How shockwave therapy works
Shockwave therapy (extracorporeal shockwave therapy, ESWT) uses high-pressure acoustic waves that penetrate deep into the tissue. Unlike ultrasound, which works thermally, shockwave works mechanically — it directly stimulates tissue regeneration, breaks down calcific deposits and activates the body’s natural healing processes in conditions that have been “stuck” for months.
The effect is cumulative: the body responds to every session, and the full result is usually seen 6–8 weeks after the series is completed. That’s why patience is part of the therapy.
Conditions that respond well to shockwave
Heel spur and plantar fasciitis — pain with the first steps in the morning, tightness in the sole of the foot, difficulty walking for longer periods. One of the most common reasons people come to the center. Shockwave has a very high success rate for these conditions in clinical studies.
Shoulder calcific deposits — calcium builds up in a tendon (most often the supraspinatus), causing pain when raising the arm and at night. Shockwave directly breaks down the deposits and helps the body reabsorb them.
Achilles tendon (tendinopathy) — chronic pain and morning stiffness in the tendon. For tendinopathies that don’t respond to exercise, shockwave is the first-choice therapy according to current clinical guidelines.
Tennis and golfer’s elbow — persistent pain on the outer or inner side of the elbow that lasts for months. Shockwave stimulates healing in tissue that has stalled.
Patellar tendon (jumper’s knee) — pain below the kneecap that troubles recreational athletes and competitive sportspeople alike. Responds excellently to a combination of shockwave and eccentric exercise.
What to expect during treatment
The treatment is intense — a feeling of pressure and vibration in the treated area is normal and stops as soon as the device is moved. After the session, a short-term increase in pain is possible (24–48 hours), which is a normal tissue response to stimulation, not a sign that something went wrong.
Sessions are done once a week. The standard series is 3–5 sessions, sometimes 6 for more stubborn conditions.