Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on September 6, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580
Shockwave Therapy Oakville
Dr. Steve Knighton and our physiotherapy team have been using radial shockwave therapy for more than a decade. Over the years, we have treated thousands of patients with stubborn tendon, muscle and soft-tissue injuries.
Shockwave is one of several hands-on treatment tools used at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Oakville when it makes sense for the injury we find during the assessment.
Patients regularly drive to our Glen Abbey clinic from Milton, Burlington, Mississauga and Brampton for shockwave therapy. One big reason is simple: shockwave is included in our regular appointments when clinically appropriate.
Chiropractic appointment: $75
Physiotherapy appointment: $80
There is no separate shockwave therapy fee.
We don’t use shockwave just because we have a machine sitting in the clinic. Treatment is based on the diagnosis, what we find during the assessment and whether shockwave actually makes sense for that particular problem.
We are also open Saturdays for patients who need weekend appointments or are travelling into Oakville for treatment.
What Is Shockwave Therapy In Oakville?
Radial shockwave therapy uses compressed air to rapidly move a small projectile inside the applicator. That creates mechanical pressure waves that travel through the applicator head into the treatment area.
The treatment feels like rapid tapping against the skin. We use shockwave on tendons, muscles and other soft tissues as part of our broader chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment protocols.
The shockwave treatment lasts for 1200 to 1800 beats and the intensity can range from 0.3BAR – 8.0BAR. The shockwave contacts the patients at 15 times a second for most injuries. Most treatments are customized to where the patient feels the most “benefit” of treatment. Chronic injuries will use custom “ART Shockwave” protocols where our therapists move the patients joints while performing the shockwave therapy.
Our therapists use shockwave treatment to help treat bones, tendons and muscles. It is most commonly used to reduce pain and improve mobility. Radial shockwave therapy is most commonly considered for selected persistent tendon and soft-tissue conditions. Evidence and expected outcomes vary depending on the diagnosis, treatment protocol and individual patient.
Radial shockwave and focused shockwave are not identical. Radial shockwave delivers its greatest pressure near the surface and disperses as it travels deeper, while focused shockwave concentrates energy at a selected depth. Our clinic uses radial shockwave therapy.
Shockwave Therapy at Our Clinic
Type: Radial shockwave therapy
Chiropractic appointment: $75
Physiotherapy appointment: $80
Additional shockwave fee: $0
Typical shockwave application: Approximately 1–3 minutes
Common use: Selected persistent tendon and soft-tissue conditions
Direct billing: Available for many insurance plans
Our approach: Shockwave is incorporated into a broader treatment visit when appropriate
Shockwave Therapy Near Milton
Patients frequently travel from Milton to our Oakville clinic for shockwave therapy because of our comprehensive treatment approach and affordable pricing
Shockwave Therapy Cost in Oakville
Shockwave therapy at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre costs $75 with our chiropractors and $80 with our physiotherapist. When shockwave is clinically appropriate, there is no separate shockwave therapy fee.
Rather than providing shockwave only as a short standalone machine treatment, we incorporate it into a broader chiropractic or physiotherapy appointment.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may also include Interferential Current Therapy (IFC), heat, soft tissue treatment, chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy rehabilitation or exercises designed to improve movement and function.
Our goal is to provide modern, evidence-informed treatment while keeping the cost practical for patients dealing with persistent tendon and soft-tissue problems.
If your injury happened at work, learn how shockwave therapy may be included as part of your WSIB treatment program.
If your injury was caused by a motor vehicle accident, learn how shockwave therapy may be included as part of your car accident rehabilitation plan.
Why We Offer Affordable Shockwave Therapy in Oakville
Shockwave therapy is a little more personal to us than simply being another machine in the clinic.
Several years ago, Dr. Steve Knighton was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident and sustained multiple musculoskeletal injuries, including a spinal fracture and a torn shoulder labrum. Recovery was long, frustrating and involved a lot more than one type of treatment.
During his rehabilitation, Dr. Steve used shockwave therapy as one part of his own treatment plan for persistent muscle, tendon and soft-tissue problems.
He liked the treatment enough that when he returned to practice, he wanted patients at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre to have easy access to it without being charged a large additional fee every time the shockwave machine was used.
That experience helped shape how we use shockwave therapy today.
We do not treat shockwave as a fancy two-minute add-on or automatically use it on every injury. When it makes sense for the diagnosis, radial shockwave therapy is incorporated into the patient’s chiropractic or physiotherapy appointment alongside the other treatment and rehabilitation that may be appropriate.
