Shockwave Therapy Edmonton

Discover the Power of Shockwave Therapy for Healing

Discover the Power of Shockwave Therapy for Healing

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Shockwave Therapy Edmonton

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive procedure that is becoming increasingly common in Edmonton. Also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), this procedure uses high-energy acoustic waves to penetrate soft tissues non-surgically, target damaged areas, stimulate new blood vessel growth, and promote regeneration in bones, tendons, and ligaments. Shockwave has emerged as one of the only treatments reliably healing tendon-to-bone or ligament-to-bone junction injuries. You can even use it before and after sporting events. With Shockwave Therapy near you, you never have to worry about muscle spasms.

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Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Treat

Musculoskeletal Conditions
Plantar Fasciitis

Fights inflammation and loosens up adhesions in the plantar fascia to ease heel pain.

Tendinopathies

For chronic inflammation and degeneration in tendons, for example, rotator cuff injuries or tennis elbow.

Bone and Stress Fractures

Accelerates bone repair from injuries and decreases time in rehabilitation.

Knee and Joint Arthritis / Medial Knee OA

Relieves pain in arthritic joints and improves movement.

Insertional Achilles Pain & Tibialis Posterior Tendon Syndrome

Targets specific tendon areas for pain reduction and improved function.

Morton’s neuroma

Reduces pain and inflammation and helps improve blood flow and healing in the affected nerve.

Epicondylitis

It promotes healing of the damaged tendons and reduces pain and stiffness, improving arm function.

Pelvic and Urological Concerns

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Aids in relaxation and healing within the pelvic region.

Erectile dysfunction

It stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the penile tissue.

Peyronie’s Disease

Treats scarring and softens affected area for increased comfort and function.

Dermatological and Wound Healing

Wound Healing

Improves blood flow and cell regeneration to promote healing of chronic wounds.

Aesthetic Indications

Effective to increase skin texture in specific areas and give more flexibility.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy in Edmonton

  • Short-term pain reduction (analgesic effect)
  • Long-term pain reduction (tissue healing process & pain memory)
  • Reduction of muscle tension & relaxation
  • Reduction of calcifications (long-term)
  • Better range of motion
  • Strengthening of connective tissue
  • Cell regeneration process
Focused Shockwave Therapy Equipment Holding On Hands
How the Healing Power of Shockwave Therapy Works

The shockwave used in this therapy exerts a mechanical pressure and tension force on the afflicted tissue.

  • This creates an increase in cell membrane permeability.
  • Results in increased microscopic circulation and
    metabolism within the tissues.
  • Promotes healing and subsequent dissolution of
    pathological calcific deposits.

ESWT also diminishes pain in three ways.

  • First, through hyperstimulation anesthesia — The nerves sending pain signals to the brain become over-stimulated, diminishing activity, thus decreasing or eliminating pain. This effect is usually (but not always) short-lived.
  • Secondly, ESWT reduces pain over an extended period by stimulating the gate-control mechanism.
  • Thirdly, ESWT is believed to activate a “reset” button that recalibrates pain perception centrally.
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Focused Shockwave Therapy Equipment Holding On Hands

What Happens at a Typical Shockwave Therapy

At In Step Physical Therapy, Edmonton, our registered Physiotherapist will first analyze your situation and assess the suitability of Shockwave Therapy to your condition.

A typical treatment session will last between 3 and 5 minutes. It is common to experience mild discomfort during the treatment. However, you can always let the physiotherapist know, and they will adjust the intensity to suit your comfort levels. Ideally, you should feel better in 2-4 sessions. Sometimes, you may need more sessions to experience a cumulative effect of the treatment.

You can easily avail of Shockwave Therapy in Edmonton at In Step Physical Therapy, as it is covered by most health insurance plans today.

Radial Vs. Focused Shockwave Therapy

Aspect Radial Shockwave Therapy Focused Shockwave Therapy
Type of Wave
Radial waves spread outward in a broad, diffused pattern.
Focused waves are concentrated at a specific point.
Target Area
Larger treatment area, less specific.
Precisely targets small, specific areas.
Mechanism
Mechanical radial waves are generated pneumatically.
Acoustic waves are generated electromagnetically or piezoelectrically.
Indications
Effective for superficial conditions like muscle tension, chronic soft tissue pain, and tendinopathies.
Effective for deeper conditions like calcific tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and bone healing.
Intensity
Mild to moderate intensity, well-tolerated by most patients.
High intensity
Treatment Duration
Typically, shorter sessions.
Can require longer, more intensive sessions.
Preferred Use Cases
Broad tissue relaxation, mild musculoskeletal issues.
Targeted therapy for chronic or deep-seated conditions.

What Makes Focused Shockwave Therapy Unique?

Focused shockwave therapy differs from other types of ESWT shockwave therapy in that it delivers sound waves that are concentrated at a specific depth, reaching the precise site of injury or dysfunction. This focused energy helps to repair cells, stimulates blood flow and increases tissue regeneration.

Key features of focused shockwave therapy include:

Precise Targeting

Delivers energy directly to deeper tissues for targeted relief.

Versatility

Suitable for a broad range of conditions, from musculoskeletal issues to urological and dermatological concerns.

Non-Invasive Approach

Offers a solution without the need for surgery or extensive recovery periods.

Promotes Cellular Repair

The acoustic waves delivered during the therapy stimulate cellular activity at the treatment site. This includes the activation of fibroblasts, which are essential for collagen production and tissue repair, as well as increased angiogenesis and the formation of new blood vessels. These cellular responses are critical for regenerative repair of injured bone, tendon and other tissues.

Stimulates Blood Flow

It has the ability to enhance vascular health. By inducing angiogenesis, this therapy improves blood flow to damaged tissues, accelerating recovery and reducing chronic pain.

Precision for Sensitive Areas

It can be applied to very small, delicate body parts or within a specific anatomical structure with minimal discomfort.

Research & Studies Backing Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy has emerged as a rapidly spreading health innovation that is filling a much-needed gap in the world of injury repair, and as always, In Step Physical Therapy is there to educate and heal clients with the latest research.

  • Close to 3000+ scientific publications on Shockwave Therapy have been published.
  • It has been well-accepted among many Research Scientists
  • It’s an FDA-approved method.
  • Plenty of international ESWT conferences are held annually.
Shockwave Therapy Edmonton

Success Rates

  • The success rate ranges from 60% to 80% in epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, cuff tendinitis, Trochanteritis, Achilles tendinitis, or jumper’s knee.
  • Recent studies have demonstrated the modulations of shockwave treatment – including neovascularization, differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, and local release of angiogenetic factors.
  • The experimental findings confirm that Shockwave Therapy decreases the expression of high inflammatory mediators (matrix metalloproteinases and interleukins).
  • Therefore, Shockwave Therapy produces a regenerative and tissue-repairing effect in musculoskeletal tissues.