A Closer Look at Shockwave Therapy in Oshawa
Have you been suffering from lower back pain, chronic tendinopathy, hip pain, or any other painful soft tissue injury? If yes, it’s about time you consider shockwave therapy at PhysioCare in Oshawa as an efficient way to end or reduce your suffering.
The therapy uses high energy waves to combat pain and repair damaged tissues. As such, the therapy helps you recuperate within the shortest time possible.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment which employs high energy shockwaves to alleviate the pain that resulted from soft tissue injuries and certain bone conditions. Besides pain alleviation, it also supports recovery by:
- Boosting blood circulation to your injured tissues and muscles
- Preventing the formation of a fibrous scar tissue in the affected part
- Supporting the formation of new blood vessels around the affected area
- Reducing inflammation
- Supporting the production of collagen
Who is the Right Candidate for This Therapy?
The best candidates for shockwave therapy treatment are people who live with acute and chronic soft tissue conditions that cause pain. Such conditions may include:
- Chronic neck pain & lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Hip pain & Morton’s Neuroma
- Shoulder pain & lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Stress fractures & tibial stress syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis & golfer’s elbow
While shockwave therapy looks like an effective way to manage pain, it is not appropriate for everybody. Some people might not benefit including pregnant women, children, patients whose pain resulted from infections or malignant tumors, people taking anticoagulants, or patients with open wounds.
What to Expect During Your First Consultation
During your first consultation at PhysioCare in Oshawa, an experienced physiotherapist will assess the affected area and conduct medical assessments to establish if shockwave therapy is appropriate for you. Feel free to disclose any useful information that will help diagnose your condition properly.
If shockwave therapy is ideal, your physiotherapist will explain the treatment procedure and formulate a unique treatment plan. If not ideal, alternative treatments that suit your case will be recommended.
Shockwave Therapy Procedure
During treatment, your physiotherapist will apply a generous amount of gel on the affected area to facilitate the smooth and efficient transfer of acoustic waves. Afterward, a handheld probe will transfer thousands of acoustic waves to the area.
On average, the therapy session lasts 10 to 15 minutes. The number of treatment sessions required depends on the severity of your condition.
How Effective Is Shockwave Therapy?
Reliable medical studies show that 80% of the patients who used the shockwave treatment report a reduction in pain and restoration of normal function at the affected parts after 3 to 4 sessions. The therapy is highly effective in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
Possible Side Effects
Shockwave therapy might cause fewer side effects than surgery or drugs. In rare cases, it can cause muscle soreness, minor skin bruising, inflammation, and skin reddening around the treated area. These side effects are harmless and disappear shortly after treatment.
Why Choose Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a more preferred method because:
- It has a success rate of more than 80%
- It is a holistic approach that doesn’t require drugs or injections
- It’s a lot cheaper than other treatment options like surgery
- It has few side effects if any