What is Shockwave therapy?
Radial Shockwave therapy is a series of high-energy percussion to the affected area. The shockwave is a physical shock, not an electrical one.
How does it work?
It is a radial shockwave that is pneumatically generated and transmitted into the tissue. A shockwave is an acoustic pulse, not an electric one.
The body responds with increased metabolic activity around the site of pain.
Re-absorption of irritative calcium deposits in tendons.
Shockwaves locally alter the chemical environment.
This stimulates the healing process, and reduces pain.
What areas of the body can be treated?
Proven to be effective for chronic heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, achilles tendonitis, calcific shoulder tendonitis, frozen shoulder, patellar tendonitis, and chronic low back pain.
Watch more videos to learn about how Shockwave Therapy can heal:
Plantar Fasciits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f159s6keszU
Jumper’s knee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebgaEjY-dYg
Shoulder pain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqLtfu3OLmw
What are the benefits of Shock Wave treatment?
This therapy works without the use of x-rays or drugs; it stimulates the body’s natural self healing process. There is usually an immediate reduction of pain and improved ease of movement. Secondary effects are minor. Shockwave therapy may also eliminate your need for surgery.
How long does each treatment last?
2000 shocks are typically administered per session, which lasts approximately five minutes.
How many treatments will I need? How often?
It takes 3-6 treatments, one week apart (maximum 10 days). Treatments last for approximately 15 minutes.
Each treatment session takes approximately 15 minutes. The treatments are done 5-10 days apart, depending upon the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response.
Does the treatment itself, hurt?
The treatments are uncomfortable but tolerated by everyone. Your therapist will adjust the settings to best suit each patient.
Will it hurt after the treatment? Are there side effects?
As you leave the clinic, you will most likely be feeling no pain but you may experience throbbing pain 2 to 4 hours following the treatment. This throbbing pain may increase for up to 24 hours. In some cases it can last up to 48 hours and in very rare cases, the pain may last up to five days.
There may be irritation or swelling but it usually disappears within days of treatment.
What should I do if I am in pain following the treatment?
Shockwave will trigger an inflammatory response which is the body’s natural process of healing. For this reason, do not use any anti-inflammatory medications. Do not use ice. The pain should subside within 24 hours. Use Tylenol if necessary. We also recommend magnetic biostimulation after shock wave to speed healing.
How fast does it work?
Some patients feel significant results after the first treatment. Some patients will not feel a difference until finishing their recommended course of care. The healing process is accumulative and therefore patients continue to have results weeks after ending their treatment. Because the cells are broken down, and are rebuilding (they actually are put back into the acute phase) the maximum relief is usually felt at the 12th week after their last treatment.
What is the cost?
The treatment is very effective, quick, and reasonably priced. Individual treatments are included in your physiotherapy session fee of $150 each. The treatments are provided by our Physiotherapist and will be covered by extended health care plans that pay for Physiotherapy treatment. Some employers may pay directly for the RSWT treatments for an employee. WSIB may cover chronic cases, patients should consult with their case worker.
Why use Radial Shock Wave Therapy?
Fast and effective.
A great option instead of surgery, that has a long recovery time, more rehab, and lost work time, lost income, and reduced quality of life/lifestyle while they recover.
Surgical success rates are much lower than the RSWT proven results.
Eliminate the use of medication.
Eliminate the use of cortisone, or repeated injections.
Used when all other methods have failed.
Athletes who want to return to their sport and suffer from chronic pain.
Has Radial Shock Wave been clinically proven?
Download this booklet to learn about the scientific proof
One placebo-controlled study into the efficacy of ballistically generated shock waves in the therapy of tennis elbow and calcaneal heel spur concluded 88 percent of patients assessed their therapy as “very good” or “good after treatment. In a follow up survey 12 months after their last treatment, 95% of the tennis elbow, and 94% of the heel spur responded that they were still very satisfied with their results.
Radial shock wave therapy is a series of high-energy percussions to the affected area. The shockwave is a physical shock, not an electrical one.
FAQ
What are the benefits of shockwave (radial shockwave = RSW).
The major benefits of shockwave are pain reduction, increased metabolism, revascularization, and reduced muscle tone
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to painful spots and myoskeletal tissues with subacute, subchronic and chronic conditions. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues. A more accurate term is ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) or RPW (radial pressure wave)
Is shockwave therapy painful?
There may be a slight feeling of discomfort during the treatment, depending on the level of pain the patient is already experiencing in the area. However, since the treatment lasts only about five minutes, most patients are able to tolerate this discomfort. At Physioactive, we use the most up-to-date protocols using more doses starting lower and increasing during each session. This significantly reduces the pain during treatment. What is most amazing is that your pain is usually almost completely gone after the treatment.
How long does shockwave treatment take to work?
You will feel pain relief immediately. However, ESWT can produce some temporary soreness the next day as the healing begins.
How is shockwave therapy good for?
We recommend 5 weekly sessions of shockwave. The benefits begin immediately and continue to occur 6 months to 1 year after the course of treatment. There is growing evidence to use shockwave for more acute conditions and pain reduction
Is shockwave therapy safe for everyone?
No. Shockwave is very powerful and clients must be assessed on an individual basis to determine safety and appropriateness. Shockwave should not be performed over lung tissue or over the pregnant belly.
How often can you have shockwave therapy?
Most indications require 3–5 treatments which are done 3–10 days apart, depending on the patient’s tolerance and their tissue response.
Does shockwave therapy break up scar tissues?
Yes. Shockwave was designed and is most effective in treating chronically scarred tissue. By increasing circulation and breaking down scar tissue, shockwave therapy will stimulate cell regeneration and promote normal healing and rapid reduction of pain.
Can you exercise after shockwave therapy?
Yes, and you should. All the literature points to more successful outcomes when shockwave is part of a physiotherapy program including stretching and strengthening. Care must be taken in the first 24 -48 hours post-treatment.
Is shockwave therapy effective?
Most patients with chronic pain problems have been through various unsuccessful types of treatments. Up to 80% of those same patients worldwide report that Shockwave therapy has helped them eliminate their problem. Chronic plantar fasciitis, knee, ankle, and elbow tendon problems are the most common.
