Struggling with a Stubborn Injury? Shockwave Therapy Might Be The Answer
We get it — dealing with ongoing pain can be incredibly frustrating. Whether it’s that sharp heel pain every morning, a sore Achilles that flares up after every run, or a cranky elbow that just won’t settle down — it’s exhausting when nothing seems to work. That’s why we’re really excited to let you know that we’re now offering Shockwave Therapy at Invigor Health. It’s a treatment we’re adding because it can make a big difference, especially when you feel like you’ve tried everything else. So, What Is Shockwave Therapy? Great question. Shockwave therapy (technically called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, or ESWT) uses focused sound waves that are delivered to the injured area to help the body heal. It’s completely non-invasive — no needles, no surgery, no long recovery times. These sound waves help: It’s quick, safe, and works well alongside the rehab exercises and hands-on treatment you might already be doing. What Can It Help With? Shockwave therapy isn’t for every injury, but it can be incredibly helpful for those stubborn ones that just won’t budge — especially if they’ve been hanging around for months. Here are a few conditions where shockwave therapy can really shine: Plantar Fasciitis That sharp, stabbing heel pain when you first get out of bed? Shockwave helps calm the inflammation and reduce that awful morning pain. Achilles Tendinopathy If your Achilles is constantly tight, sore, or flaring up after runs or long walks, this treatment can help get things moving in the right direction. Tennis Elbow If lifting, gripping, or using your arm gives you that annoying outer elbow pain, shockwave may help settle it down so you can get back to doing things without that constant ache. Calcific Shoulder Tendinopathy This one’s a mouthful, but if you’ve got calcium build-up in your shoulder causing pain or restricted movement, shockwave can help break it down and ease the discomfort. Hip Tendinopathy (Gluteal Pain) Pain on the outside of your hip, especially when lying on your side or climbing stairs? This condition is more common than people think — and shockwave has been shown to help. Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy) Nagging pain at the front of your knee that kicks in during squats, sport, or stairs? Shockwave could help reduce the strain and speed up recovery. Why We’ve Introduced It at Invigor Health Honestly, we’ve had so many clients come to us with long-term injuries that just haven’t shifted — despite doing all the right things. And while we’ll always be big believers in good movement, smart rehab, and strength training, sometimes your body just needs a little extra help to kickstart the healing process. Shockwave gives us another tool to support you — especially if you’ve felt stuck for a while. What’s a Session Like? A shockwave session only takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You might feel a bit of discomfort during the treatment — kind of like a tapping or pulsing — but most people find it very manageable. There’s no downtime. You can go straight back to your day afterwards, whether that’s work, the gym, or a walk by the beach. Most people notice improvement within a few sessions — usually around 3 to 6 treatments over a few weeks. Is It Right for You? Shockwave therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution — and it’s definitely not a magic fix. But if you’ve been dealing with the same pain for months and haven’t had much luck with other treatments, it’s worth considering. We’ll always start with a proper assessment to see if shockwave is likely to help, and we’ll talk you through everything so you know what to expect. Want to Give It a Try? If you’re ready to explore something new, we’re now offering shockwave therapy at our Bondi Junction clinic! Come see us in Bondi Junction.Give us a call or book online — we’re here to help Whether you’ve got a long-term injury or just want to know your options, we’d love to chat and work out what’s best for you.
That Annoying Knee Pain When You Run? Here’s What You Should Know About ITB Syndrome
There’s nothing quite like finding your rhythm on a run — until that familiar twinge shows up on the outside of your knee. You slow down, hoping it’ll ease off, but it only gets sharper. Maybe you cut the run short, hoping a few days off will sort it. Then next time? It’s back again. If this sounds like you, there’s a fair chance you’re dealing with ITB Syndrome — and it’s something we see all the time here at Invigor Health, especially among runners training in the Eastern Suburbs, around Bondi Junction and Maroubra. The good news? It’s fixable — and you’re not alone. What Actually Is ITB Syndrome? The iliotibial band (or ITB) is a thick strip of tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh, from your hip to your knee. It helps stabilise your leg when you walk, run or cycle. But when it’s under too much strain, it can start to rub against the outside of your knee — and that’s when pain sets in. This usually starts off as a niggle and gets progressively sharper as you run. You might not feel it walking around, but once you hit a certain pace or distance, it flares up. That’s ITB Syndrome. Common Signs You’re Dealing with ITBS Here’s how it often shows up: A sharp, burning pain on the outside of the knee while running It usually kicks in after a few minutes or kilometres. It can get worse going downhill or downstairs It sometimes feels like a tight band down the outside of the thigh Once you stop running, the pain often eases off — until the next time It’s a frustrating cycle, especially if you’re building towards a race or trying to stay consistent with your training. Why Does It Happen? The short answer? Your body is trying to keep up with what you’re asking of it — and something’s not quite holding up its end. Here are a few common culprits: A big jump in running load — longer distances, more hills, not enough recovery Weakness in the hips or glutes, which throws off your leg mechanics Repeating the same type of run over and over (especially if it’s on uneven ground or always the same side of the road) Worn-out shoes, or shoes that just don’t suit your running style A running technique that puts too much pressure on the outside of your knee Most of the time, it’s not one single thing — it’s a combination of little things that build up. How Physio Can Actually Help At Invigor Health, we’re not just about short-term fixes — we’re here to figure out why the pain started and what it’ll take to get you back running comfortably and consistently. Here’s what treatment usually involves: A proper look at how you move We check how your hips, knees, and feet work together when you run or squat. Often the issue isn’t where the pain is — it’s somewhere upstream. A strength plan that actually makes sense for you We focus on building strength where it matters — mostly around your hips, glutes, and core — so your body can handle the loads of running without overloading the ITB. Hands-on treatment to ease tight spots That might mean soft tissue work, massage, or muscle release to calm things down while you build strength in the background. Small tweaks to how you run You don’t need to reinvent your stride, but sometimes a slight change in cadence or posture can take pressure off the outside of your knee. We’ll help you figure out what works for your body. A sensible return-to-running plan No guesswork, no boom-and-bust cycle. Just a gradual build-up that helps you stay consistent — and pain-free. And What About Foam Rolling? You’ve probably seen people roll the side of their leg like they’re trying to iron out a wrinkle. Truth is, you can’t actually “loosen” the IT band — it’s not a muscle. But foam rolling the muscles around it (like your glutes and outer quads) can help. We’ll show you how to do it in a way that actually feels good and supports your recovery. Don’t Just Push Through It If your knee’s been giving you grief every time you run, it’s probably not going to sort itself out with just a few days off. But with the right support and a bit of guidance, you can get past it — and often come back stronger than before. We’ve helped runners of all levels in Bondi Junction, Maroubra, and around the Eastern Suburbs get back on track — from first-time 5K runners to seasoned marathoners. Let’s Get You Running Again (Without the Knee Pain) If this sounds like what you’ve been dealing with, we’re here to help. Book an appointment with our physio team and let’s figure out what’s going on, what your body needs, and how to get you back out there — pain-free and confident. Invigor Health | Bondi Junction & Maroubra