Understanding the Impact of Shockwave Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain
- Jonathan Hall
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Shockwave therapy has become a cornerstone of modern, evidence-based musculoskeletal care. As a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate tissue repair, it offers an effective alternative to surgery, corticosteroid injections, and long-term medication for many chronic conditions. At Movement Mechanics Osteopathy, shockwave therapy is integrated within a comprehensive osteopathic and rehabilitation framework to optimise both short- and long-term outcomes.
Understanding the true impact of shockwave therapy beyond marketing claims allows patients, referrers, and clinicians to make informed decisions. Supported by high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) demonstrates consistent benefits for tendinopathies, plantar fasciopathy, and calcific shoulder conditions when applied with correct dosing and clinical reasoning (Rompe et al., 2009; Gerdesmeyer et al., 2008).
What Are the Key Benefits of Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy works by delivering mechanical acoustic waves into targeted tissues. These waves stimulate mechanotransduction pathways that promote angiogenesis, collagen remodelling, and pain modulation—key processes in musculoskeletal healing (Wang, 2012).
Core Evidence-Based Benefits
Non-invasive treatment - no incisions, injections, or anaesthesia
Pain reduction – particularly effective in chronic tendinopathies and plantar fasciitis
Improved mobility and function – via reduced stiffness and improved tissue load tolerance
Accelerated tissue healing – stimulation of cellular regeneration and collagen alignment
Minimal side effects – excellent safety profile when appropriately applied
These benefits make shockwave therapy especially valuable in cases where symptoms have persisted beyond 3–6 months and conventional loading-based rehabilitation alone has plateaued.
Close-up view of a shockwave therapy device used in treatment
How Do Shockwave Benefits Work in Clinical Practice?
In practice, shockwave therapy is most effective when applied as part of a structured treatment pathway. Acoustic waves penetrate deep into poorly vascularised tissues, helping to disrupt pathological nociceptive signalling while simultaneously stimulating biological repair mechanisms (Speed, 2014).
Examples of Clinical Application
Plantar fasciopathy – ESWT improves pain and function by stimulating neovascularisation and reducing plantar fascia degeneration (Gerdesmeyer et al., 2008).
Achilles tendinopathy – significant improvements are seen when shockwave is combined with progressive tendon loading (Rompe et al., 2009).
Calcific shoulder tendinopathy – focused shockwave therapy assists in calcium deposit fragmentation and resorption, improving shoulder mobility and pain scores (Hsu et al., 2008).
At Movement Mechanics, shockwave therapy is often combined with osteopathic manual therapy, Western medical acupuncture, and progressive exercise rehabilitation, aligning with best-practice recommendations from contemporary sports medicine literature.
Practical Recommendations for Patients Considering Shockwave Therapy
What to Expect
Consultation first – thorough assessment to confirm diagnosis and suitability
Treatment duration – typically 15–20 minutes per session
Course of care – commonly 3–6 sessions depending on condition and chronicity
Active rehabilitation – exercises prescribed to reinforce tissue adaptation
Patients are encouraged to track functional changes not just pain such as walking tolerance, load capacity, and sporting performance.
Common Conditions Treated with Shockwave Therapy
Frequently Treated Presentations
Plantar fasciitis / plantar fasciopathy - Inflammation of the tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) - Painful inflammation of the elbow tendons.
Calcific shoulder tendinopathy - Calcium deposits causing shoulder pain and stiffness.
Achilles tendinopathy - Degeneration of the Achilles tendon leading to pain and swelling.
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee) - Also known as jumper’s knee, affecting the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone.
Across these conditions, high-quality evidence consistently demonstrates meaningful improvements in pain and function compared with placebo or minimal-intervention controls (PEDro ≥7), particularly in chronic cases.
Safety, Side Effects, and Contraindications
Shockwave therapy has an excellent safety profile. Reported side effects are typically mild and transient:
Temporary redness or swelling
Minor bruising
Short-term discomfort during application
Contraindications may include active infection, malignancy at the treatment site, pregnancy over the area, or significant bleeding disorders. A qualified clinician will screen for these prior to treatment.
Accessing Shockwave Therapy in Auckland
For those seeking shockwave therapy in Auckland, choosing a clinic that combines advanced technology with clinical expertise is critical. At Movement Mechanics Osteopathy, treatment plans are individualised and grounded in both current research and real-world clinical outcomes.
What to Look for in a Provider
Experienced, registered practitioners
Evidence-based treatment protocols
Modern radial and/or focused shockwave equipment
Transparent communication around goals and expectations
The Future of Pain Management with Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy represents a shift toward regenerative, non-invasive pain management. As research continues to refine dosing parameters and indications, its role within allied health and sports medicine is only expanding.
For patients managing persistent musculoskeletal pain—or clinicians seeking effective, evidence-supported referral options—shockwave therapy offers a compelling balance of safety, efficacy, and long-term functional improvement.
Jonathan Hall M.Ost, BAppSci (Human Biology), PGCertHSc (Acupuncture), GradDipHeal
Jonathan Hall is the founder and principal Osteopath at Movement Mechanics Osteopathy. Jonathan specialises in Shockwave Therapy and Western medical acupuncture and a Key opinion leader for EMS Swiss DolorClast. A fully qualified Osteopath registered with OCNZ, PNZ, PAANZ and ACC, Jonathan also founded Auckland Shockwave Therapy to help bring evidence-based Shockwave treatment to New Zealand using the industry-leading EMS Radial Shock Wave device.
Book an appointment with Jonathan here.
Contact Us: hello@movementmechanics.nz
References
Gerdesmeyer, L., Frey, C., Vester, J., Maier, M., Weil, L., Weil, L., & Lohrer, H. (2008). Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(11), 2100–2109.
Hsu, C. J., Wang, D. Y., Tseng, K. F., Fong, Y. C., Hsu, H. C., & Jim, Y. F. (2008). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 17(1), 55–59.
Rompe, J. D., Furia, J., & Maffulli, N. (2009). Eccentric loading compared with shock wave treatment for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 90(1), 52–61.
Speed, C. (2014). A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions: Focusing on the evidence. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(21), 1538–1542.
Wang, C. J. (2012). Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 7, 11.
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