Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy

Non-surgical treatment for chronic tendon and soft tissue pain

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses mechanical or acoustic pressure waves or both to stimulate healing in injured or chronically painful tissues. ESWT is typically used for tendon and fascia injuries that have not improved with rest, physical therapy (PT) or injections.

What Shockwave Therapy Can Help Treat

• Shockwave therapy may be recommended for:
• Plantar fasciitis or heel pain
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinopathy or jumper’s knee
• Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis
• Golfer’s elbow or medial epicondylitis
• Shoulder tendinopathy or calcific tendonitis
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome or gluteal tendinopathy
• Hamstring tendinopathy
• Neck and back pain
• Joint pain

If you’ve had symptoms longer than 3 months, shockwave may be an excellent option.

How ESWT Works

There are different types of shockwave therapy. Focused shockwave therapy concentrates energy at specific depths via targeted acoustic waves into injured tissue. Radial shockwave disperses mechanical energy, reaching more diffuse and broad tissue areas. Treatment may:

• Stimulate blood flow and tissue metabolism
• Decrease pain signaling
• Break up chronic scar tissue orcalcification in select cases
• Promote a healing response in degenerative tendons
• Treat the surrounding tissue within the kinetic chain that may be contributing to the pain
• What to Expect During Treatment

Shockwave is performed in our office and usually takes 10–15 minutes.

What To Expect?

• No anesthesia required
• No incisions
• No needles
• You can typically return to normal daily activity immediately

Some soreness or pain can occur after treatment, similar to a workout soreness, and usually resolves within 24-72 hours.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

Most protocols involve 3-6 sessions, typically spaced a week apart. Many patients notice improvement immediately, and with continued progress over 6-12 weeks, depending on the condition and severity.

Is Shockwave Safe?

Shockwave therapy is considered a safe, non-invasive, and FDA-cleared procedure for treating various chronic musculoskeletal conditions. When performed by a trained physician with appropriate patient selection. Common temporary effects include mild pain during treatment, some bruising, soreness or temporary skin redness. Your physician will review your history and determine if shockwave is appropriate for you.

References:
Tenforde AS, Borgstrom HE, DeLuca S, McCormack M, Singh M, Hoo JS, Yun PH. Best practices for extracorporeal shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal medicine: Clinical application and training consideration. PM R. 2022 May;14(5):611-619.

Lippi L, Folli A, Moalli S, Turco A, Ammendolia A, de Sire A, Invernizzi M. Efficacy and tolerability of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with plantar fasciopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2024 Oct;60(5):832-846

Majidi L, Khateri S, Nikbakht N, Moradi Y, Nikoo MR. The effect of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy on pain in patients with various tendinopathies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 Apr 24;16(1):93.