Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive procedure that creates a series of pressurized air wave pulsations applied to the skin where the injury is located. Shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s soft tissues, including muscles, tendons and connective tissue, to kick-start their natural self-healing process, and it can be very effective in treating subacute, subchronic and chronic conditions, as well as recurrent or unresolved injuries.

At Back in Motion Health, shockwave therapy is delivered by our Registered Physiotherapists as a non-surgical treatment option that, in some cases, can provide results as effective as surgery in as little as three to five sessions. It is a proven choice for people who want to heal stubborn injuries and get back to the activities they enjoy. Because it is non-invasive, shockwave therapy can also be combined with other treatments, such as physiotherapy and targeted exercise, as part of a complete recovery plan. Contact us to book a shockwave therapy appointment at a clinic near you in BC or Ontario.

Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Me?

If you are living with nagging pain that has not improved with rest or other treatments, shockwave therapy may be worth considering. It is often used to manage musculoskeletal pain and to improve function and mobility, and it can help with the kinds of concerns many of our patients describe, such as back pain, ongoing muscle pain, heel and foot pain, elbow pain, shoulder pain, knee pain and hip pain. 

Shockwave therapy is commonly used to treat conditions including:

• Plantar fasciitis (heel and arch pain)
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow (elbow tendinopathy)
• Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy)
• Calcific and rotator cuff tendinopathy (shoulder pain)
• Hip bursitis
• Trigger points and chronic myofascial pain (ongoing muscle pain)
• Hamstring strain
• Hallux rigidus (stiff, painful big toe)

Your physiotherapist will assess your condition and let you know whether shockwave therapy is the right fit for you.

If you are not sure whether your pain is a good fit, that is exactly what your first assessment is for.

When Should I Consider Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy often makes the most sense when pain has stuck around for weeks or months and has not responded well to rest, stretching or other therapies. It can be a good next step for chronic or recurring soft-tissue and tendon problems, or when you are looking for a non-surgical way to move your recovery forward. Because it works by stimulating your body’s own healing response, it is frequently recommended for stubborn conditions that have been slow to improve. It can also be a helpful option if you would like to avoid or delay surgery, or if you have already tried approaches like rest, bracing or stretching without lasting relief.

Shockwave therapy is not the right choice for everyone. It is not recommended if you have open wounds, cancer, an infection, a circulatory disorder or a nerve disorder in the area to be treated, if you are pregnant, or if you are taking blood-thinning medications. During your assessment, your physiotherapist will review your health history to make sure shockwave therapy is a safe option for you.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy offers several advantages for people dealing with stubborn, ongoing pain:

• Non-invasive, with no need for surgery
• Limited and mild side effects
• An effective option for chronic conditions that have not responded well to other therapies
• Relieves pain
• Increases function and mobility
• Enhanced quality of life for people living with chronic pain
• Typically no downtime, so you can usually return to your day after a session