What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive/non-surgical therapy that uses high level acoustic energy waves.
We are able transmit them into the body without damaging the tissue that the waves pass though on their way to the target area.
This treatment will trigger a series of natural healing and regenerative effects.
AIRPWT™ SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Our Shockwave Therapists have been trained and certified in the Active Integrated Radial Pressure Wave Therapy™ (AIRPWT™) using the latest technology available. This non-invasive medical treatment is ideal for patients with chronic orthopaedic conditions as well as those in urgent need of pain relief or requiring accelerated rehabilitation from injury or surgery.
Shockwave therapy creates a micro trauma which initiates the bodies ability to create new blood vessels and new nerve tissues. It breaks apart existing scar tissue, muscle adhesions and calcifications from the treatment site and signals stem cells to repair and replace damaged cells, while decreasing inflammation and increasing circulation and cellular metabolism. Within this healthier environment, Shockwave therapy stimulates the repair of ligaments, tendons, and even bones.
What can Shockwave Therapy help?
Scar Tissue
The formation of scar tissue is part of your normal healing process and occurs whenever our body’s tissue is damaged. You can easily see scars but they also form internally if you have surgery or an injury to your muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
This scar tissue is not as functional as the tissue that it replaces. Normal tissue in the body has a consistent, smooth form and our healthy skeletal muscle tissue is formed of collagen that sits lined up parallel to one another smoothly. This allows for normal contraction and flexibility. Scar tissue is solid and doesn't allow blood or fluids to flow through it.
The acoustic waves of Shockwave therapy break up this scar tissue and allows for new blood vessels to be formed, the tissue to re-heal with a stronger, more flexible, and organized form, which leads to restored normal mobility.
Shockwave Therapy can help resolve:
- recent injury
- post-surgical recovery
- C-section scars
Plantar Fasciitis / Foot Pain
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by inflammation and dysfunction of the foot. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue from your heel bone to the base of your toes. It supports the arch of the foot and absorbs shock when walking.
Tension and stress on the fascia can cause small tears. Repeated stretching and tearing of the facia can irritate or inflame it. Where the fascia attaches to the heel, it will rub the heal bone creating a callus/bone spur on the heel bone.
98% efficacy rate for non-recurrence of plantar fasciitis using the AIRPWT™ Shockwave therapy method.
Shockwave therapy helps with:
- plantar fasciitis
- bone/heel spurs
Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy (commonly referred to as Tendonitis) is one of the most common repetitive strain injuries we treat with Shockwave therapy.
Shockwave helps reduce inflammation by increasing circulation and restoring the muscles natural range of motion. It works with the muscles, as well as the tendons. Using the AIRPWT™ technique we see quicker resolution and with the restoration of muscle function a decrease in recurrence.
Most commonly treated are:
- golfers' elbow
- tennis elbow
- jumpers knee
- carpal tunnel
- hockey hip
Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD)
Orthodontic work, violent trauma, clenching/grinding teeth and arthritis are the most common causes for TMJ dysfunction.
Shockwave can help restore normal function the muscles and ease the muscle & fascial tension.
Using Shockwave therapy for TMJ helps relieve:
- headaches
- migraine
- jaw & neck pain
What to expect?
Is it electrical shocks? or an ultrasound?
Is it electrical shocks? or an ultrasound?
Is it electrical shocks? or an ultrasound?
As mentioned above, shockwave therapy is using a soundwave, not an electrical shock system. Shock waves are similar to ultrasound but have substantially higher pressure waves.
The soundwave is generated by a concussive projectile in the barrel of the handpiece, as it strikes the transmitter head, the shockwave comes out the focused tip.
Will it hurt?
Is it electrical shocks? or an ultrasound?
Is it electrical shocks? or an ultrasound?
You may experience mild discomfort during your treatment, depending on what is being worked on.
You may also experience sore/achiness to the area and possibly bruising or petechiae. This will dissipate over the next few days.
When will it feel better?
When will it feel better?
When will it feel better?
You may feel relief immediately during treatment, better mobility or release.
It takes 72-hours for Shockwave Therapy to take real effect. After 5 days you should feel back to normal, or better!
When can you come back?
When will it feel better?
When will it feel better?
This will depend greatly on what part you've had worked on and how your body reacts to the treatment.
We typically suggest booking your follow up for 7 days after most treatments, for knees we'd suggest two weeks between treatments.
What can you do?
Hydrate!
Can I take pain killers?
Can I take pain killers?
Before and after your appointment, be sure to drink as much water as you can.
