What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a type of treatment that causes your body to accelerate the healing process. It is effective even in situations where your body has not been able to heal itself on its own. It speeds up the healing process by stimulating metabolism and enhancing circulation of the blood to regenerate damaged tissues. Very strong energy pulses are applied to the injured tissue. These pulses creates micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles penetrates the tissue and stimulates cells in the body responsible for bone and connective tissue healing and accelerates recovery.
Treatable Conditions:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Heel Spurs
- Treatment of Tendonitis
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Hallux Rigidous
- Non-Healing Ulcers
- Tendonitis
- Scar Tissue
- Non-Unions
- Shin Splints
- Stress Fractures
- Enhancing Bone Healing
Success Rates
Success rates reported by Shockwave Canada
- Up to 91% Improvement with Calcific Tendonitis
- Up to 90% Improvement with Plantar Fasciitis
- Up to 83% Improvement with Achilles Tendonitis
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
- Up to 91% Success Rate (as per clinical studies)
- Non-invasive
- No anesthesia required
- No risk of infection
- No scarring
- No downtime
- Over 80% patient satisfaction
- Cost effective
- Faster, easier healing
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why consider getting Shockwave Treatment?
A: Shockwave has a proven success rate that can be as effective as or more effective than other methods such as surgery or pharmaceuticals without the risks, complications or long recovery times. Shockwave treatments are non-invasive and promote accelerated recovery.
- Non-surgical
- Performed in a practitioner’s office/clinic
- Does not require anesthesia
- No side effects
- Effective and Affordable
Q: Who is a candidate for Shockwave?
A: Most people are good candidates for Shockwave treatment however patients who are pregnant, have a pacemaker or current cancer are not suitable for treatment with Shockwave Technology. Your doctor will provide you with information about conditions you may have that would affect your ability to undergo treatment.
Q: What are the possible side effects?
A: Treatment with Shockwave technology has virtually no side effects. In some cases, patients may experience minor discomfort for a few days. Patients can return to work after treatments and in most all cases there is no down time
Q: What type of results are expected?
A: Beneficial effects are often experienced after only 1 or 2 treatments and there is no downtime. Many patients report immediate pain relief after treatment. The technology has a 91% success rate as per clinical studies, patients treated report being pain free and /or have a significant reduction in pain. The non-surgical therapy for pain eliminates pain and restores mobility, thus improving patient’s quality of life
Q: How many treatments are generally needed?
A: The number of sessions needed depends on the condition that is being treated. Each treatment session takes between 10-15 minutes and can vary depending on the condition that is being treated.
Q: How is the treatment performed?
A: Shockwave treatment is noninvasive. Gel is applied to the treatment area; shockwaves are then released through the applicator as it is moved over the treatment area.
Q: What type of conditions can be treated with Shockwave Technology?
Shockwave treatment can successfully address acute and chronic pain such as : Knee Pain , Heel Pain , Foot Pain, Ankle Pain, Hamstring Pain, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain , Elbow Pain, Wrist Pain and Hand Pain. It is used to provide trigger point therapy, address sports injuries, scar tissue, stress fractures, enhance bone healing, sexual function such as Erectile Dysfunction and much more.
Q: What is Shockwave Technology?
A: Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive modern and highly effective treatment method: high-energy sound waves are introduced into the painful areas of the body. Shockwave technology accelerates the healing process in the body by stimulating the metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to regenerate damaged tissue. Strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area. These pulses occur for short periods of time, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles penetrates tissue and stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing.
Scientific Evidence and Case Studies
Plantar Fasciitus
Foot and Ankle International – ESWT for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
By: George Theodore, M.D., Matthias Buch, M.D., Annunziato Amendola, M.D., F.R.C.D., Christine Bachmann, M.D., Lamar L. Fleming, M.D., Chistopher Zingas, M.D.
Study #2 – Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Low Energy Extracorporeal Pulse- Activated Therapy (EPAT) for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
By: Robert Gordon, MD; Charles Wong, BHSc; Eric J. Crawford, BHSc Toronto, Canada
Clinically Relevant Effectiveness of Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis. A Randomized, Controlled Multicenter Study
By: Hans Gollwitzer, MD, Amol Saxena, DPM, Lawrence A. DiDomenico, DPM, Louis Galli, DPM, Richard T. Bouche, DPM, David S. Caminear, DPM, Brian Fullem, DPM, Johannes C. Vester, ́Carsten Horn, MD, Ingo J. Banke, MD, Rainer Burgkart, MD, and Ludger Gerdesmeyer, MD
Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Is Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Chronic Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis
By: Ludger Gerdesmeyer, MD, PhD, Carol Frey, MD, Johannes Vester, PhD, Markus Maier, PhD, Lowell Weil Jr, DPM, Lowell Weil Sr, DPM, Martin Russlies, PhD, John Stienstra, DPM, Barry Scurran, DP, Keith Fedder, MD, Peter Diehl, MD, Heinz Lohrer, MD, Mark Henne, MD, and Hans Gollwitzer, MD
Achilles Tendonitis
The American Journal of Sports Medicine – High-Energy Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy as a Treatment for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
By: John Patrick Furia, M.D.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine – Eccentric Loading, Shock-Wave Treatment, or a Wait-and-See Policy for Tendinophathy of the Main Body of Tendo Achillis
By: Jan D. Rompe, M.D., Bernhard Nafe, M.D., John P. Furia, M.D. Ph.D., and Nicola Maffulli, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.S.(Orth)
Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery – Shock Wave Therapy for Treatment of Foot and Ankle Conditions
By: Alastair Younger, MB, ChB, FRCSC