and improves circulation so the body can once again deliver healing blood and materials to the injury site. Once healing has begun and progressed sufficiently, physiotherapists can address pain and mobility issues and start bringing patients to a full recovery.
Shockwave Therapy in Port Moody and Coquitlam: What to expect
When you visit a physiotherapist in Coquitlam or Port Moody, they’ll first perform a thorough examination and decide on suitable treatment options. If they recommend shockwave therapy, the physio will apply some special gel to the injured area and apply treatment using a small device similar to those used in ultrasound examinations. Treatments can last anything between five and twenty minutes, but they’ll likely form part of longer sessions involving techniques like active rehab in some cases, massage therapy, and other forms of physical treatment.
Sound waves are a relatively non-painful treatment option. However, you may experience some minor immediate discomfort during sessions, depending on the strength of the waves required and the nature of your specific injury. Your Port Moody physio may also prescribe some exercises for you to perform at home between sessions, which will generally occur once each week. Many patients experience a marked improvement in symptoms after a single treatment, typically delivered in courses of up to six or eight sessions.
What can Shockwave Therapy Help With?
Shockwave therapy is a popular and successful treatment option for physiotherapists and patients because it can be employed in a wide variety of situations and provide a viable alternative to debilitating surgery. While it’s often used to treat soft tissue injuries, shockwave therapy can also be applied in cases of bone injuries.
The following are just some of the reasons your Coquitlam or Port Moody physiotherapist may turn to shockwave therapy:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
- Bony spurs
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Issues with the Achilles tendon
- Ankle injuries and ankle spurs
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder Impingements
- Bursitis
Port Moody and Coquitlam Physiotherapy: Why use shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a go-to option for many physiotherapists because it often negates the need for surgery – which can be a recovery challenge for patients, and reduces the need for strong painkilling medications – which often come with counter-productive side effects. Instead, shockwave therapy harnesses the body’s natural ability to heal itself and sees patients back to normal function faster – which is ultimately the goal of every healthcare professional.
Physiotherapists in Port Moody and Coquitlam: Shockwave therapy
Inspine Therapy provides a full range of physio, chiropractic care, and massage therapy services from a modern physiotherapy clinic covering Coquitlam and Port Moody. If you would like to find out more about the many options and benefits of physiotherapy, please don’t hesitate to call us on 604-936-8288. Alternatively, you can make an appointment online via our quick and easy form. Shockwave therapy may not be suitable if you are pregnant, taking blood thinners, or have a pacemaker fitted.
