What Does Shockwave Therapy Treat?

A handheld device sends pressure waves through the skin toward a painful area. A clinician first identifies the tissue involved and checks whether the diagnosis suits this approach. The treatment is commonly considered when symptoms have continued despite activity adjustment, exercise, and other rehabilitation measures. It is not a universal treatment for every source of pain, and a bone injury, nerve problem, infection, or unexplained swelling needs a different assessment. Shockwave therapy is often paired with a progressive exercise programme.

Bring details of previous treatment, medicines, injuries, and any condition affecting healing or bleeding. Wear clothing that allows access to the painful region. During treatment, tell the clinician if the intensity is difficult to tolerate so it can be adjusted. Follow the recommended exercise and activity plan afterward rather than judging the treatment by immediate sensations alone. Ask how many sessions may be considered and what improvement would count as meaningful.

Tell the treating clinician before a session if you have a new injury, marked swelling, skin infection, reduced sensation, or a bleeding concern. Seek medical advice for severe or unusual pain, increasing redness, significant swelling, fever, or new weakness after treatment. Persistent pain also deserves reassessment to confirm that the original diagnosis remains appropriate.

What tissue is causing my symptoms, and why might shockwave therapy suit it? What other rehabilitation should accompany treatment? Are there reasons I should avoid it? How will we judge progress, and what should I do if symptoms worsen?