Shockwave Therapy Edmonton

If you have been dealing with a tendon injury or chronic pain that has not responded to rest, massage, or other conservative care, shockwave therapy may be the next step. It is one of the few non-invasive treatments that can directly address the tissue-level changes behind stubborn musculoskeletal conditions, particularly tendons, which heal slowly because of their limited blood supply.

At Athlete’s Choice Massage, shockwave therapy is available across all four Edmonton-area clinics. Your first appointment begins with an assessment so your therapist understands your condition, how long you have had it, and what has and hasn’t worked. Treatment is then tailored to your tolerance and adjusted in real time.

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30 min | 45 min | 60 min

• 780-433-0550
• Open daily, Edmonton, Alberta
• Direct Billing Available

What Conditions Does Shockwave Therapy Treat?

Shockwave therapy is most effective for chronic tendon and connective-tissue conditions that have not resolved with rest or manual therapy alone.

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Calcific shoulder and rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
• Chronic trigger points and myofascial pain

Condition	Where It’s Felt
Plantar fasciitis	Heel, worst with first steps in the morning
Achilles tendinopathy	Mid-tendon or where it inserts at the heel
Tennis elbow / golfer’s elbow	Outer or inner elbow, worse with gripping
Calcific shoulder / rotator cuff	Shoulder, often sharp, limits range of motion
Patellar tendinopathy	Base of the kneecap
Myofascial trigger points	Neck, upper back, and hips

Does Shockwave Therapy Help Plantar Fasciitis?

Yes, plantar fasciitis is the most common reason people book shockwave therapy at our Edmonton clinics. Pooled results from randomized controlled trials show it reduces pain and improves function in chronic cases. In long-standing cases, the plantar fascia becomes resistant to stretching and massage alone. Shockwave therapy targets that tissue directly, stimulating circulation and repair where standard care has stalled.

Does Shockwave Therapy Help Achilles Tendinopathy?

Yes, for chronic pain at the tendon’s midpoint or its heel insertion. Clinical trial data show gains in pain and function that last at least three months after treatment. Tendinopathy develops when the tendon’s collagen degrades from repetitive loading without recovery. It’s typically considered once stretching and strengthening alone haven’t resolved the pain.

Does Shockwave Therapy Help Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?

Yes, both are tendon overuse injuries with strong evidence behind shockwave as a treatment. A review of upper-limb tendon trials found it both effective and safe, including for tennis elbow. These injuries are common in anyone doing repetitive gripping, lifting, or computer work, not just racket sports. Talk to your therapist once elbow pain has limited your grip strength or daily function for more than a few months.

Does Shockwave Therapy Help Calcific Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Pain?

Yes. Across 16 randomized trials, patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy saw significant gains in pain, function, and range of motion. It’s effective at breaking down calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons, and works on rotator cuff tendinopathy without calcification too. It’s often used when shoulder pain has persisted through physiotherapy or massage.

Does Shockwave Therapy Help Patellar Tendinopathy?

Yes, patellar tendinopathy, or jumper’s knee, is one of the three tendon conditions with the strongest evidence base for shockwave. It causes pain at the base of the kneecap, most common in people who run, jump, or squat regularly, or who are on their feet for long periods. Shockwave therapy promotes tendon remodelling and is typically paired with a guided loading program from your therapist.

Does Shockwave Therapy Help Chronic Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain?

Yes, for trigger points that haven’t responded to manual therapy. Research on trapezius trigger points found focused shockwave therapy reduced pain in that muscle. The acoustic waves disrupt contracted muscle fibres and improve local circulation. This is particularly useful for persistent neck, upper back, and hip pain that other treatments have only relieved temporarily.

What Happens During a Shockwave Therapy Appointment?

Your appointment starts with an assessment, then a handheld probe delivers acoustic pressure waves through gel applied to the treatment area. Your therapist reviews your health history and tests range of motion first: this shapes how the shockwave is applied and at what intensity. NHS guidance on the procedure describes the same pattern: an assessment, gel on the skin, then a probe delivering the shockwaves with intensity adjusted to your comfort (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital).

Most clients describe the sensation as a deep, repetitive pressure that is intense but tolerable. Mild soreness in the treated area is normal for one to two days afterward. Your therapist will give you specific guidance on activity and recovery exercises between sessions; most conditions respond within three to six sessions, spaced about a week apart.

What Should I Know Before My Shockwave Therapy Visit?

A few things make the appointment go more smoothly and the treatment more effective. NHS patient guidance on this procedure lists similar prep points, including pausing anti-inflammatories and flagging pregnancy, pacemakers, or bleeding disorders beforehand (UHCW NHS Trust).

• Come prepared to discuss your history. The more your therapist knows about when the pain started, what aggravates it, and what you have already tried, the more targeted the treatment can be.
• Wear clothing that allows access to the area. Shockwave is applied directly to skin with gel, so shorts, a tank top, or loose layers work well depending on the treatment area.
• Avoid anti-inflammatory medication before your appointment if possible. Shockwave therapy works by triggering an inflammatory healing response, and NSAIDs taken beforehand can blunt that effect.
• Ease back on intense activity for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Some post-treatment soreness is part of the process.
• Tell your therapist before booking if you are pregnant, have active cancer, a pacemaker, or an open wound or fracture in the treatment area. These are contraindications for shockwave therapy.

Where Is Shockwave Therapy Available in Edmonton?

Shockwave therapy is available across all four Athlete’s Choice Massage clinics in the Edmonton area:

• West Edmonton: 87 Ave NW, a few minutes from West Edmonton Mall
• Downtown Edmonton: serving the core and surrounding neighbourhoods
• South Edmonton: 67 Ave NW, south side of the river
• Sherwood Park: Broadmoor Boulevard, Emerald Hills

Direct billing is available at all locations. Book online or call 780-433-0550.

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Shockwave is one of many treatments at our Edmonton massage clinics. Compare locations and book online.