Shockwave Therapy for Stubborn Pain and Faster Healing
At Reform Health + Wellness, shockwave therapy (also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy or ESWT) is a powerful, non-invasive treatment that uses targeted acoustic waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. It’s especially effective for chronic tendon problems, stubborn pain, and injuries that haven’t responded well to other treatments. Whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendinopathy, or other chronic issues, shockwave therapy can reduce pain, break down scar tissue, improve blood flow, and accelerate recovery — all without surgery or medications. Because we’re a collaborative multi-disciplinary clinic, shockwave therapy is often integrated with chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and massage therapy for even better results.
Why patients choose shockwave therapy at Reform:
- Non-invasive treatment with minimal downtime
- Proven results for chronic and hard-to-treat conditions
- Stimulates natural healing at the tissue level
- Personalized protocols tailored to your specific needs
- Integrated with our full team of practitioners under one roof
- Modern, evidence-informed care in a comfortable setting (opening August 2026)
Conditions We Commonly Treat
Shockwave therapy is highly effective for many chronic and overuse musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy and shoulder pain
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Chronic muscle trigger points and myofascial pain
- Hip and gluteal tendinopathy
- Calcific tendinitis
- Other stubborn tendon, ligament, and soft tissue injuries
What to Expect
Your First Visit: Your initial shockwave therapy appointment typically lasts 20–40 minutes, including assessment. Your chiropractor or physiotherapist will review your history, examine the area, and determine if shockwave therapy is appropriate.
Treatment involves applying a handheld device to the affected area. Most patients describe the sensation as a series of strong pulses — uncomfortable but tolerable. We adjust intensity based on your feedback. Many people notice some improvement after the first few sessions.
What to wear: Comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the treatment area.
Follow-Up Visits: Treatment sessions are usually 10–20 minutes each, with most patients receiving 3–6 sessions spaced 1–2 weeks apart. Your practitioner will monitor progress and combine shockwave therapy with exercise, manual therapy, or other modalities when beneficial.
Because we’re a multi-disciplinary clinic, your care can be seamlessly coordinated with our chiropractors, physiotherapists, and massage therapists for comprehensive results. We prioritize clear communication so you understand the process and expected outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shockwave Therapy at Reform Health + Wellness
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy acoustic waves to injured tissues. It stimulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, breaks down scar tissue and calcifications, and promotes natural healing and tissue regeneration.
It is particularly effective for chronic tendinopathies and stubborn soft tissue conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis/golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff issues, and patellar tendinopathy. It is often recommended when conservative treatments have plateaued.
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort during treatment (often described as a strong tapping or pulsing sensation), but it is generally well tolerated. Discomfort usually decreases with subsequent sessions as tissues begin to heal. We always adjust intensity to your comfort level.
Side effects are usually mild and temporary, such as redness, slight swelling, bruising, or soreness in the treated area (similar to a workout). These typically resolve within a few days. Serious complications are rare when performed by trained professionals.
Coverage varies by plan. It is typically billed under chiropractic or physiotherapy benefits when performed by the appropriate practitioner. We recommend checking with your insurance provider. We offer direct billing where available and accept private pay.
Ready to Break Through Stubborn Pain?
If chronic tendon pain, heel pain, or a lingering injury has been holding you back, shockwave therapy may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
At Reform Health + Wellness, we combine shockwave therapy with collaborative, personalized care from our chiropractic, physiotherapy, and massage teams. Our clinic is opening in August 2026 at East Hill Shopping Centre in Red Deer.
Join our waitlist today to be among the first to access this advanced treatment.
