RehabWorks Physical Therapy & Rapid Recovery Centers
A focused approach to pain relief and recovery.
Focal shockwave therapy is a noninvasive treatment that may help reduce pain and improve function in selected muscle, tendon, and other musculoskeletal conditions. At RehabWorks, your goals guide the conversation—from comfortable daily walks to getting back on the golf course.
Request a Shockwave EvaluationWhat is focal shockwave therapy?
Also called focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), this treatment delivers acoustic energy through the skin to a targeted area. It is used to stimulate biological responses involved in tissue repair and pain modulation, without an incision.
Focused shockwaves concentrate energy at a selected depth. Radial pressure-wave devices distribute energy more broadly near the surface. The appropriate approach depends on your diagnosis and the tissue being treated.
Start with the right diagnosis
Conditions that may benefit
Heel & Achilles pain
Persistent plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy.
Elbow & shoulder pain
Tennis elbow and selected cases of calcific shoulder tendinopathy.
Knee & outer hip pain
Patellar tendinopathy and greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
Chronic low back pain
May be considered for selected cases after evaluation. Early studies of focused shockwave suggest potential benefits, but evidence is limited and long-term results remain uncertain.
Muscle & trigger-point pain
Selected myofascial pain conditions involving tender muscle trigger points. Suitability depends on the source and location of your symptoms.
Upper hamstring pain
Proximal hamstring tendinopathy, which can cause pain near the sitting bone. An examination helps distinguish tendon pain from other causes.
Evidence and outcomes vary by condition. These examples do not mean shockwave is appropriate for every patient with pain in these areas. An evaluation helps determine whether it belongs in your care plan.
Your care starts with you
Our Hospitality Care approach means listening to your concerns, explaining your options, and connecting treatment to the activities that matter to you. We consider your symptoms, movement, medical history, and previous treatment before recommending the next step.
1. Evaluate
Discuss your symptoms and goals, identify the likely source of pain, and review whether further testing or referral is needed.
2. Personalize
If appropriate, discuss shockwave treatment alongside exercise, activity guidance, and other elements of your rehabilitation.
3. Reassess
Track your comfort and function, discuss your response, and adjust the plan as your needs change.
Common questions
What does treatment feel like?
You may feel repeated tapping or pressure and some discomfort over the treatment area. Tell your clinician how it feels. Temporary soreness, redness, swelling, or bruising can occur.
Can focal shockwave help low back pain?
It may be an option for selected chronic low back pain cases as part of a broader rehabilitation plan. Research is still developing, and benefits depend on the diagnosis. It is not an established treatment for correcting a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression. Your clinician will assess the source of pain and whether shockwave is appropriate.
How many sessions will I need?
The number and spacing of sessions depend on your condition and response. Your clinician will explain the proposed plan and when to reassess. Improvement is not guaranteed and may develop gradually.
Does shockwave replace physical therapy?
It can be one part of a rehabilitation plan. Your clinician may also recommend exercises and activity changes to address strength, movement, and the demands placed on the affected tissue.
Is it right for everyone?
No. Tell your clinician about pregnancy, blood thinners or bleeding disorders, cancer, implanted devices, and other medical conditions. Suitability depends on the treatment area, device, and energy level.
What does it cost, and where is it available?
Contact RehabWorks to confirm current pricing, any applicable coverage, and the clinic offering focal shockwave for your needs before scheduling treatment.
Let's talk about your next step.
Ask whether focal shockwave therapy could fit your recovery plan.
Contact RehabWorksPatient education references: ISMST indications and contraindications; Wang, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2012). Focused shockwave for low back pain: systematic review (2024); Shockwave in athletes and active individuals: systematic review (2024). General information; individual evaluation is required.