Shockwave Therapy

If you’ve been dealing with chronic heel pain, Achilles pain, or another stubborn injury that just won’t budge, shockwave therapy can be an effective next step in your treatment plan. While it isn’t the right option for every injury, it’s a non-invasive treatment that can help when conservative care alone hasn’t resolved persistent pain. Brendan Coyle offers it at Balgowlah Podiatry for patients across Balgowlah, Manly and the Northern Beaches.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses a handpiece and transmitter to deliver targeted acoustic pressure waves to injured tissue. At a cellular level, these waves stimulate the body’s natural healing response, increasing blood flow and encouraging the formation of new blood vessels to create a better environment for tissue repair. Research has also shown that shockwave therapy influences the body’s pain-regulating mechanisms, helping to provide localised pain relief. It isn’t usually a first-line treatment, so during your consultation, Brendan will talk you through whether it’s an appropriate option for your specific injury.

Could Shockwave Therapy Help You?

Shockwave therapy is generally considered for chronic or persistent injuries that haven’t responded to standard treatment. It is worth discussing if you have:

Plantar fasciitis/fasciopathy
Achilles tendinopathy
Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
Myofascial trigger points
Patellar tendinopathy

How We Use Shockwave Therapy

Every plan starts with confirming shockwave therapy is the right option for your injury, not applying it as a default.

Consultation

We talk through your injury, how long you’ve had it, and what you’ve already tried, so we understand your history before recommending treatment.

Assessment

A biomechanical assessment examines your gait, foot posture, and lower-limb mechanics to identify factors that may be increasing stress on the injured area and contributing to your pain.

Treatment Sessions

Sessions are relatively short and carried out in clinic. Most people have a short course of sessions spaced roughly a week apart, though this varies depending on your injury and how you respond.

Review

We check in on your progress throughout your course of treatment and adjust your broader plan, including load management and footwear or orthotics.

Treatment Options

Shockwave therapy is rarely used alone. Depending on your injury, your plan may also include:

Load management

Adjusting training or activity levels while the tissue recovers

Stretching and strengthening

Targeted exercises to support the area and reduce ongoing strain

Footwear assessment

identifying footwear that may be contributing to the problem. See our footwear assessment and prescription service for more

Custom foot orthotics

correcting the biomechanical factors placing load on the injured tissue. See custom foot orthotics for more on how we approach fitting and prescribing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shockwave therapy suitable for plantar fasciitis?

Yes, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons patients at Balgowlah Podiatry have shockwave therapy, particularly for cases that have become chronic or haven’t responded to conservative care. See our Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain page to learn more about how we assess and treat plantar fasciitis; shockwave therapy is one of several options we may consider as part of your plan.

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

Most patients feel some discomfort during treatment, though this varies by person and depends on the area being treated. We start at a lower intensity and adjust treatment to a level you’re comfortable with, and any discomfort during the session typically settles quickly afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on your injury and how you respond to treatment, but most patients have a short course of sessions, often around five to six spaced roughly a week apart. We’ll review your progress throughout the course and let you know if your plan needs any adjustments.

Are there any risks, or reasons I shouldn’t have shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s generally avoided during pregnancy, for patients on certain blood-thinning medication, or over areas with active infection, recent fracture, or certain other medical conditions. Brendan will review your medical history and discuss any risks with you before recommending shockwave therapy, and will suggest alternative treatment if it isn’t the right option for you.

Is shockwave therapy covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

Coverage varies depending on your private health fund and level of cover, so it’s worth checking directly with your provider before your appointment. Our team can help with any receipt or documentation you need to submit a claim.

What’s the difference between shockwave therapy and orthotics or other treatments?

They address the problem differently. Orthotics and footwear changes reduce the ongoing strain on the injured tissue, while shockwave therapy aims to stimulate a healing response in tissue that hasn’t recovered on its own; the two are often used alongside each other rather than as alternatives. Orthotics manage the cause while shockwave therapy supports recovery of the tissue itself.