Shockwave Therapy for Stubborn Tendon Pain: Who It Helps and How It Works
If you’ve been dealing with heel pain, elbow pain, or a nagging tendon issue that just won’t go away — even after rest, stretching, and other treatments — you’re not alone. Chronic tendon pain is one of the most frustrating conditions to live with. The good news? A treatment called shockwave therapy is helping many people finally get relief.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic sound waves directly into a painful area of your body. These sound waves create a controlled stimulus that triggers your body’s natural healing processes.
Think of it like jumpstarting a car battery. When a tendon or heel has been painful for months, the tissue often stops healing on its own. Shockwave therapy provides the signal your body needs to get the healing process moving again.
At Wellness Place, our physiotherapists use shockwave therapy as part of a comprehensive approach to treating stubborn musculoskeletal conditions — particularly those involving tendons and the plantar fascia.
What Conditions Does It Treat?
Shockwave therapy is best known for treating conditions where tendons and connective tissue become painful and fail to heal properly. These include:
- Plantar fasciitis — pain on the bottom of the heel
- Achilles tendinopathy — pain at the back of the ankle
- Patellar tendinopathy — pain just below the kneecap
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — outer elbow pain
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy — shoulder pain with overhead movement
- Calcific tendinitis — calcium deposits in a tendon causing pain
Why Tendons Are Especially Hard to Heal
Tendons have a poor blood supply compared to muscles. This means they receive fewer nutrients and healing signals after an injury. When pain persists for more than a few months, the tendon tissue can change structurally — a condition called tendinopathy — making it even harder to recover with rest alone.
This is exactly where shockwave therapy shines. Research published in peer-reviewed journals has shown that shockwave therapy promotes new blood vessel formation and stimulates collagen production — both critical for tendon repair.
The Research Behind Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy isn’t a passing trend. It has a solid foundation of clinical evidence supporting its use for tendon pain.
A randomized controlled trial published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that extracorporeal shockwave therapy significantly reduced pain and improved function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, with benefits maintained at follow-up. You can read the study here: PMC4448151.
Additional research examining shockwave therapy for tendinopathy more broadly has demonstrated meaningful improvements in pain scores and patient-reported outcomes compared to placebo treatments. A study available through PubMed supports its use across multiple tendon sites, noting that shockwave is particularly effective when conservative treatments such as physiotherapy exercises alone have not provided adequate relief: PubMed 22872527.
What to Expect During a Shockwave Treatment
A typical shockwave therapy session at our clinic takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Your physiotherapist will apply a gel to the skin over the treatment area, then use a handheld device to deliver the acoustic waves. Most patients describe the sensation as a rhythmic tapping or pressure — it can be mildly uncomfortable over the most tender spot, but the treatment is well-tolerated.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Most people see meaningful improvement after three to five sessions, typically scheduled one week apart. Some patients notice a reduction in pain after just one or two treatments, while others with more longstanding conditions may need a slightly longer course of care. Your physiotherapist will assess your progress and adjust the plan accordingly.
Is It Right for You?
Shockwave therapy works best for people who have had tendon or heel pain for at least six weeks and have not found lasting relief with rest, stretching, or other first-line treatments. It is not recommended for those who are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, or have an active infection or tumour near the treatment site.
If you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis or another chronic tendon condition, it’s worth having a conversation with one of our physiotherapists about whether shockwave therapy could be a good fit for your situation.
Take the Next Step Toward Pain-Free Movement
Chronic tendon pain doesn’t have to be something you just live with. Shockwave therapy offers a clinically supported, non-surgical option that gets to the root of why your tissue isn’t healing — and gives it the push it needs to finally recover.
Our team at Wellness Place in Newmarket is here to help you get back to the activities you love. Reach out today to book an assessment and find out if shockwave therapy is right for you.