Shockwave Therapy On Bayview & Eglinton in Toronto
If you’re suffering from a soft tissue injury that takes a long time to heal, you can speed up your recovery time with the best shockwave therapy Toronto offers. The Global Health Physiotherapy Clinic combines the experience of our senior physical therapists with the proven success of shockwave technology to treat many different conditions. Most commonly treated are:
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Tennis elbow, Golfers elbow and other forms of tendonitis from overuse or repetitive motions
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Shoulder Bursitis, calcific tendonitis, impingement, rotator cuff injuries
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Neck pain from text neck, muscle stiffness and/or whiplash
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Foot and ankle pain (most commonly plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and tendonitis in the Achilles and joints)
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Knee pain from old injuries or new injuries
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Back pain from muscles spasms
Shockwave therapy in Toronto is clinically proven to be effective in speeding up the healing process. Most patients see the results in 3 to 5 visits with a success rate between 75-95% for the conditions mentioned above. Book your appointment online or call us for availability.
What exactly is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy (SWT) is also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Both terms mean exactly the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
Shockwave therapy involves the use of a medical device that emits an acoustic pulse to the injured area. These waves of energy travel at the speed of sound and are delivered to the area in short and intense applications. The shockwave instrument produces a rapid high frequency of vibration (radial pressure waves) as opposed to an electrical current that you would get from a STEM machine. Like ultrasound waves, shockwaves are mechanical.
Shockwave has been scientifically tested to effectively reduce pain and speed the healing of soft tissue.
What are the physical effects of shockwave therapy?
Ironically, the radial waves being delivered to the injured area “reinjure” the tissue at the cellular level. The effect of “reinjuring” the cells on a controlled level sends your body signals to jumpstart the healing process. Some of the benefits of this stimulated response are:
Accelerated healing
At the cellular level, your body is being triggered to activate the healing process. The changes that take place at the cellular level include communicating these commands to your body to reduce inflammation and release natural metabolites. This is especially effective if your body’s healing has slowed down or forgotten to maintain healing the injured area.
Pain reduction
One of the effects of stimulating injured tissue with radial pressure waves (RPW) is the prevention of pain signals sent to the brain. This is known as the Gate Control Theory, which states that pain signals must pass through the nerves, which in turn decide whether to send the signal to the brain. SWT dampens and prohibits these pain signals.
Increased blood flow
An increase in blood flow can improve the speed at which injured tissue heals. Blood carries additional nutrients and oxygen, which are vital to repairing and maintaining healthy muscle tissue. Increasing blood flow to the injured area ensures your muscles are getting an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen to continue the healing process.
What does the process for shockwave treatment look like?
First appointment, assessment and consultation
Not every patient is the same. To start the process, one of our physiotherapists needs to assess your condition. Shockwave isn’t a solution for every type of injury so we will need to get a good understanding of the source of your problem to determine the best method of recovery. Only then can we decide whether or not to recommend using SWT therapy in your physiotherapy treatment.
Establish the Program of Care
For every patient we treat, we establish the 5 Levels Program of Care. This is a comprehensive recovery plan to restore your health to your ideal physical condition. If we believe your body will respond positively to shockwave therapy, it will be incorporated into your in-clinic visits. Your 5 Level Program of Care includes manual therapy, active exercise, pain control, education and home exercises.
In-clinic SWT treatment sessions
Depending on the severity of your injury, your in-clinic visits can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. The truth is, not all of your time will be spent receiving shockwave therapy treatment. Many other manual therapies can be incorporated during an in-clinic visit to maximize your time with us. Most patients receive between 5-10 minutes of shockwave therapy.
Education and home care
No treatment is complete without proper education. Every one of our patients is educated on the activities and motions to refrain. We also provide you with a home exercise program to strengthen your muscles and improve mobility. Your healing doesn’t have to end when you leave our clinic.
Not sure if shockwave is right for you? Call us for a free phone consultation or book an appointment online and we’ll get you on the road to recovery.