Shockwave Therapy

What is shockwave therapy:

Our shockwave therapy uses the EMS Dolarclast Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). At Push Pounds Sports Medicine, we use the most evidence-based shockwave and is a treatment used in physical therapy, orthopaedics, urology and cardiology. The shock waves are abrupt, high amplitude pulses of mechanical energy, similar to sound waves, generated by an electromagnetic coil or a spark in water. It has emerged as one of the leading treatment options for patients with chronic neck and back pain. Our Downtown Toronto shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves with high energy, when applied to the area causing pain and interacts with tissue, it causes an overall medical effect of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth. Thus, promoting faster and a more natural way of healing.

Acoustic waves with high energy peak are used in your downtown Toronto shockwave therapy. The energy waves interact with tissue causing overall medical effects of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, analgesia and mobility restoration. All the processes mentioned in this section are typically employed simultaneously and are used to treat chronic, subacute and acute (advanced users only) conditions.

The focus of our downtown Toronto shockwave therapy is to provide a non-surgical approach to immediate pain relief and restoration of mobility. This is accomplished without the use of heavy medications, injections, or painkillers which promotes faster recovery a faster recovery time and a cure for various problems causing acute or chronic pain.

What to expect during your shockwave therapy visit?

The process is simple and causes slight discomfort. During our downtown Toronto shockwave therapy session, your chiropractor or physiotherapist will use palpation to help locate the exact area that needs to be treated. A gel will be applied to the area. The gel is merely to allow the shockwave applicator to move without friction directly on the skin. To begin your downtown Toronto shockwave treatment, the shockwave applicator is slightly pressed onto the treatment area and then powered on. Some patients feel a slight tingle or discomfort that is certainly tolerable, more tolerable than the pain they may have already been dealing with due to their injury. The intensity could certainly be adjusted and discussed with your chiropractor. The entire session takes only a few minutes however, frequent visits may be needed.

Common conditions that are treated using shockwave therapy?

Plantar Fasciitis
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Patellar Tendinitis
Bursitis
Golfer’s Elbow
Tennis Elbow

Conditions Successfully Treated with Shockwave Therapy

Tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is used to describe any chronic condition affecting the tendons, including tendinitis and tendinosis. Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon due to micro-tears that result from a sudden acute overload of the musculotendinous unit. Tendinosis, on the other hand, is the non-inflammatory degeneration of a tendon’s collagen due to continuous microtraumas, stress or overloading.

Tendinosis and tendinitis can affect tendons at different parts of the musculoskeletal system, including the Achilles, rotator cuff, elbow, plantar fascia, and more. With shockwave therapy, the affected tendon can be treated, as the treatment promotes neovascularization and gradual tissue repair.

Heel spurs

This condition involves the deposit of calcium underneath the heel bone, and it’s mostly associated with inflammation or scarring of the plantar fascia. With shockwave therapy, the calcium deposit can be dissipated and eliminated through the lymphatic system.

Trigger Points

Trigger points are taut bands of muscle fibres formed when parts of muscles contract and fail to relax. This leads to palpable nodules with minimal blood supply and buildup of metabolic waste, which irritates nerve endings. They are the primary cause of pain in the lower back, limbs, shoulders, and neck. Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic energy that helps relax the taut muscle fibres, restores blood supply and eliminates metabolic waste.

Other Conditions Treated Through Shockwave Therapy:

Apart from the mentioned conditions, Push Pounds Sports Medicine uses Shockwave therapy to treat:

Medial tibial stress syndrome
Calcifications, including calcific tendinosis
Bursitis
Golfers elbow
Stress fractures to the bones
Morton’s neuroma
Muscle spasticity

Why Choose Push Pounds Sports Medicine for Shockwave Therapy?

Push Pounds Sports Medicine is a premier sports medicine center in Toronto with vast treatment options, including shockwave therapy, for the musculoskeletal system. We cater to athletes, weekend warriors, and any other individual looking to treat muscle, connective tissue and joint related conditions or enhance their performance.

Our primary focus is to get our patients better by treating the underlying conditions and not just the symptoms. This is why our specialists use a hands-on approach to thoroughly assess the affected areas and the rest of the musculoskeletal system before determining the best treatment approach. If shockwave therapy is suitable for your condition, then our specialists will utilize it.

Push Pounds Sports Medicine has highly experienced and certified physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and other specialists. This means that you have the best experts at your disposal, and they’ll help you with your treatment and rehabilitation. It also means that you can combine other treatment options, including deep tissue massage, prescriptive exercises and physical therapy, along with shockwave therapy, for faster recovery.

Push Pounds Sports Medicine offers you cutting-edge shockwave therapy and other treatments at affordable rates. Your recovery and getting back to your game is what matters most to us, which is why we offer customer-oriented services. For more information on shockwave therapy or to schedule a thorough examination with our biomechanics and movement experts, please contact us today.

Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment with mild discomfort, which is tolerable by most patients. The discomfort experienced is dependent on the already existing pain in the target area. The good news is, shockwave application takes about 3-5 minutes, and the intensity of the treatment can be adjusted to each patient’s tolerable levels.

After treatment, it’s normal to experience soreness, tenderness, and mild swelling, which subside after a day or two.

Is Shockwave Therapy Covered by Insurance?

Yes, most Extended Health Plan (EHP) providers cover shockwave therapy under Physiotherapy or Chiropractic treatment. However, you should check with your insurance company to be sure that they’ll cover your treatment. At Push Pounds Sports Medicine, we can direct bill your EHP provider.