When it comes to the benefits of shockwave therapy it is clear this is a proven, effective form of treatment supported by a wealth of medical literature. Does your clinic treat athletes? From tennis injuries to injuries sustained on the ice, your clients would benefit from this standard of care. In fact, shockwave therapy produces a 91% improvement and an 84% success rate according to randomized, double-blind trials.

It’s no secret that injury is a constant risk for athletes. The more competitive the athlete, the greater the risk. In fact, with varying degrees of severity, an average 1.2 million Canadians are affected by sports injuries each year.

Injuries that can be treated with shockwave therapy include:

  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • “Bursitis” or tendinopathy in the hip
  • Stress fracture
  • Fracture non-union – a broken bone that hasn’t healed
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, or shoulders
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Strained calves and hamstrings
  • Tendonitis in the foot, ankle, hip, and shoulder
  • Tennis or golfer’s elbow

While the science of shockwave therapy is clear, so too are the many testimonials from professional athletes that have been helped by this modality.

One such athlete is Crista Cullen, English Field Hockey Player. In 2012, Cullen was suffering from acute pain due to plantar fasciitis. She was also preparing for the London Olympics. After pursuing physiotherapy to no avail, Cullen decided to try shockwave therapy. Miraculously, within three weeks, she was able to resume her Olympic training.

Although Cullen confessed that her chronic foot condition is still there, the shockwave therapy has enabled her to regain her quality of life and resume her athletic pursuits.

For Cullen, the benefit of using shockwave therapy is undeniable. But there are yet more advantages for athletes, both professional and amateur. Not only can this type of therapy restore mobility and quality of life, but it can also do so within the first couple of treatments.  In fact, after only 2 or 3 treatments, over 80% of patients report a significant reduction in pain. Research also shows:

  • 90% improvement for plantar fasciitis (Journal of Orthopedic Research, 2005)
  • 91% improvement for calcific tendonitis (Journal of American Medical Association, 2003)
  • 77% improvement for tennis elbow (Journal of Orthopedics, 2005)

Other advantages of using shockwave therapy include:

  • Quick reduction in pain
  • No medication necessary
  • Non-surgical treatment
  • No risk of allergies
  • Accelerated healing
  • Effective for chronic conditions

Shockwave therapy heals by producing intense but very short acoustic waves that accelerate the healing process. These shock waves stimulate the metabolism and enhance blood circulation. This process allows damaged tissues to regenerate, and eventually, heal. This is particularly helpful for injuries that have not healed on their own. Shockwave therapy also relieves pain by producing an analgesic effect on the treatment area.

Worth noting, shockwave therapy has been approved both by Health Canada and the FDA. In fact, this modality has been in use for several decades and continues to gain popularity.

For more information about shockwave therapy, or for inquiries related to purchasing a Storz Shockwave Therapy Machine, please visit: shockwavecanada.com.