Shockwave therapy is gaining popularity in the world of physiotherapy and sports medicine. That’s because this non-invasive treatment has been shown to be successful at reducing pain and speeding up recovery from injuries, both on its own and when combined with traditional physiotherapy treatments.
How does shockwave therapy work?
Shockwave therapy works by sending brief but powerful mechanical — not electrical — energy surges through the soft tissue at the injury site. The pressure from the shockwaves stimulates the cells associated with connective tissue and bone healing. The body responds by increasing metabolic activity around the treatment site and boosting collagen production. Both of these responses stimulate and accelerate the healing process.
Shockwave therapy is most often used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, or injuries to areas where connective tissues and bones meet. Some issues that can be effectively treated this way include:
Tendinitis in different parts of the body
Tennis or golfer’s elbow
Plantar fasciitis
Heel spurs
Bursitis
Shin splints
Joint injuries
Muscle injuries
Connective tissue degeneration
What are the benefits of shockwave therapy?
Here are some reasons to choose shockwave therapy combined with, or instead of, other options:
It’s non-invasive. The treatment is administered over the skin and requires no anesthesia. This makes it a good choice for people who want to avoid surgery and medication.
There are few side effects. The treatment site may feel tender or swollen for a day or two following the treatment, but the discomfort is minimal and temporary. Most people are able to resume their usual activities almost immediately.
It’s effective. Studies have shown that shockwave therapy has a success rate of up to 90%, depending on the injury being treated.
It breaks up calcification. Shockwave pulses break calcium deposits into small particles that are easily absorbed by the body. This is helpful for people suffering from calcific tendinitis or other conditions caused by calcium buildups anywhere in the body.
It relieves pain. Although it’s normal to be slightly sore for a day or two after shockwave therapy, many people notice reduced pain after the first treatment. The stimulation of healing processes also means that chronic pain associated with some conditions will likely diminish.
Shockwave therapy in Ottawa
If you’d like to know whether shockwave therapy is right for you, visit the professionals at Ottawa-Carleton Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Center. We’re proud to offer this and many other cutting-edge physiotherapy treatments to the people of Ottawa. Call us today to make an appointment.