It also influenced how we decided to price it.
Shockwave therapy is included within our regular $75 chiropractic and $80 physiotherapy appointments when clinically appropriate. There is no separate shockwave therapy fee.
Our goal is simple: provide modern treatment options that we genuinely use and believe have a role in musculoskeletal care, while keeping treatment practical and affordable for the patients who come to see us.
What’s Included in Your Shockwave Therapy Visit
Radial Shockwave therapy at our Oakville clinic is never a quick, isolated treatment. Each session is tailored based on your diagnosis and functional assessment.
$75 – Shockwave with Our Chiropractors
Your shockwave visit includes radial shockwave therapy as part of your chiropractic treatment. Depending on your diagnosis, your appointment can also include:
Your visit may include:
- Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)
- Heat therapy
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy
- Chiropractic adjustments when appropriate
Shockwave Therapy Near Burlington
Many Burlington patients choose our Oakville clinic for shockwave therapy because treatments are combined with chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.
$80 – Shockwave with Vinaya – Our Oakville Physiotherapist
When treated by Vinaya, our physiotherapist, your session includes:
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Full physiotherapy assessment
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Shockwave therapy
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Manual therapy
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Targeted strengthening and mobility exercises
- Treatment modalities
Sessions typically run 25–30 minutes and focus on reducing pain, restoring movement and progressing rehabilitation.
Shockwave Therapy Near Mississauga
Our Oakville shockwave therapy clinic regularly treats physiotherapy patients from Mississauga suffering from chronic tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, and rotator cuff problems.
What Our Patients Are saying About Shockwave Therapy
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Steve is awesome! Helps my aching problems every visit and sends me stretches to help that I can do at home. I have a love/hate relationship with the machines but definitely worth it! Steve comes in after the machines and does his magic! So happy I found his services 😀... read more
Kim Havenaar
December 7, 2024I would definitely recommend the Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre for anyone in need of chiropractic services. Dr. Steve significantly improved my back posture after two to three sessions; the staff are both friendly and professional, and the atmosphere is very relaxing.
Rick Dong
October 7, 2024Dr Steve and team have transformed my neck and upper back. They worked their magic to help release tension and my sleep is much better. Bonus - they love dogs so mine come to appts for social visits!
Vidya B
September 7, 2024 -
Best place I’ve been to for chiro and physio…
Gregory Ellis
May 1, 2026Dr.Steve was great, and really helpful.
Quinn Butler
August 11, 2026I have had the pleasure of working with Vinaya at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre over the last five months, and I can’t recommend her highly enough! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Vinaya took the time to listen to my concerns and thoroughly assessed... read more
Jeff Barbosa
October 7, 2024 -
Love Dr. Steve's sense of humour, enthusiasm and determination to make you feel better he always adds a positive part in our day when we come here thank you! We love the staff at the front desk and the helpers of Dr Steve they are so kind and hardworking. Thank... read more
gunes ozok
December 7, 2024I keep getting broken and the complete team keeps repairing me If I could leave 10 stars I would. Thanks doctor Steve and team
KE LE
May 20, 2026Dr. Steve’s office is a very organized and efficient clinic. Appointments run smoothly and on time. The team offers targeted care to patients without adding unnecessary treatments. I highly recommend this office if you are looking for a new provider.
Supreet D
June 11, 2026
What Radial Shockwave Therapy Treats At Our Oakville Clinic:
Radial Shockwave Therapy for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Shockwave therapy is one of the treatments we use regularly for stubborn tendon, muscle and soft-tissue injuries. The exact protocol depends on the diagnosis, because a chronic plantar fascia problem is not treated the same way as a rotator cuff, elbow or Achilles tendon injury.
Below are some of the conditions we commonly treat with radial shockwave therapy as part of our chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment programs.
Book a shockwave therapy appointment
Shockwave Therapy For Tennis Elbow
Suffering from pain on the outside of your elbow when you pour a cup of coffee? Do you get severe elbow pain when you are using gardening tools or squeezing? You could be suffering from Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis.
Shockwave Therapy at our Oakville clinic has been used to treat the large increase in patients with Tennis elbow and lateral elbow joint pain over the last year. Our doctors equate this increase to people working at home since Covid and using a laptop, and not a mouse.
