When you’re injured, the primary goal is to restore your mobility and strength as quickly and safely as possible. Injuries like muscle strains, ligament sprains, and nerve-related issues can significantly disrupt your daily life.

Effective rehabilitation is key to regaining performance, enabling you to return to your routines or competition quickly without risking further injury. If you are looking for an effective treatment for accelerating recovery after an injury, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) at Movéo Sport and Rehabilitation Centre’s North Vancouver clinic may be right for you.

What Is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is an advanced treatment that combines cutting-edge medical technology with therapeutic innovation to target a range of health conditions. It uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, making it effective for promoting tissue regeneration and treating musculoskeletal pain and neurological issues.

This approach to pain management and rehabilitation marks a valuable development in non-surgical interventions, offering patients an effective and accelerated path to recovery without invasive procedures.

How Does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Work?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is applied through the skin, using a device emitting focused, high-energy sound waves directly to the treatment area. These shockwaves break down damaged tissues, activating the body’s natural healing response, stimulating cellular repair, and improving circulation.

The intensity and type of shockwaves are tailored to each individual, with multiple sessions needed to achieve optimal results.

ESWT has gained recognition in rehabilitation and sports medicine due to its effectiveness in treating neurological and musculoskeletal conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, fracture nonunion, and sciatica.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick tissue band along the foot’s underside. It often causes significant pain, particularly when walking or standing.

Shockwave therapy effectively treats plantar fasciitis by disrupting pain-associated nerve pathways, providing significant relief. It enhances blood flow and stimulates cellular repair in the affected area, accelerating natural healing processes. This leads to improved mobility and reduced foot pain and stiffness.

As a non-invasive approach that promotes faster recovery, ESWT is a widely recognized option for those struggling with plantar fasciitis.

Achilles Tendinopathy

ESWT is often used to treat Achilles tendinopathy, a condition marked by the degeneration and inflammation of the Achilles tendon due to overuse or repetitive strain. Focused shockwaves trigger an inflammatory response that activates fibroblasts – cells vital to healing connective tissues, such as tendons. This inflammatory response speeds up healing, reduces pain, and enhances blood circulation.

Fracture Nonunion

Fracture nonunion occurs when broken bones fail to heal properly within the expected timeframe. The condition is usually treated with surgery, though there are risks of infection and the bone’s potential failure to stabilize and heal properly.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy stimulates cellular repair processes and encourages bone tissue regeneration by stimulating osteoblasts – cells responsible for bone healing and new bone production.

ESWT is a valuable therapeutic option for patients experiencing complications related to fractures, particularly those who have not responded to conventional treatment methods.

Sciatica and Back Pain

Sciatica and chronic back pain can be debilitating. ESWT alleviates pain and reduces discomfort in two ways: hyperstimulation anesthesia, which floods nerve endings to block pain temporarily, and the gate-control mechanism, which recalibrates pain perception for longer-lasting relief.

Therapy also promotes the release of endorphins and other natural pain-relievers, further easing chronic pain. Patients with sciatica and back pain often experience improved mobility and significantly reduced discomfort.

At Moveo, physiotherapists and chiropractors can assess and provide ESWT. However, it isn’t suitable for everyone, and it’s best to consult your doctor or physiotherapist beforehand. Pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions may not be eligible for this therapy.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Returning to peak performance quickly is essential for professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Start your recovery journey at Moveo Sport and Rehabilitation Centre’s North Vancouver clinic. Our experienced therapists will guide you back to your best form.
Call 604.984.8731, visit our website, or schedule an appointment directly using our contact form.