Shockwave Therapy in Vaughan/ Richmond Hill

Rutherford Physio & Sports Injury clinic in Vaughan/ Richmond Hill combines the best shockwave therapy technology with knowledge and experience to achieve rapid results.

Shockwave therapy is a highly effective treatment used to accelerate rehabilitation in tissues that are typically slow to heal or have a tendency to heal incompletely. It is one of the only “technology-based therapies” that clinical research studies have consistently shown to be effective. Like any treatment, to be effective it must be applied correctly. At Rutherford Physio & Sports Injury clinic in Vaughan/ Richmond Hill our physiotherapists are trained to recognize when shockwave therapy will be beneficial, and to develop treatment parameters that will result in the best possible outcome.

What Exactly is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy (SWT), is occasionally referred to as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). These terms are referring to the same thing and are therefore interchangeable. The energy delivered by SWT is not electrical. It is a rapid high frequency mechanical vibration in the form of a Radial Pressure Wave (RPW). Shockwave Therapy Diagram

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

The radial pressure waves cause several changes to the target tissue.

1. Cellular Level Changes
A cellular increase in free radicals stimulate the release of natural metabolites that help prevent pain and resolve inflammation.

2. Vascular Changes
Quality blood flow is essential to tissue healing. Shockwave Therapy has been shown to stimulate angiogenesis (creation of new capillaries) in the target tissue. This redirects local blood flow to the area resulting in healthier tissue and improved healing.

3. Reduction in Muscle Spasticity
Research has demonstrated that SWT can reduce contractile activity of muscle and break neuro-cognitive pain patterns resulting in decreased muscle spasm, and elimination of myofascial trigger points.

4. Reduced Pain
Shockwaves act on interneurons in our A-β nerve fibers preventing communication of pain to our brain. This is known as the Gate Control Mechanism and it has been shown to effectively reduce pain levels. Stated simply, shockwave therapy allows us to use the body’s natural response to acute injury in order to stimulate a healing response in tissues that are either slow to heal, or in which healing has stalled.

Conditions Treated With Shockwave Therapy

Some common conditions that are treated with SWT are listed below. However, at Cornerstone, an experienced physiotherapist will assess your condition to determine the likelihood that SWT will have a meaningful impact on your recovery.

- Plantar Fasciitis
- Heel spurs/Heel pain
- Calcific Tendonitis
- Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Myofascial Trigger Points in muscle
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome (IT Band Syndrome)
- Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow
- Bursitis
- Heterotopic Ossification (Myositis Ossificans).