Pain from hours of pickleball? Don’t worry, we will not call it “Tennis Elbow”. For persistent tennis elbow or lateral elbow tendinopathy, we use shockwave alongside soft tissue treatment, activity modification and progressive strengthening.
Radial Shockwave Therapy For Plantar Fasciitis
Suffering from severe heel or foot pain when taking your first steps in the morning? Feeling a lightning bolt shoot through your lower leg after you have been sitting at the computer? You might be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis!
Both our physiotherapists and our chiropractors treat foot pain with shockwave!
Shockwave therapy is one of our go-to treatments for persistent plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciopathy, particularly when heel pain has been hanging around despite footwear changes, stretching, activity modification or rehabilitation.
Research on shockwave for plantar fasciitis is substantial, although study results vary according to the shockwave protocol and treatments used for comparison. Individual response and the number of treatments required can vary.
Radial Shockwave For Golfers Elbow Treatment
For persistent golfer’s elbow or medial elbow tendinopathy, we use shockwave alongside progressive strengthening, soft tissue treatment and activity modification.
Suffering from elbow pain with mundane day to day tasks. Are you an avid golfer or racket sport player with severe pain in the inside of your elbow? You could be suffering from Golfer’s Elbow or Medial Epicondylitis. Get a cramping type of feeling at the top of your forearm?
Golfer’s elbow is not as common as tennis elbow at our Oakville clinic. If you are suffering from elbow pain, shockwave therapy could be the treatment you have been looking for!
Shockwave Therapy For Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Pain
Suffering from chronic shoulder pain or a decrease in range of motion? Shoulder pain when you are sleeping with your arm above your shoulder? You could be suffering from a rotator cuff injury or a shoulder impingement issue.
We use shockwave therapy for persistent shoulder tendon problems, including selected rotator cuff and calcific tendon conditions. The first job is figuring out exactly what is causing the shoulder pain so we can treat the right structure instead of simply blasting away at every sore shoulder that walks through the door.
Hip Pain and Bursitis Radial Shockwave Treatment
Are you suffering from chronic hip pain from sitting at a computer all day or starting a new gym routine. Do you need help to tie your shoes because your hip won’t raise up? Does it hurt on the outside of your hip while you are sleeping on your side?
Persistent pain on the outside of the hip commonly involves the gluteal tendons and surrounding soft tissues. When the assessment points to a tendon-related hip problem, shockwave is incorporated directly into our treatment protocol.
Radial Shockwave Therapy For Low Back Pain
Are you experiencing severe back or bum pain with a shooting pain going down your leg? Do you need help tying your shoes? You could be experiencing sciatica or severe mechanical low back pain.
Low back pain can have many different causes, so we do not simply point the shockwave machine at every sore back. When the examination identifies involved muscles or soft tissues that we want to treat, we use shockwave as part of the visit along with chiropractic treatment, IFC, soft tissue therapy, exercise and home rehabilitation when needed.
Radial Shockwave Therapy For Tendinitis and Tendinosis
Tendinopathy can be frustrating because the pain often hangs around long after you expected it to be gone.
Maybe your Achilles hurts every time you start running. Maybe your shoulder has been sore for months when you reach overhead. Maybe your elbow flares up every time you golf, play pickleball, lift weights or even pick up a coffee mug.
These persistent tendon problems may involve areas such as the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, elbow, shoulder, hip or knee.
Radial shockwave therapy is one of the treatments we use most often for persistent tendon problems, particularly when symptoms have continued despite activity modification, exercise and rehabilitation.
Shockwave is not a replacement for strengthening or progressive tendon loading. In many cases, it works best as one part of a broader treatment plan that may also include soft tissue treatment, mobility work, progressive strengthening and changes to aggravating activities.
The specific treatment depends on which tendon is involved, how long the problem has been present, what we find during the assessment and what treatments you have already tried.
Some tendon problems respond very differently from others, so we do not automatically use shockwave simply because someone has been told they have “tendinitis.”
Benefits of Radial Shockwave Therapy in Oakville
Radial shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can be delivered relatively quickly and does not require injections or surgery.
The main goals of shockwave therapy are to reduce pain, improve function and help patients get back to normal activity. We use it most often for persistent tendon and soft-tissue problems and combine it with exercise, progressive loading, manual therapy and activity modification when those are part of the treatment plan.
Research results vary between different conditions and shockwave protocols, so treatment should be selected according to the patient’s diagnosis rather than assuming that shockwave is appropriate for every injury.
