Shockwave Therapy in Saanichton
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses short, high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body's own healing response in damaged or degenerate tissue. Research suggests it can help with recovery, chronic pain and function, and it is a non-surgical option to discuss for a range of tendon, fascia, and joint conditions.
It is typically used for chronic conditions — injuries that haven't fully healed with rest, stretching, or manual therapy alone. The sound waves penetrate deep into the tissue, triggering biological repair processes that normal healing can no longer initiate on its own.
Most patients require only 3 to 6 sessions. No surgery. No injections. No downtime.
No referral needed. Online booking 24/7, or call the front desk and we will find you a time.
About shockwave
How Does Shockwave Work?
A shockwave generator delivers rapid pulses of acoustic energy through the skin and into the target tissue. These pulses create mechanical pressure waves that penetrate deep into damaged structures — tendons, fascia, calcifications, and chronic muscle tissue.
The waves trigger four key biological responses: new blood vessel growth into tissue that has lost its blood supply (neovascularization); stimulation of new collagen production to replace degenerate tissue; breakdown of calcium deposits; and modulation of local pain signals for immediate relief alongside long-term healing.
The result is genuine tissue repair — not just symptom suppression. This is why shockwave produces lasting outcomes where anti-inflammatory approaches like cortisone often don't.
Benefits of Shockwave
- Stimulates genuine tissue healing — not just pain relief
- Breaks down calcium deposits in calcific tendinopathy
- Effective where cortisone injections have failed
- Non-surgical, non-injection, drug-free treatment
- Option for chronic conditions that haven’t settled with other care
- Typically only 3–6 sessions required
- No significant downtime — most patients continue activity during treatment
- May support recovery compared to rest alone
Condition-by-Condition Breakdown
Plantar Fasciitis
A common treatment option for chronic heel pain. Once plantar fasciitis has been present for more than 6–8 weeks, the tissue has typically shifted from inflamed to chronically degenerate — and shockwave is one of the options with research support for this phase. See our full plantar fasciitis page for more detail on the condition and recovery timeline.
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Calcific Tendinopathy
Chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy, particularly with calcium deposits, is one of the more common reasons patients try shockwave. The acoustic waves break down calcifications mechanically while simultaneously stimulating tendon tissue repair. Patients with shoulder pain who haven’t improved with other treatments, including cortisone injections, may find shockwave helpful over a course of 3–6 sessions.
Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow
Lateral and medial epicondylitis are tendinopathies where the forearm tendons attach at the elbow — common in trades workers, racket sport athletes, and anyone with repetitive grip demands. Chronic cases that have plateaued with manual therapy and exercise alone respond well to shockwave applied to the tendon-bone interface.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Mid-portion and insertional Achilles tendinopathy are both commonly treated with shockwave. Shockwave is often combined with a progressive eccentric loading program — particularly for runners and active patients who need to maintain some level of activity during recovery.
Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee)
Chronic patellar tendinopathy is notoriously slow to heal and often sidelines athletes for entire seasons. Shockwave applied to the patellar tendon, combined with progressive tendon loading through our athletic therapy program, can support recovery in a condition where rest alone often isn’t enough.
Shin Splints and Chronic Myofascial Pain
Medial tibial stress syndrome that has become chronic, and persistent myofascial trigger points that haven't responded to manual therapy or massage, both respond to focused shockwave. Particularly useful for runners building back to training, and for chronic back and neck pain with a dominant soft tissue component.
Your treatment
What to Expect in a Session
- Sessions are approximately 10–15 minutes for the shockwave component, and can be paired with manual therapy in the same appointment
- A coupling gel may be applied to the skin at the treatment site — similar to an ultrasound
- The handpiece is pressed firmly against the tissue and delivers a series of pulses — you'll feel a deep pressure or tapping sensation
- Sensitive areas like the plantar fascia and tendon insertions can feel more intense than muscle belly work
- Post-treatment soreness for 24–48 hours is normal and part of the healing response
- Most patients have 3–6 sessions, spaced approximately 1 week apart
- Many patients notice a change by sessions 2–3, and the full effect is usually assessed 6–8 weeks after the final session
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Shockwave works best for:
- Tendon and fascia conditions present for 6+ weeks that haven't resolved with rest, stretching, or manual therapy
- Calcific tendinopathy
- Patients who want to avoid surgery or repeated cortisone injections
- Active patients who can't afford extended rest periods
Shockwave is not appropriate for active infection, blood clotting disorders, treatment directly over growth plates in younger patients, or malignancy at the treatment site. We screen all patients for contraindications before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need?
Most conditions require 3–6 sessions, spaced 5–7 days apart. Some complex or longstanding cases benefit from up to 6–8 sessions. We assess your response after each session and adjust accordingly.
Is shockwave covered by extended health insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. Most extended health plans cover shockwave therapy under chiropractic benefits. Check your plan's provisions.
I've already had cortisone injections — can shockwave still help?
Yes. Cortisone and shockwave work via completely different mechanisms. Cortisone suppresses inflammation; shockwave stimulates tissue healing. Multiple failed cortisone injections are actually a very common pathway to shockwave — the underlying degeneration hasn't been addressed, and shockwave targets that directly.
How soon will I feel results?
Many patients notice reduced pain during or after the first session due to pain modulation effects. Structural tissue healing takes longer — most of the benefit accumulates over the 6–8 weeks following the final session. Full assessment of outcomes is best done 8 weeks after completing the course.
Ready to book in Saanichton?
Open 6 days a week, 8:00am – 6:00pm. Direct billing to most extended health plans, ICBC and WorkSafeBC.