#shockwave

Top Ten Targets of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy has rapidly gained popularity in physiotherapy for its non-invasive and effective treatment of a whole host of conditions. By utilizing acoustic waves, shockwave therapy enhances tissue healing, reduces pain, and promotes recovery in many chronic conditions.

Wondering if shockwave is for you? Here are the top 10 conditions treated by shockwave therapy:

Top Ten Targets of Shockwave Therapy

1. Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to your toes becomes inflamed. Patients with plantar fasciitis often experience stabbing pain, particularly after periods of rest. Shockwave therapy is effective in breaking up the scar tissue and calcifications that may form in the plantar fascia, stimulating healing and reducing pain. It also promotes blood flow to the affected area, speeding up recovery and reducing inflammation.

2. Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy (aka Achilles tendinitis) is typically caused by overuse or repetitive stress. Athletes, runners, and individuals with a high level of physical activity are particularly prone to this condition. Shockwave therapy helps by promoting the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), increasing collagen production, and stimulating tissue regeneration. This allows for faster healing of the damaged tendon, while also reducing pain and inflammation.

3. Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Inflammation or degeneration of these tendons can lead to rotator cuff tendinitis, causing significant shoulder pain and restricted movement. Shockwave therapy has shown remarkable results in treating this condition by stimulating tendon repair, improving blood flow, and accelerating the regeneration of damaged tissue. It can also help break down calcific deposits in cases of calcific tendinitis.

4. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Also known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in the elbow are overloaded, often by repetitive motions. Shockwave therapy works by targeting the affected area, reducing inflammation, and promoting collagen production. This aids in the repair of damaged tissue, helping individuals return to their daily activities with reduced pain and improved functionality.

5. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Similar to tennis elbow but affecting the inner side of the elbow, golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain and tenderness due to overuse of the forearm muscles. Shockwave therapy is effective in breaking down scar tissue, promoting tissue healing, and reducing inflammation. It helps patients regain strength and mobility, making it easier to perform both daily tasks and sports activities.

6. Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)

Patellar tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, is a condition commonly seen in athletes involved in jumping sports such as basketball and volleyball. It involves the degeneration of the patellar tendon, leading to pain and limited movement in the knee. Shockwave therapy stimulates collagen production and enhances blood flow, which helps to repair the damaged tendon and reduce pain.

7. Calcific Tendinopathy

Calcific tendinopathy occurs when calcium deposits form within a tendon, most commonly in the shoulder. This condition can cause significant pain and restrict movement. Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for calcific tendinopathy as it helps break down the calcifications, reducing pain and restoring mobility. It also stimulates the body's natural healing process, allowing for long-term relief from symptoms.

8. Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that affects the muscles and the fascia (connective tissue around the muscles). It is characterized by trigger points—tight, painful knots that form in muscles. Shockwave therapy helps to relax muscle tension and deactivate these trigger points, providing relief from pain and improving muscle function. This is especially helpful for individuals dealing with long-standing muscle stiffness and discomfort.

9. Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain can result from a variety of conditions, including muscle strain, disc degeneration, or inflammation. Shockwave therapy can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for chronic low back pain, helping to reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting tissue regeneration. It also aids in breaking the cycle of chronic inflammation, allowing for long-term improvements in mobility and comfort.

10. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Repetitive motions such as gripping, grasping, or lifting can aggravate the condition. Shockwave therapy is effective in reducing inflammation, breaking down scar tissue, and stimulating the healing process in the affected tendons. It offers a non-invasive option for pain relief and improved wrist function, helping patients return to normal daily activities.

The Power of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is particularly useful for chronic conditions, where traditional treatment methods may have failed or provided only temporary relief. By addressing the underlying causes of tissue damage, inflammation, and pain, shockwave therapy can provide long-lasting benefits, making it an attractive option for those seeking non-surgical interventions.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions listed above, or if you’re curious whether shockwave therapy could be the solution for you, consider consulting with a physiotherapist trained in this advanced technique. The potential to relieve pain, improve function, and get you back to doing the things you love is just a shockwave away.

Ready to book? Book online, email us or give us a call at (778) 630-8800.

Shockwave Therapy: A Game Changer!

It’s finally here! Our BTL Shockwave has arrived and we cannot wait to start using it! .

Never heard of shockwave? Let’s dive into the depths of this groundbreaking treatment and explore how shockwave may help you on your journey through recovery.

Shockwave’s Effect on Tissues

Shockwave therapy involves the application of acoustic waves to targeted areas of the body, creating a cascade of biological responses that stimulate healing. This non-invasive and high-intensity treatment has several benefits:

  1. Enhanced Blood Flow
    The acoustic waves trigger increased blood circulation, promoting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the injured or affected area. Shockwave also causes release of specific growth factors leading to angiogenesis (aka blood vessel growth). This encourages more capillaries to grow in the targeted area.

  2. Tissue Regeneration & Tendon Repair
    Shockwave therapy stimulates the production of collagen, a crucial protein for tissue repair. Evidence suggests shockwave stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for making collagen. This promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues, aiding in the restoration of normal function.

  3. Pain Reduction
    By targeting pain receptors and interfering with the transmission of pain signals, shockwave therapy provides relief for individuals grappling with chronic pain conditions. It also decreases the amount of Substance P in the targeted tissues, a well known pain neurotransmitter. Shockwave is a welcome alternative for those seeking a non-pharmacological approach to pain management.

  4. Reversal of Chronic Inflammation
    Chronic inflammation can be thought of an inflammatory reaction that gets stuck in a cycle of heightened inflammation. Shockwave therapy breaks this cycle by increasing the activity of mast cells, leading to a reboot of the inflammatory cycle and allowing tissues to return to a non-inflammatory state.

  5. Muscle Relaxation
    If the thought of needles and IMS makes you feel queasy, shockwave is a great alternative. By targeting trigger points, shockwave can help decrease muscle stiffness and spasticity, leading to more flexible and relaxed muscles.

Conditions Treated with Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy has been shown to have lasting effects across a variety of conditions, including:

  • Tendinitis and Tendinopathies: Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinitis, tennis elbow and other tendon-related issues.

  • Plantar Fasciitis: A common cause of heel pain, often alleviated with shockwave therapy.

  • Muscle Injuries & Tightness: Long-standing strains and tears, tight hamstrings and sore traps.

  • Calcific Shoulder Tendinopathy: Helping to break down calcifications in the shoulder.

  • Stubborn Hands & Wrists: Dequarvain’s and carpal tunnel syndrome respond well to shockwave therapy.

  • Chronic Pain Conditions: Myofascial pain syndrome and chronic low back pain, to name a few.

Shockwave therapy is best for chronic conditions. If you are suffering an acute injury (for instance, a fresh ankle sprain that’s swollen and painful at rest, or a new whiplash), shockwave isn’t for you quite yet.


If you’re ready to try shockwave, give us a call! To book an appointment, book online, email us at clinic@ladnervillagephysio.com or phone us at (778) 630-8800.


Looking for some resources for the claims above? Here’s a great review article from Adam Tenforde & colleagues, published in 2022: Best practices for extracorporeal shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal medicine: Clinical application and training consideration.