Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, or ESWT, is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted acoustic pulses to stimulate healing in stubborn soft-tissue and tendon conditions. Unlike surgery or injections, it works with your body’s own repair mechanisms to resolve pain that has not responded to other treatments.

This page covers how shockwave therapy works, the conditions it treats, and what you can expect during a session.

How Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Works

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy delivers high-energy sound waves directly to the injured area. These pulses stimulate blood flow, break down calcified tissue, and encourage the body to produce new, healthy cells in the affected tendon or ligament. The result is a natural healing response triggered in the tissue itself, accelerating recovery without the need for drugs or invasive procedures.

Conditions It Treats

ESWT is most effective for chronic, localised pain conditions that have not settled with rest or physiotherapy:

Condition

What It is

Why ESWT Helps

Plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the heel’s connective tissue

Breaks down scar tissue, boosts blood flow

Achilles tendinopathy

Degeneration of the Achilles tendon

Stimulates tendon repair and collagen growth

Shin splints

Pain along the shin bone

Reduces inflammation in the periosteum

Tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow

Tendon strain at the elbow

Promotes healing in overused tendons

Your podiatrist will confirm whether the condition is suitable at your assessment.

Conditions It Treats

ESWT is most effective for chronic, localised pain conditions that have not settled with rest or physiotherapy:

Your podiatrist will confirm whether the condition is suitable at your assessment.

What to Expect During a Session

A session is quick and typically painless. Gel is applied to the skin over the target area, and a handheld probe delivers the pulses while your podiatrist adjusts the intensity for comfort. Most sessions last 15–20 minutes, and you may feel a mild tingling or tapping sensation.

A course of several sessions, usually a week apart, is typically recommended for best results, with improvement building progressively.

Safety and Suitability

ESWT is a safe, non-invasive option for most patients. It is not recommended during pregnancy, in the presence of certain blood-clotting disorders, or directly over areas with active infection or cancer. Your podiatrist reviews your history at the initial assessment to confirm ESWT is the right fit before any treatment begins.

Move Without Pain

We provide ESWT at our clinic, starting with a full assessment to confirm the condition is suitable. Each session is comfortable and requires no downtime, so you can get back to your day immediately while the healing works in the background.