Temporary soreness, tenderness or skin redness can occur following treatment. Treatment intensity is adjusted according to the area being treated and the patient’s tolerance.
For many Oakville patients dealing with long-standing soft tissue injuries, shockwave therapy provides an effective way to stimulate healing and restore normal movement.
Patients from Oakville, Milton, Burlington and Mississauga often visit our clinic for shockwave therapy to treat chronic tendon injuries and stubborn soft tissue pain.
Shockwave Therapy FAQs
What is radial shockwave therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers mechanical acoustic pressure waves into the tissues through a handheld applicator.
At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, we incorporate radial shockwave directly into our chiropractic and physiotherapy visits for the tendon, muscle and soft-tissue conditions we treat with shockwave.
How does shockwave therapy work?
Shockwave therapy delivers repeated mechanical pressure waves into the treatment area. These waves interact with the tissues and may influence pain, local biological responses and tissue function.
The exact biological mechanisms are complex and continue to be studied. Shockwave is generally used as one component of a broader treatment plan rather than as a replacement for appropriate assessment, exercise and rehabilitation.
How much does shockwave therapy cost in Oakville?
At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, shockwave therapy is included when clinically appropriate as part of a chiropractic or physiotherapy appointment.
Chiropractic appointment: $75
Physiotherapy appointment: $80
There is no separate shockwave therapy fee when shockwave is incorporated into your treatment.
What conditions is shockwave therapy commonly used for?
Shockwave therapy is commonly used for persistent tendon and soft-tissue conditions.
Conditions we regularly use shockwave to treat include:
- Plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciopathy
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow and lateral elbow tendinopathy
- Selected shoulder tendon conditions
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Some persistent hip and gluteal tendon conditions
Shockwave is not appropriate for every painful condition. The diagnosis should be established before deciding whether it belongs in the treatment plan.
Is shockwave therapy better for chronic or acute injuries?
Shockwave therapy has been studied most extensively for persistent or chronic tendon and soft-tissue conditions rather than immediately following a new traumatic injury.
An acute injury should first be assessed to determine what structure has been injured and whether shockwave, rehabilitation, imaging or another treatment approach is appropriate.
Is shockwave therapy good for plantar fasciitis?
Shockwave therapy is commonly used for persistent plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciopathy, particularly when heel pain has not improved as expected with conservative treatment.
Research has examined shockwave extensively for plantar fasciopathy, although results vary between studies and treatment protocols. Shockwave may be combined with footwear advice, stretching, progressive loading and other rehabilitation based on the individual patient.
Learn More About Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Can shockwave therapy help Achilles tendinopathy?
We use shockwave therapy for persistent Achilles tendinopathy, particularly when symptoms have continued despite activity modification and progressive rehabilitation.
Exercise and progressive tendon loading remain important parts of Achilles rehabilitation. Shockwave, when used, is generally incorporated alongside rather than instead of an active rehabilitation program.
Can shockwave therapy help tennis elbow?
We regularly use shockwave therapy to treat persistent tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy.
Treatment may also include activity modification, progressive strengthening, soft tissue treatment and exercises directed at the forearm and upper extremity.
Learn More About Tennis Elbow Treatment
Can shockwave therapy be used for shoulder pain?
Yes. We use shockwave for specific shoulder tendon problems, including rotator cuff tendinopathy and selected calcific tendon conditions.
Not every painful shoulder is a tendon problem, however, so we first determine what is actually causing the pain and then treat the involved structure.
Learn More About Shoulder Pain Treatment
What is included in the $75–$80 shockwave therapy appointment?
Shockwave therapy is incorporated into a full chiropractic or physiotherapy appointment rather than being provided only as a short standalone machine treatment.
Depending on your diagnosis and provider, the appointment may also include assessment, manual therapy, soft tissue treatment, rehabilitation exercises, chiropractic treatment or other appropriate care.
Chiropractic visits are $75 and physiotherapy visits are $80.
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
Shockwave therapy can be uncomfortable, particularly when treating a sensitive tendon or painful area, but treatment intensity can be adjusted according to the patient’s tolerance.
Patients often describe the sensation as rapid tapping or pulsing against the treatment area.
Treatment does not need to be performed at the maximum intensity to every patient.
How long does a shockwave treatment take?
The actual radial shockwave application at our clinic usually takes approximately 1–3 minutes, depending on the area being treated and the treatment protocol.