Add electrolytes for even better results.
Can I take pain killers?
Can I take pain killers?
Can I take pain killers?
Taking pain killers on the day of your appointment will interfere with the effectiveness of your treatment and can hinder true results.
If you have received a cortisone injection within six (6) weeks prior to your appointment, we will need to reschedule your treatment to a later date.
Relax & soak
Relax & soak
Relax & soak
Have a good soak in a hot bath with epsom salts, or in a hot tub... if you can't do those, just cuddle with a heating pad.
Stay Active!
Relax & soak
Relax & soak
We encourage you to keep moving. Your therapist will advise what activities or stretches to do to enhance your recovery.
Shockwave Therapy Testimonials
Research Resources
Patrick Weninger, Christoph Thallinger, Manuel Chytilek, Yannis Hanel, Caterina Steffel, Ramin Karimi, Xaver Feichtinger.
J Clin Med. 2023 May 9;12(10):3350. doi: 10.3390/jcm12103350.
PMID: 37240456
Parisa Taheri, Najmeh Salek, Maryam Mousavi, Razieh Maghroori.
Adv Biomed Res. 2022; 11: 3. Published online 2022 Jan 31. doi: 10.4103/abr.abr_155_21
PMID: 35284349
Effects of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the skin: an experimental study
Thayná Melo de Lima Morais, Patrícia Froes Meyer, Liliane Santos de Vasconcellos, Julio Costa E Silva, Ito Ferreira E Andrade, Vinicius Alves Freire de Farias, Igor Candido da Silva, Roberta Marinho Falcão Gondim Araújo, Rodrigo Marcel Valentim da Silva, Esteban Fortuny Pacheco, Ciro Dantas Soares.
Lasers Med Sci.2019 Mar;34(2):389-396. doi: 10.1007/s10103-018-2612-8. Epub 2018 Aug 14.
PMID: 30109536
The effect of radial shockwave on the median nerve pathway in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial
Habibzadeh, A., Mousavi-Khatir R., Saadat P., Javadian Y.
J Orthop Surg Res. 2022 Jan 25;17(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s13018-022-02941-9.
PMID: 35078486
Lu CC., Chou SH., Shen PC., Chou PH., Ho ML., Tien YC.
Bone Joint Res. 2020 Aug 11. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.98.BJR-2019-0365.R1. eCollection 2020 Aug.
PMID: 32832074
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Treating Foot Ulcers in Adults with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Huang Q., Peijing Y., Xiong H., Shuai T., Liu J., Zhu L., Lu J., Shi X., Yang K., Liu J.
Can J Diabetes. 2020 Mar;44(2):196-204.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2019.05.006. Epub 2019 May 23.
PMID: 31515158
Shock Waves as a Treatment Modality for Spasticity Reduction and Recovery Improvement in Post-Stoke Adults - Current Evidence and Qualitative Systematic Review
Dymarek R., Ptaszkowski K., Ptaszkowska L., Kowal M., Sopel M., Taradaj J., Rosińczuk J.
Clin Interv Aging. 2020 Jan 6;15:9-28. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S221032. eCollection 2020.
© 2020 Dymarek et al.
PMID: 32021129
Mario Vetrano1, Danilo Ranieri, Monica Nanni, Antonio Pavan2 Florence Malisa, Maria Chiara Vulpiani, Vincenzo Visco.
PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218740 June 28, 2019
PMID: 31251756
Xiong Y, Xue H, Zhou W, Sun Y, Liu Y, Wu Q, Liu J, Hu L, Panayi AC, Chen L, Yan C, Mi B, Liu G.
Phys Sportsmed. 2019 Apr 5:1-6. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2019.1599587.
PMID: 30951399
Yongjie Lin, Guowei Wang, Bingchen Wang.
Lin et al. Medicine (2018) 97:51
PMID: 30572548 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Accelerates Regeneration After Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury
Zissler, A; Steinbacher, P; Zimmermann, R; Pittner, S; Stoiber, W; Bathke, AC; Sänger, AM.
Am J Sports Med. 2017 Mar;45(3):676-684.
PMID: 27729321 [PubMed - in process]
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Improves Functional Outcomes of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder in Patients with Diabetes
Santoboni, F; Balducci, S; D'Errico, V; Haxhi, J; Vetrano, M; Piccinini, G; Ferretti, A; Pugliese, G; Vulpiani, MC.
Diabetes Care. 2017 Feb;40(2):e12-e13.
PMID: 27899492 [PubMed - in process]