Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment without needles or significant down time that stimulates the body’s healing process. The shockwave device sends acoustic (sound/pressure) shock waves into soft tissue or bone, breaking up scarring and promoting remodeling. It typically consists of 3-6 sessions spaced roughly 1 week apart. Shockwave was originally used to break up kidney stones and gallstones, and may be especially helpful breaking up calcium deposits in tendons (calcific tendinopathies).

Further reading about shockwave includes the following:

Plantar fasciitis

• High success rate
• Shockwave compared to controls
• Further studies compared to control groups

Patellar tendinopathy

• Shockwave compared to conservative management

Achilles tendinopathy

• Shockwave compared to controls

Calcific tendinopathy

• Calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder compared to controls