Physiotherapists, you might be surprised to learn about the wide variety of conditions treatable by shockwave therapy. Just as this technology can help a large swathe of the population, from athletes to non-athletes, so too can it help resolve chronic conditions and acute pain, from plantar fasciitis to hamstring injuries. This treatment will elevate your quality of patient care while improving your competitiveness as a clinician.
Shockwave therapy heals a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. This is an intervention that stimulates the body’s natural healing process using acoustic shock waves that are sent into the affected bones or soft tissues to facilitate recovery on a cellular level. This helps to:
- Form new blood vessels and, consequently, improve the blood supply and oxygenation of the affected area.
- Boost collagen production which, in turn, strengthens the tendons and ligaments by creating a firmer structure.
- Clear up the calcification from the affected area to reduce pain and restore function.
There are two types of shockwave therapy-radial shockwave therapy and focused shockwave therapy. The application of each of these is dependent upon the injury or condition being treated. Radial shockwave therapy is the most common type of shockwave therapy and is used in treating musculoskeletal conditions. Radial shockwaves are better for a larger treatment area of superficial indications. This is the ideal treatment for when the targeted tissue is superficial, such as with plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, or the Achilles tendon.
Comparatively, focused shockwave therapy is becoming the preferred treatment method for more acute cases that require a higher degree of precision. This type of shockwave therapy can penetrate deeper into the tissue than radial shockwaves, enabling it to target specific areas with more precision. This ability renders focused shockwave therapy the ideal choice for treating tissue close to the bone, calcifications, and non-unions.
There is a growing list of what can be treated by shockwave therapy. This includes:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Jumper’s knee
- Hamstring tendinopathy
- Back pain
- Calcific rotator cuff tendinitis
- Trigger points
- Frozen shoulder
- Avascular necrosis of femoral head
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Calcific tendonitis
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Spasticity of spinal and supraspinal origin (stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy)
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, effective method of treatment for a host of issues, from acute pain to chronic conditions. Known to be more effective and long-lasting than several conservative treatments, shockwave therapy also has the added benefit of allowing your patients to resume their quality of life with little to no down time. And with 11 million Canadians experiencing musculoskeletal disorders each year, providing shockwave therapy in your clinic enhances your ability to care for a greater client base.
For more information about shockwave therapy, or for inquiries related to purchasing a Storz Shockwave Therapy Machine, please visit: shockwavecanada.com.
