Shock Wave Therapy

Understanding Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy was used in orthopedics for at least 20 years. Just like the name itself suggests, extra corporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) means outside of the body. This is not invasive, very effective treatment for painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis or a heel spur.

There is a number of shock wave machines which produce very different results. There are 2 major types:

1. A true shock wave therapy machine, which produces very intense, concentrated, focused shockwave and is used for things like destruction of kidney stones without surgical intervention. These machines are used in the hospitals and we will not talk about them here.

2. Shock wave therapy machines which produce much milder radially dispersed impact wave which is a lot better tolerated. In fact this is not a true shock wave it should be called a radial sound wave or a Radial Shock Wave. For the purposes of this article will use term Radial Shock Wave Therapy (RSWT).

The Radial Shock Wave is generated by pneumatically or electromagnetically propelled ballistic projectile which is suddenly stopped against the stop plate.
This all happens in a headpiece which is held against a treated part off the body where impact wave is causing controlled impact on the tissues.

Some positive results are:

1. Increased local metabolism.

2. Increased cell activity.

3. Stimulates new blood vessels formation.

4. Pain reducing anaesthetic effect.

Series of three or four treatments are the most accepted approach. Usually every 7 to 10 days apart. Sound waves are delivered to the affected area where they stimulate body’s own natural healing response. RSWT is delivered in the office settings. It doe not require local anesthetics. It takes about 5 minutes to deliver 2000 pulses, this is the most usually recommended scenario. There is no residual pain afterwards, patients are able to return to their daily activity immediately.

​If you suffered from my heel pain or plantar fasciitis for longer than a few months and the most conventional treatments, for example, custom orthotics or Ultrasound or Low-Dye taping combined with cold laser therapy or cortisone injection did not produce acceptable results, you may be a candidate for a Radial Soundwave Therapy. A consultation and examination at our Ancaster Foot Clinic or “The One” Foot Clinic in Stoney Creek would help determine the best option.

RSWT is effective against plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis / tendinosis, enthesopathy, osteoarthritis and other painful conditions of the foot. When combined with Cold Laser Treatment the healing times are further reduced. Cold Laser treatment can be applied at the same appointment right after shock wave treatment and also can be used every 2 to 3 days.

Radial Shock Wave Therapy is NOT recommend for pregnant women also for patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, subjects to prolonged bleeding, people with pacemakers.

Chiropodist’s treatments are not covered under OHIP. Please consult your third party insurance provider, as it may cover all or part of the cost of the treatments. During your consultation all fees can be discussed.