What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses a handheld device that sends short, strong pressure pulses through the skin into a sore spot. The pulses are not electrical and they are not radiation.
It is mostly used for tendon problems and heel pain that have lasted months and have not eased with simple measures.
What does a session feel like?
The pulses feel like rapid tapping, and over a tender spot they can be uncomfortable or sharp for a few minutes. You can ask for the strength to be lowered at any time.
Some soreness for a day or two afterwards is normal. The physiotherapist will tell you which activities to ease off.
Why does it matter for a patient?
A stubborn tendon can mean the tendon is overloaded and under-strong. Shockwave may help calm pain, but the load plan, footwear and strength work decide whether it stays calmer.
Ask what the plan is alongside the device, and how long the visit series is expected to run before you both review. Ask also what it costs, because prices differ.
An everyday example in Ipoh
A hawker stall worker stands on tiled floors for long hours and has had heel pain for months. A physiotherapist checks his calf strength and footwear, uses shockwave over the tender point on two visits, and builds a calf-strengthening plan.
He swaps flat sandals for a supportive pair at the stall and finds that mornings become easier by the weekend.
Related terms and our pages
- Tendinopathy: a tendon that hurts under load.
- Eccentric exercise: slow lowering movements used to load tendons.
- Ultrasound therapy: a gentler, different device.
See plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow for how we plan around them.