Raynen Therapies | Pain Relief • Recovery • Movement Health
If you’ve been dealing with stubborn joint or muscle pain, plantar fasciitis, tendon injuries, or long-term inflammation, you’ve probably heard a lot about two highly popular treatments in 2025: Shockwave Therapy and Laser Therapy (including Bioflex Laser Therapy). Both are widely used in modern physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Both are research-backed. And both can significantly reduce pain and speed up recovery.
But which one actually works better for your condition?
This blog breaks it down in a clear, simple, and practical way so you can understand how each treatment works, who it’s ideal for, and how to choose the right option for your pain.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy sound waves that penetrate deep into muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These waves stimulate a strong healing response by increasing blood flow, breaking down scar tissue, improving collagen formation, and reducing pain signals.
Best For
• Chronic tendon pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tennis elbow
• Runner’s knee
• Calcific tendonitis
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Long-standing muscle tightness or trigger points
Shockwave works especially well for injuries that haven’t improved after three or more months of pain. The treatment is fast and can be slightly uncomfortable, but it is very tolerable and lasts only a few minutes.
What Is Laser Therapy (Bioflex Laser)?
Laser Therapy uses red and infrared light to reduce inflammation and improve tissue healing at a cellular level. The Bioflex system used at Raynen Therapies is one of the most advanced in Canada. It increases circulation, decreases swelling, stimulates cell repair, and improves overall tissue recovery.
Best For
• Acute or inflamed injuries
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Back pain
• Disc bulges
• Arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Sciatica
• Nerve pain
• Sports injuries
• Post-surgical healing
Laser therapy is completely painless, relaxing, and ideal for anyone who prefers a gentle treatment or is sensitive to manual therapy.
Shockwave vs. Laser Therapy: Which Works Better?
Both treatments are effective, but they serve different purposes. The simplest way to compare them is based on pain type and tissue needs.
Feature Shockwave Therapy Laser Therapy (Bioflex)
Best For Chronic tendon and joint issues Acute or chronic inflammation
Pain During Treatment Mild discomfort None
Tissue Depth Very deep, targets thick and chronic tissue Deep but gentle, targets cells and nerves
Ideal For Long-standing injuries Inflammation, nerve pain, arthritis
Session Duration 5–10 minutes 20–30 minutes
After-Effects Temporary soreness possible No soreness
When Shockwave Therapy Is the Better Choice
You should consider Shockwave if:
• Your pain has lasted longer than three months
• You’ve tried physiotherapy or stretching and still have persistent symptoms
• Your tendon is thickened, stiff, or has calcification
• You want a treatment that breaks down chronic scar tissue and speeds up repair
Shockwave excels for conditions like plantar fasciitis, chronic Achilles pain, and stubborn elbow or knee tendon issues.
When Laser Therapy Is the Better Choice
You should consider Laser Therapy if:
• Your pain is new or recently flared
• There is inflammation or swelling
• You have nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or radiating pain
• You prefer a soothing, gentle treatment
• You want a non-invasive, drug-free solution with no discomfort
Laser is particularly effective for neck and back pain, sciatica, disc issues, and arthritis.
Can You Combine Both Therapies?
Yes. In fact, one of the strongest rehab trends in 2025 is combining Shockwave and Laser Therapy for faster and longer-lasting results.
Shockwave first breaks down tight, damaged, or chronic tissue. Laser then reduces inflammation and accelerates cellular repair.
This combination works extremely well for chronic tendon injuries, rotator cuff issues, hip bursitis, knee pain, and sports injuries.
What Recent Research Shows (2024–2025)
• Shockwave Therapy shows a 70–85% success rate for chronic tendon conditions
• Laser Therapy reduces pain intensity by up to 60% within a few sessions
• Combined therapy often leads to better and faster recovery in long-standing injuries
• Laser is especially effective for nerve-related and inflammatory pain
• Shockwave provides quicker improvement for thick, stiff, chronic tissues
Overall, both therapies are highly effective, but the right choice depends on your specific condition and pain pattern.
How to Decide Which Treatment You Need
A simple guideline:
• If your pain is chronic, choose Shockwave.
• If your pain is inflamed or nerve-related, choose Laser.
• If you want the best results in the shortest time, combine both.
At Raynen Therapies, your therapist will assess your movement, pain history, lifestyle demands, and functional limitations. You don’t need to guess — the right treatment plan is designed for you.
Book Your Treatment at Raynen Therapies
If persistent pain, inflammation, or stiffness is slowing you down, our team is here to help you recover faster. We offer both Shockwave Therapy and Bioflex Laser Therapy as part of personalized physiotherapy and rehabilitation plans.
Book your session today and take the first step toward long-lasting pain relief and better movement.
