Shockwave Therapy for Running Injuries in Ottawa: How Can It Help?
Running is a popular way to stay active in Ottawa. From neighbourhood runs in the Glebe to training for Ottawa Race Weekend, runners place repeated demands on their muscles, tendons, and joints.
Sometimes, despite good training habits, an injury develops.
Shockwave therapy is one treatment option that may be considered as part of physiotherapy rehabilitation for certain musculoskeletal conditions.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses mechanical sound waves delivered to a targeted area of the body.
The goal is to stimulate a biological response in the tissues being treated. It is commonly used in physiotherapy for certain tendon and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Shockwave therapy is not appropriate for every injury, and an assessment is important before treatment.
What running injuries may benefit?
Shockwave therapy is commonly considered for some persistent tendon-related problems, including conditions such as:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciopathy
- Some cases of tendinopathy around the knee
- Certain persistent soft-tissue conditions
The evidence varies by condition, and treatment should be individualized.
Does shockwave therapy replace exercise?
One of the most important parts of rehabilitation is restoring the body’s capacity to tolerate activity.
Physiotherapy may include progressive strengthening, mobility exercises, running modifications, and education about training load.
Shockwave therapy may be used as an additional tool when appropriate.
What happens during treatment?
Your physiotherapist will identify the area being treated and use a specialized device to deliver the shockwaves.
Some patients experience discomfort during treatment. The intensity can generally be adjusted according to tolerance.
The number and frequency of treatments vary depending on the condition and the individual’s response.
When should a runner seek help?
If pain repeatedly returns during or after running, it may be a sign that your current training load exceeds your body’s capacity.
Rather than simply stopping running indefinitely, an assessment can help identify contributing factors.
At CURAVITA Health Group, our physiotherapists can combine clinical assessment, rehabilitation exercises, and appropriate modalities such as shockwave therapy when indicated.
Our multidisciplinary approach can also involve chiropractic care, massage therapy, or custom foot orthotics when appropriate.
Don’t let a persistent running injury keep you on the sidelines. Get assessed, understand the cause, and build your way back to running.