Musculoskeletal injuries affect millions each year, with 66 million cases reported annually in the U.S., costing an estimated $144 billion in treatments. Nearly 45% of these injuries involve tendons, often caused by repetitive strain and improper healing. While surgery has been a go-to solution, it frequently introduces complications like joint instability and infection risks. Non-invasive pain relief therapies offer safer alternatives to address these issues effectively.

We are here to help you understand the benefits of regenerative medicine. Schedule a call with Dr. Cherubini’s team to get a one-on-one call where we go over your pain history, discuss our treatment options, and give you prioty scheduling with Dr. Cherubini!

What is Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that has gained popularity for its effectiveness in treating common overuse conditions, including:

• Elbow Pain (Epicondylopathy)
• Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciopathy)
• Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy)
• Hip Pain (Trochanteropathy)
• Ankle Pain (Achilles Tendinopathy)
• Knee Pain (Patellar Tendinopathy)

Clinical Reaserch

The landscape of clinical research concerning the effectiveness of Shockwave therapy is ongoing and growing every year. We are still working to compile the most relevant and up to date research that we can access. Below we have broken up our research findings into various body parts and conditions. This list will continue to grow as we find more information. 

Knee Pain

A study conducted by Arshed CP (2024) investigated the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on functional ability in 30 patients with grade IV knee osteoarthritis aged 45–60. They compared the results of traditional physical therapy versus physical therapy combined with ESWT. The findings were remarkable:

• Shockwave Therapy Group: Achieved an 81.92% reduction in pain and inflammation.
• Physical Therapy Only Group: Reported a 48.15% improvement.

The significant improvement in the ESWT group is attributed to the therapy’s ability to promote revascularization.

Shoulder Pain

A study by Gerdesmeyer et al. (2021) demonstrated in a double-blind clinical trial on chronic calcific shoulder tendinopathy that both high – and low- frequency ESWT significantly reduced pain levels. Moreover, ESWT provides long-term pain relief with minimal side effects, making it an excellent alternative to surgery.

Achilles Tendinopathy

A study by Kaylem M Feeney (2022) shows that ESWT is effective in the management of midportion Achilles tendinopathy. This review suggests that ESWT is a safe and effective modality for treating midportion Achilles tendinopathy as it reduces pain and improves function. The best available evidence suggests that a combination of ESWT with eccentric exercises and stretching may be even more effective than ESWT alone

Plantar Fasciitis

In a shockwave research study by Renan (2020) on chronic plantar fasciitis, the effectiveness of SWT was measured based on pain, function, and quality of life. The study included 56 patients, with data collected at three, six, and twelve weeks.

Results:

• Significant pain reduction was observed within three weeks.
• Patients reported continued improvement in function and quality of life over the 12-week evaluation period.
• No complications or risks associated with SWT were noted.
• This study, along with others, confirms that shockwave therapy is a safe and effective treatment for foot pain, particularly plantar fasciitis.

Back Pain

In a study by Liu (2023) involving 632 patients with chronic lower back pain, 318 received shockwave therapy, while 314 underwent traditional treatments like physical exercise, physiotherapy, and drugs. Pain scores and quality of life were assessed at 4 weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment.

Results:

• The ESWT group reported significantly lower pain scores and higher quality of life scores compared to the traditional treatment group.
• No side effects were observed in any of the 12 studies analyzed.

Hip Pain

In a clinical study by Volkan Şah (2022), 148 patients were randomly distributed into three groups: focused, radial, and placebo. The ESWT application consisted of four sessions administered at one-week intervals. Pain levels were assessed using WOMAC and VAS scores before and after treatment.

Results showed significant reductions in pain intensity, improved functionality, and decreased stiffness in both focused and radial ESWT groups compared to baseline. This randomized, controlled, double-blind study demonstrated that shockwave therapy is an effective and safe method to manage pain and improve function in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

Elbow Pain

In a Systematic Review of 13 published articles that included 1035 patients (501 underwent ESWT) and (534 underwent other methods) Gaowen Yao and colleagues (2020) found that extracorporeal shock wave therapy can effectively relieve the pain and functional impairment caused by tennis elbow, with better overall safety than several other methods.

Wrist Pain

In a study conducted by Rezan (2020) a total of 189 patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were divided into four treatment groups to test if traditional treatments, Shockwave therapy, or a combination of both would be effective. The research found that the group that used shockwave combined with other treatments saw the greatest improvement of hand function. 

Neck Pain

In a clinical study by Jun (2021) involving 505 participants, 231 received shockwave therapy, while 274 underwent treatments like Laser therapy, and Ultrasound Therapy. Follow-ups were conducted over 2-4 weeks to assess pain levels. Results showed that focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy significantly reduced pain and improved pressure pain thresholds compared to other treatments.

Benefits of Non-Invasive Therapies

The above study demonstrated that not only were shockwaves effective in reducing pain levels, they also provided no long term complications.

• No risk of infection or scarring.
• Faster recovery times compared to surgery.
• Long-term pain relief for tendon-related injuries.

These therapies are ideal for individuals seeking effective solutions without the risks and downtime associated with surgical procedures.

Other Non-Invasive Pain Relief Therapies

• EMTT: Treats larger areas without direct skin contact for enhanced patient comfort
• Red Laser Therapy: triggers photobiomodulation to repair tissues, reduce inflammation, and increase blood flow.

Why Non-Invasive Pain Relief Matters

Non-invasive therapies like ESWT, Radial Wave Therapy, and Red Laser Therapy are transforming how we manage tendon injuries and chronic pain. They provide effective solutions for pain relief and healing without compromising quality of life.

Choose Non-Invasive Pain Relief in Rhode Island

At the Pain Center of Rhode Island, we specialize in non-invasive pain relief therapies tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re exploring ESWT or other cutting-edge treatments, our team ensures the best possible care for effective and sustainable results.

Need more help understanding the benefits of Non-Invasive Pain Relief? Schedule a call with Dr. Cherubini’s team to learn more