Painful conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, jumper’s knee or rotator cuff tendinitis, can erode your quality of life. In some cases, surgery might seem necessary, but shockwave therapy presents a viable alternative. Many scientific studies have demonstrated its value for relieving pain and regenerating soft tissue and tendons. These positive findings have made shockwave therapy a sought-after treatment in Canada.
The procedure sends targeted waves of acoustic energy into the injured area. The shockwaves are designed to disrupt abnormal tissue such as internal scarring and/or calcification, and promote the growth of small blood vessels. This improves blood flow to injured areas and helps damaged tissue regenerate. Patients typically experience pain reduction and improved mobility over the course of 2-3 sessions. Evidence of Success The results of a level 1A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine showed the efficacy of shockwave therapy for calcific tendonitis that had resisted other treatments. At one year after shockwave therapy, 84 percent of subjects achieved significant pain reduction and improved quality of life.
Another study published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery concluded that shockwave therapy reduced calcification by 70 percent in people with calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy. The patients’ pain scores dropped, and their joint function improved. The American Journal of Sports Medicine reported relief of Achilles tendinopathy among 75 percent of study subjects when used along with therapeutic exercises. Another study in the same journal about professional athletes with tendinopathy or chronic proximal hamstring found that shockwave therapy surpassed other therapies by a factor of eight.
Shockwave therapy has been continually shown to be a safe treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions like:
- Frozen shoulder
- Whiplash
- Tennis elbow
- Rotator cuff tendinitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Sub-acute muscle strains/tears
- Scar tissue/trigger points
- Patellar tendinitis
This treatment is normally used in conjunction with other therapies as recommended by a qualified clinician. Although many patients report relief after the first treatment, three treatments is the established protocol to maximize the potential of recovery. The growth of new blood vessels to nourish the damaged tissues takes weeks or months, but pain reduction normally occurs much sooner. If your plantar fasciitis, back pain, shoulder pain, or other repetitive stress injuries from work or athletics have not responded to rest, massage, or physical therapy, shockwave therapy could be the next step. To learn if you are a good candidate for this rapidly advancing form of soft-tissue treatment, contact PainPro to discuss treatment options.
