At Parkway Physiotherapy and Performance Centre we will be publishing a series of papers on the use of Shockwave therapy to help heal a variety on conditions that we see in the clinic every day.
What is Shockwave therapy?
Shockwave is a type of treatment that directs pressure waves into an injured area in order to stimulate healing. These are high-energy waves intended to stimulate the injured area. Results are usually obtained in 2-3 sessions.
There are two types of shockwave therapy focussed or radial.
- Focussed shockwaves start wide and narrow the wave down to a tiny point. These are sometimes called destructive waves because they were (and are still) used to break down kidney stones.
- Radial waves start narrow and spread the energy outwards so that they are safer and do not require Xray guidance, yet still enjoy the therapeutic benefits.
Shockwave stimulates a healing response by releasing growth factors in the injured tissue and by stimulating blood flow and the formation of new blood vessels.
What is Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis?
Calcium deposits can build up in the muscles or tendons as a response to injury and also to degenerative changes that occur with age or overuse. Although these can occur anywhere in the body, by far we see most of these occur in the shoulder, especially the muscle/tendons of the rotator cuff. This condition can be incredibly painful and limiting.
This image below gives you an idea why it can be so troublesome.
Left – Before shockwave, type II subacromial calcification
Right – 4 weeks after the Radial Shockwave treatment showing resolution of the calcification
At Parkway Physiotherapy and Performance Centre we purchase our units from Shockwave Canada. Here is a neat link of 21 treatable conditions: https://shockwavecanada.com/radial-shockwave-therapy/
Shockwave Therapy in Langford and Sooke
At Parkway Physiotherapy and Performance Centre we offer Shockwave therapy as a treatment option and when prescribed by your chiropractor or physiotherapist, it can be claimed under most medical plans. Your therapist will use a knowledge of the anatomy of your injury and will use the shockwave machine itself to pinpoint the location of the injured tissue and even the angle of approach to the injured tissue.
Additional Notes: Shockwave is usually not a standalone treatment and the use of shockwave still requires excellent diagnosis. In our staff training we focus on finding all the root contributors to the injury that include the need for shoulder strength and conditioning exercises, involvement of the nerves of the neck (C5 and C6 in particular for shoulder problems), muscle and joint imbalances, postural problems, metabolic and general health contributors, and the potential for genetic predispositions to certain conditions.
