Shockwave – not the best name for such a helpful tool in the rehab field. Just by the name, one might expect to be “shocked” with electricity and assume the treatment will be painful. But we’re here to tell you that’s not the case.
Shockwave therapy offers a highly effective, non-invasive, and long-lasting solution for pain relief — all without side effects — especially for those dealing with persistent pain that just won’t go away.
Radial Shockwave Therapy has been gaining more and more attention in the rehabilitation world for its proven ability to support healing in a variety of chronic conditions (defined as pain lasting more than 6 weeks). These include tendinopathies (degeneration of tendon connective tissue), calcifications, and chronic muscle tension.
At our clinic, some of the most common conditions we treat with shockwave include:
- Golfer’s/Tennis Elbow – for our tennis, golf, and pickleball players or anyone who does a lot of gripping and holding (snow shoveling, for example)
- Achilles Tendinopathies – for runners, jumpers, and skiers
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathies
- Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Spurs – for all our active warriors
Sound familiar?
So, if it’s not electrical, how does it work?
The shockwave machine generates energy internally and transmits it through the layers of skin and tissue to the site of pain. At that site, several beneficial changes begin to take place:
- Pain modulation
- Increased blood flow (which promotes muscle relaxation and delivers healing substances)
- Breakdown of damaged tissue
- Regeneration of healthy tissue
Essentially, we’re jump-starting the healing process by reinitiating controlled inflammation, helping the tissue heal properly instead of remaining in a chronically inflamed state.
While the treatment can be a bit uncomfortable and the machine may be noisy, it should not be painful. We always work within your comfort level and adjust settings to ensure the treatment is both safe and effective.
Shockwave therapy is typically administered once a week for 3–5 sessions, with the goal of reducing pain by the final treatment. In the weeks that follow, your body continues to heal on its own. Paired with a personalized home exercise program, the affected tissue becomes stronger — reducing your chances of re-injury.
Ready to be shocked — in a good way?
Contact us today to see if shockwave therapy is right for you and book a session with one of our trained professionals.