Shockwave therapy
Explore what shockwave treatment involves, why evidence varies by condition and what to ask about risks and expected benefit.
An individual assessment helps establish whether this option is suitable. Tell your clinician about medical conditions, recent injuries, pregnancy and medicines before starting care.
A treatment using mechanical waves
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy uses a device outside the body to deliver mechanical pressure waves to a targeted area. It is sometimes considered for persistent tendon or plantar-heel symptoms, usually alongside rehabilitation. Different devices and protocols are used; results for one problem cannot be assumed to apply to every painful condition.
What the evidence can and cannot tell you
An explanation about tissue response or blood flow is not proof that a treatment will improve your symptoms. NICE’s guidance for persistent plantar fasciitis described inconsistent evidence of effectiveness and the importance of explaining uncertainty. Discuss evidence for your actual diagnosis, expected size of benefit and reasonable alternatives. Guaranteed relief after the first session is not a sound expectation.
Risks and suitability
Treatment can be uncomfortable. Temporary redness, swelling, bruising, pain or altered sensation can occur; tendon rupture is a rare reported risk. Tell the clinician about blood-thinning medicines, bleeding problems, pregnancy, implanted devices, local infection and recent injections or injury. Suitability and precautions depend on your circumstances and the treatment protocol. Do not stop prescribed medicines yourself.
A clear treatment agreement
Ask how many sessions are proposed, the total likely cost and when you will decide whether it is helping. Agree on activity and exercise advice after treatment. The plan should explain what to do if symptoms worsen and when another assessment or referral is appropriate.
Explore related conditions
Read the guides to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon pain and tennis elbow. Availability of a device is not, by itself, a reason to select it.
Make your appointment useful
Bring a brief history of the symptoms, relevant reports and your medicines list. Explain which activities matter most to you and what you have already tried. Ask what diagnosis best explains the findings, what would change that diagnosis and how you will measure progress.
Agree on what to do between appointments, how to adjust activity if symptoms change and when to review the plan. Tell your practitioner if treatment causes a new problem or progress stalls.
Finding care in Melbourne’s north
People in Epping, Mill Park, Lalor, Reservoir and surrounding northern suburbs can contact Muscle Joint Bone about an appropriate appointment. The clinic is at 26 Childs Road, Epping. Confirm the relevant practitioner’s scope and current availability when booking.
Sources and further reading
- Northern Spinal: original topic
- NICE: shockwave therapy for refractory plantar fasciitis
- Kent Community Health NHS: treatment and risks
General education, updated November 2026. This information does not replace an individual assessment.
