Shockwave Therapy Adelaide CBD

• Non-invasive treatment
• No surgery or injections
• Minimal downtime
• Short treatment sessions
• Supported by research for selected chronic tendon conditions
• Integrated with physiotherapy for optimal recovery

At Therapia Sports & Spine, Shockwave Therapy is never used as a standalone treatment.

Depending on your condition, your rehabilitation program may include:

• Progressive strengthening exercises
• Tendon loading programs
• Mobility and flexibility training
• Hands-on physiotherapy
• Movement retraining
• Return-to-work planning
• Return-to-sport rehabilitation

Treating both the symptoms and the underlying cause of your condition helps achieve better long-term outcomes.

You may benefit from Shockwave Therapy if:

✔ You’ve had pain for longer than 6 to 12 weeks

✔ Previous treatment hasn’t provided lasting improvement

✔ You have a diagnosed chronic tendinopathy

✔ Pain is limiting work, exercise, or daily activities

✔ You’re looking for a non-surgical treatment option

A thorough assessment will determine whether Shockwave Therapy is appropriate for your condition.

Shockwave Therapy may not be recommended if you have:

• Pregnancy
• Active infection near the treatment area
• Certain tumours or malignancies
• A recent corticosteroid injection into the treatment area
• Significant bleeding disorders
• Acute fractures
• Open wounds over the treatment area

Your physiotherapist will discuss any precautions before treatment.

Your first appointment begins with a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment to understand your symptoms, identify the underlying cause, and determine whether Shockwave Therapy is appropriate.

The treatment itself usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, with the overall appointment including assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation advice.

Most patients describe the sensation as a rapid tapping over the affected area. While treatment can feel mildly uncomfortable, it is generally well tolerated and can be adjusted to suit your comfort.

Depending on your condition, most treatment plans involve 3 to 6 sessions, alongside a structured exercise program.

Following treatment, you may experience mild soreness, redness, or tenderness for a day or two. These effects are temporary and usually settle without intervention.

• Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of persistent heel pain. When symptoms become ongoing, Shockwave Therapy may help reduce pain and support healing. Combined with stretching, strengthening, and load management, it can improve function and help you return to daily activities.

• Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Tendinopathy often causes pain and stiffness during walking, running, and sport. Shockwave Therapy may help reduce symptoms and support tendon recovery when combined with progressive calf strengthening and tendon loading exercises.

• Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow and is often caused by repetitive gripping or lifting activities. Shockwave Therapy may help reduce pain and improve tendon healing, particularly in long-standing cases.

Shockwave Therapy is commonly used for chronic tendon and soft tissue conditions, including:

Foot & Ankle

• Plantar Fasciitis (Plantar Fasciopathy)
• Chronic Heel Pain
• Achilles Tendinopathy

Knee

• Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)

Hip

• Gluteal Tendinopathy
• Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)
• Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy

Shoulder

• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
• Calcific Tendinopathy of the Shoulder

Elbow

• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia)
• Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylalgia)

If you’re unsure whether Shockwave Therapy is suitable for your condition, our physiotherapists will complete a thorough assessment and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Evidence Base

The use of Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for selected chronic tendinopathies is supported by recent clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews, including:

• Martin RL, et al. Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). 2023. This guideline supports ESWT as a treatment option for individuals with persistent plantar fasciopathy who have not responded to core conservative management.
• Charles R, Fang L, Zhu R, et al. The Effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy on Patellar Tendinopathy, Achilles Tendinopathy, and Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology. 2023. This review found strong evidence supporting ESWT for plantar fasciitis and supports its use as an adjunct treatment for selected chronic tendinopathies.
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Shows Comparative Results with Other Modalities for the Management of Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2025. This review concluded that ESWT remains an effective conservative treatment option for chronic plantar fasciitis.
• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). 2025. This guideline supports evidence-informed rehabilitation for rotator cuff tendinopathy and discusses adjunctive interventions, including ESWT, where clinically appropriate.