The Canadian Chiropractic Association estimates that over 11 million Canadians suffer from an injury or disorder impacting their mobility, with one in eight reporting chronic back pain and almost one-third saying their back pain limits activity. Moreover, 40 per cent of all work absences are a result of back pain, the second leading cause of missing work behind the common cold. Back pain can impact a person’s mobility and even mental health. So, it’s no surprise that physiotherapists treat a lot of back pain issues.

Back pain can be caused by several issues including muscle or ligament strain from repetitive awkward movements and heavy lifting, bulging or ruptured disks, arthritis, and osteoporosis.

Risk factors include:

  • Age
  • Poor physical fitness
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Improper lifting
  • And more

To prevent back pain, people can exercise, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and lift heavy objects with proper form.

Physiotherapy for Back Pain

A doctor will often refer patients to see a physiotherapist if a back pain episode doesn’t improve after a few weeks of self-care and rest. Physiotherapists use conservative treatment options such as heat, cold, and electrical stimulation with exercises and stretches. However, if these aren’t successful, surgery may be considered.

Shockwave therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment option for physiotherapists to use on patients with back pain. During treatment, a physiotherapist uses a shockwave device to deliver acoustic pressure waves to the affected area, which accelerates the body’s natural healing process in the body by stimulating metabolism and circulation.

A study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science measured the effectiveness of shockwave therapy for treating patients with chronic low back pain. Researchers divided a group of thirty patients into two groups. One group received shockwave therapy along with conservative physical therapy. The second group only received physical therapy.

To measure results, researchers used a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression. After two weekly treatment sessions for six weeks, researchers noted significant improvements in all three categories for both groups. However, improvements in the shockwave group were greater.

In conclusion, shockwave therapy is a powerful tool for physiotherapists to upgrade their back pain treatment plan, delivering greater results to their patients.

Best-in-Class Technology

Storz has been a pioneer in shockwave therapy for over thirty years, and Shockwave Canada is the exclusive distributor of Storz shockwave technology in the country. Our practitioners will provide you with 24/7 support when treating back pain along with other conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, and more.

To learn how you can leverage this technology in your practice call 1 (888) 741-SHOC(7462) or visit our website.