Shockwave Treatment
The published medical evidence to support shockwave therapy in the treatment of a long list of common musculoskeletal conditions is ever growing. Just as a skilled contractor can restore a weakened foundation, shockwave therapy helps your body actually repair damaged tissue at its source. This non-invasive treatment uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the natural healing processes, thus speeding up the resolution of chronic conditions, reduce pain, and improve mobility in tendons, muscles, and joints.
We offer a streamlined approach to receiving shockwave therapy: an initial visit which includes a detailed assessment with a physiotherapist trained in shockwave therapy, where shockwave can be incorporated at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE during this initial assessment visit should you wish to explore it. Thereafter, we offer follow-up physiotherapy sessions that can include use of the shockwave modality (along with our standard evidence-based manual therapy and exercise approaches), with an additional surcharge of $40 applied to our standard rates.
Shockwave therapy is available at our Danforth & Chester location, with daytime, evening, and Saturday hours, for your convenience.
Shockwave therapy at Toronto Physiotherapy
It is the common practice of clinics across Toronto to charge an additional fee for shockwave treatment. We have made it a priority to keep our treatment fees as accessible as possible, and have set our shockwave fees accordingly. We do NOT charge for shockwave treatment if used during the initial assessment visit, so that patients can explore it during this session, at no additional cost.
For follow-up physiotherapy visits that include shockwave as part of the treatment provided, these carry an additional $40 fee (tax-free) to our standard physiotherapy follow-up rates. You will receive a complete treatment including shockwave application, in addition to whatever other physiotherapy, manual therapy, exercise programming/progression, and expert rehabilitation guidance you may need. Our standard 30 minute follow-up sessions are most typically used, but longer appointments are available depending on your needs and the number of conditions being treated (with the additional $40 shockwave fee applied to the standard rates for these visits).
Your first visit
At your initial visit, your Physiotherapist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your condition, determining the full history and the acute or chronic nature of your symptoms. Your physiotherapist will conduct various tests to determine the contributing muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint factors, as well as test for strength capacity, movement patterns, and any biomechanical contributing factors to your unique case.
This will help them determine whether shockwave therapy will be of benefit to you, and what other manual therapy and tailored exercise programming is needed, so that you see meaningful improvement as quickly as possible. Your first treatment can include shockwave right away, if you wish to do so.
What is shockwave therapy?
During the shockwave treatment, a handheld device delivers acoustic pressure waves into the affected tissue. Patients will feel a tapping or pulsing sensation, sometimes with an ache or temporary discomfort during the session — the treatment is brief (typically a couple of minutes or less), and most people tolerate it easily.
Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a safe, clinically proven method used to accelerate tissue repair and relieve chronic pain. It helps stimulate blood flow, promote collagen production, and break down scar tissue or calcifications that interfere with healing.
Many patients experience improvement after just a few sessions, with continued progress over several weeks as the tissues continue the healing process that was stimulated by the shockwave treatment.
It is commonly used to treat:
Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
Tennis or Golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis)
Shoulder tendonitis / calcific tendonitis
Achilles tendinopathy
Hip or gluteal or hamstrings tendinopathy
Chronic muscle tension / pain
Arthritis or joint pain
Spasticity in neurological conditions (such as post-stroke)
Why choose us for shockwave therapy?
We offer a professional, hands-on approach combining clinical expertise, modern equipment, and rehabilitative care to help you recover quickly and safely.
Our treatments are tax-free, covered under most extended health plans, and include documentation for insurance and medical expense claims.
Have questions or wonder if shockwave therapy could help you?
Please feel free to call our front desk at 416-792-5115 or email us at [email protected].