Shockwave Therapy Vancouver - Olympic Village
Shockwave is an acoustic wave which carries high energy to the injured tissue. This energy provokes healing, regenerative and reparative processes within the soft tissues being treated. Shockwave is most effective and typically recommended for use with chronic injuries that have not responded to more traditional therapies.
Shockwave has gained significant interest in the Physiotherapy field over the last 25 years and is backed by scientific support. We have included links and information to a number of research studies below for your reference.
What to expect:
Usually, 4-6 treatments are needed to see an improvement and get the full effect of healing in the tissue. It is not recommended to do less than 4 treatments, so if you are not able to commit to this, we would recommend choosing a different treatment plan including other therapeutic tools instead.
Shockwave is a relatively quick treatment to deliver and, depending on the area being treated and dosage used, can usually be completed within 10 minutes.
Side Effects:
There are very few side effects to Shockwave treatment. The main ones are: potential bruising and post-treatment muscle soreness that should clear up within 1-2 days. It is not recommended to do vigorous physical activity or exercise immediately following your Shockwave therapy session.
Interested in whether Shockwave may be an appropriate choice to treat your injury?
Book an initial assessment with one of our Physiotherapists to find out.
The conditions that our Physiotherapists may recommend Shockwave treatment for are:
- Plantar fasciopathy/faciitis
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Medical Epidonylitis (golfer’s elbow)
- Patellar Tendinopathy
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Scar Tissue in Old Muscle Tears/Sprains
- Stubborn Trigger Points
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing response. Here’s what happens at the tissue level:
Improved Blood Flow
Acoustic waves stimulate circulation and cellular activity in injured tissue, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients needed for repair.
Inflammation Regulation
The treatment helps regulate inflammatory processes, encouraging chronic injuries to move into an active healing phase.
Collagen Production Boost
Shockwave stimulates procollagen synthesis, essential for repairing tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue.
Reduction of Calcifications
Calcium deposits from chronic injuries (such as heel spurs or calcific shoulder tendinitis) can gradually break down and be reabsorbed by the body.
Pain Signal Reduction
Shockwave therapy may reduce pain-related neurotransmitters, such as Substance P (SP), which decreases chronic pain signals.
Trigger Point Relief
Tight muscle trigger points can become less sensitive as normal tissue metabolism and circulation improve.
Think of it as stimulating injured tissue so your body can restart its natural healing process, naturally and non-invasively.
FAQ - Shockwave Therapy
Most patients describe the sensation as a deep tapping or pulsing feeling. The intensity can be adjusted throughout the session, and your physiotherapist will monitor your comfort during treatment. Numbing or anesthesia is typically not required.
The number of sessions varies depending on the condition being treated and how long symptoms have been present. Many patients benefit from a series of 4–6 treatments spaced about one week apart. Your physiotherapist will recommend a treatment plan based on your assessment and progress.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the condition and how long the injury has been present. If progress is slower than expected, your physiotherapist will reassess your condition and may adjust your treatment plan, incorporate additional therapies, or recommend further assessment if needed.
Yes. Shockwave therapy is non-invasive and does not affect your ability to drive or perform normal daily activities. Some patients may experience mild soreness in the treated area for a short time after the session.
Shockwave therapy delivers higher-energy acoustic waves that penetrate deeper into tissue and can stimulate biological healing responses such as improved circulation and tissue repair. Ultrasound therapy generally produces gentle thermal and circulation effects in more superficial tissues. In some cases, these treatments may be used together as part of a comprehensive physiotherapy plan.