Does a physiotherapy perform shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses a handheld device to deliver mechanical energy to a selected area, often near a tendon or other painful soft tissue. The physiotherapist first checks your symptoms, examination findings, medicines and relevant medical history. Treatment settings and the area treated are chosen for your presentation rather than applied automatically.

You may feel tapping, pressure or discomfort while the device is used. The session is commonly followed by advice about activity and exercises that build capacity. Shockwave therapy does not replace diagnosis, load management or strengthening when those are needed for recovery.

Tell the clinician about blood-thinning medicines, bleeding problems, pregnancy, nerve symptoms, infection, recent injections and any implanted device or significant medical condition. Follow instructions about exercise and strenuous activity after treatment. Report marked bruising, worsening pain or skin changes rather than increasing the treatment intensity yourself.

Wear clothing that allows access to the painful area and describe exactly where symptoms are felt. Ask how many sessions may be considered, what improvement to monitor and which exercises support the treatment.

Seek prompt care for sudden loss of strength, a new inability to use the limb, rapidly increasing swelling, severe unrelenting pain, fever, spreading redness or numbness. Stop treatment and contact the clinic if symptoms are unusually severe or if the treated area develops a concerning skin reaction.

Ask what diagnosis the treatment is intended to support, why it suits you, what alternatives exist, how exercise will be combined with it and when progress should be reviewed. See [Shockwave Therapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/shockwave-therapy/) for more detail.