A Kelowna clinician at Glenmore Chiropractic is proving shockwave therapy is useful not only for acute pain, but also for chronic conditions. Dr. Ryan Harris has been utilizing this modality for 12 years and, currently, treats around 100 patients each year using shockwave therapy.
While originally developed in the 1980s as a non-invasive method for breaking up kidney stones, shockwave therapy has since grown in popularity to treat a host of conditions. This modality is now a go-to resource for clinicians looking to offer effective treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
For Harris, the benefits are more than skin deep. In fact, while most therapies target acute injuries and promote healing, shockwave therapy can target both acute injuries and chronic injuries. This non-invasive, low-risk treatment works by using acoustic sound waves to target a specific area, reaching deep into injured muscle, tendon, and bone. The shockwaves then accelerate the healing process, enhancing blood circulation to damaged tissues, and stimulating the cells that heal connective tissues while stimulating the metabolism. Shockwave therapy can be especially useful for issues relating to scar tissue-a leading factor in chronic pain.
At Glenmore Chiropractic, clinicians implement this modality on a variety of injuries, including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, jumper’s knee, and rotator cuff injuries. Harris and his team use this technology on every part of the body, except the abdomen and chest.
Chronic pain affects nearly 8 million Canadians. Traditional treatments often only address acute symptoms, leaving patients with chronic or recurring pain. But, by treating the underlying issue and promoting healing at the cellular level, shockwave therapy can greatly reduce both acute pain and the underlying cause of this pain.
Clinical studies have proven the efficacy of shockwave therapy in treating chronic conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, and improving patient care. According to Harris, anyone suffering from chronic pain could likely benefit from shockwave therapy.
“When you’re using a lot of other therapies that are designed to reduce symptoms, it’s temporary – it’s not addressing the root cause,” Harris explained. “There’s very little out there to treat chronic injuries, which is where shockwave therapy comes in. It addresses the origin, and it addresses the cause.”
Harris began his career being trained by one of the leading shockwave therapists in Canada. Since then, he has undertaken more than 36,000 treatments throughout his career. Currently, in Kelowna, Harris treats more than 100 patients each week with shockwave therapy.
Clearly, there is a need to for effective-long-term solutions for chronic pain. Clinics like Glenmore Chiropractic are cleverly carving out a niche market for themselves while restoring quality of life to many patients and improving patient care.
Shockwave therapy is a compelling option for many sufferers of chronic pain. Not only is it non-invasive and efficient, but it is also effective for treating chronic pain. For clinicians such as Harris, and others like him, the value of introducing shockwave therapy into their practice has untold benefits-both short and long-term.
For more information about shockwave therapy, or for inquiries related to purchasing a Storz Shockwave Therapy Machine, please visit: shockwavecanada.com.