Shockwave is normally incorporated into a longer chiropractic or physiotherapy appointment that may also include assessment, manual therapy, exercise, rehabilitation or other appropriate treatment.
Why is shockwave therapy less expensive at your clinic?
We chose to include radial shockwave therapy within our regular chiropractic and physiotherapy appointments rather than charging a large additional fee for the modality.
When shockwave is clinically appropriate, patients receive it as part of their treatment plan without a separate shockwave charge.
How many shockwave treatments will I need?
There is no single number of shockwave treatments that is appropriate for every patient.
The number of visits depends on the diagnosis, duration and severity of the condition, previous treatment, activity level and response to care.
Progress should be reassessed during treatment rather than automatically prescribing the same number of shockwave sessions to every patient.
Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?
Because shockwave therapy at our clinic is incorporated into a chiropractic or physiotherapy appointment, the visit may be eligible for reimbursement through the patient’s chiropractic or physiotherapy extended health benefits.
Coverage, deductibles and reimbursement amounts vary between insurance plans. Patients should confirm the details of their individual policy.
We also offer direct billing to many extended health insurance providers when permitted by the patient’s plan.
What is the difference between radial and focused shockwave therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy produces its greatest pressure near the surface and the energy disperses as it travels deeper into the tissues.
Focused shockwave therapy concentrates energy at a selected depth within the tissues.
The two technologies are related but are not identical and should not be treated as interchangeable in every clinical situation.
Our clinic uses radial shockwave therapy.
Is shockwave therapy the same as electrical stimulation?
No.
Shockwave therapy does not deliver an electrical current into the patient. It uses mechanical acoustic pressure waves generated by the shockwave device.
Electrical therapies such as Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) are different treatment modalities.
Is shockwave therapy the same as therapeutic ultrasound?
No.
Both treatments involve forms of mechanical energy, but shockwave therapy and therapeutic ultrasound use different technologies, treatment parameters and mechanisms.
They should not be considered the same treatment simply because both are applied through the skin with a handheld device.
Is it worth travelling to Oakville for shockwave therapy?
Patients travel to our Glen Abbey clinic from Milton, Burlington, Mississauga and surrounding communities for chiropractic and physiotherapy care that may include radial shockwave therapy.
One reason is our pricing structure: when shockwave is clinically appropriate, it is included within a $75 chiropractic or $80 physiotherapy appointment rather than charged as a separate premium treatment.
Does shockwave therapy break up scar tissue?
It is overly simplistic to describe shockwave therapy as simply “breaking up scar tissue.”
Shockwave produces mechanical pressure waves and may influence pain and biological responses within the treated tissues. Its effects depend on the tissue, diagnosis and treatment parameters.
At our clinic, we do not base treatment recommendations on the idea that every painful area contains scar tissue that needs to be broken apart.
Do I have to buy a package of shockwave treatments?
No. We do not require patients to purchase a large prepaid package of shockwave treatments.
Treatment recommendations are based on the diagnosis, examination findings and response to care. The number of visits required varies from patient to patient.
What are the possible side effects of shockwave therapy?
Temporary soreness, tenderness or redness around the treatment area can occur following shockwave therapy.
The intensity of treatment is adjusted according to the area being treated and the patient’s tolerance.
Shockwave is not appropriate for every patient or every condition, which is why the patient’s health history and diagnosis should be considered before treatment.
Can I exercise after shockwave therapy?
That depends on the condition being treated and the type of activity.
Some patients can continue normal activity, while others may be advised to temporarily modify activities that significantly aggravate the injured tendon or tissue.
Your chiropractor or physiotherapist can provide recommendations based on the specific diagnosis rather than applying the same post-treatment restrictions to every patient.
Is shockwave therapy a standalone treatment?
It can be provided as a treatment modality, but at our clinic we generally use shockwave as one component of a broader chiropractic or physiotherapy treatment plan.
Depending on the condition, care may also involve exercise, progressive loading, mobility work, soft tissue therapy, activity modification or other appropriate treatment.
This allows the underlying diagnosis and functional problem to guide treatment rather than relying on one machine or modality alone.
How do I know if shockwave therapy is appropriate for my injury?
The first step is determining what is actually causing the pain.
Your chiropractor or physiotherapist will consider the history of the problem, examination findings, duration of symptoms, previous treatment and your activity goals before recommending shockwave.
If shockwave is unlikely to be appropriate, another treatment approach, further investigation or referral may be recommended instead.
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