What Is Shockwave Therapy and Is It Right for You?
If you have been dealing with chronic tendon pain, heel pain or a stubborn injury that has not responded to other treatments, your physiotherapist may have mentioned shockwave therapy. At Burwood Physio, we offer both radial and focused shockwave therapy and have seen excellent results for a range of conditions.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) uses high-energy acoustic (sound) waves delivered through the skin to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The term “shockwave” can sound alarming, but the waves are acoustic — not electrical — and are targeted precisely at the affected tissue.
There are two types used in physiotherapy:
- Radial shockwave therapy (RSWT): Waves spread out from the applicator over a wider area. Most effective for superficial conditions and large areas of the body.
- Focused shockwave therapy (FSWT): Waves are concentrated at a precise depth. Useful for deeper structures and calcific conditions.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
The acoustic waves create microtrauma at the cellular level in the targeted tissue. This stimulates the body’s healing response, including:
- Increased blood flow and growth factor production
- Breakdown of calcific deposits
- Stimulation of collagen production for tendon repair
- Pain reduction via changes to nerve cell activity
What Conditions Does Shockwave Therapy Treat?
Shockwave therapy has the strongest clinical evidence for:
- Plantar fasciitis — chronic heel pain, especially when other treatments have not worked
- Achilles tendinopathy — both mid-portion and insertional
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Calcific shoulder tendinitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (lateral hip pain)
- Hamstring tendinopathy
Does Shockwave Therapy Hurt?
Many patients experience some discomfort during treatment, particularly over the area of maximum tenderness. This is temporary and usually settles within 24 hours. The sensation is often described as a tapping or pressure feeling. We adjust the intensity to your comfort level.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Most patients require between 3 and 6 sessions, each lasting 15–20 minutes, spaced approximately one week apart. Many patients notice a significant improvement after the third session.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?
Shockwave therapy is most appropriate for chronic conditions (lasting more than 3 months) that have not responded to standard physiotherapy, exercise therapy or anti-inflammatory treatment. It is not suitable during pregnancy, over areas with active infection or over nerve tissue.
Book a consultation at Burwood Physio and we will assess whether shockwave therapy is appropriate for your condition. Book online or call 02 8322 9022. Shop 2, 36-38 Victoria St East, Burwood NSW 2134.
Reviewed by the Burwood Physio Clinical Team
BPhty (Hons) | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapists | Member, Australian Physiotherapy Association
Our clinical team has over 20 years of combined experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports rehabilitation, and pain management. All content is reviewed for clinical accuracy and updated in line with current evidence-based practice guidelines. Meet our team →