Elbow pain can make simple activities difficult, from opening a door to exercising, playing sports, or working with your hands.
Shockwave therapy for elbow pain is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. It has been studied extensively for chronic tendon problems, particularly tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy.
The first step is identifying what is causing your elbow pain so we can determine whether shockwave therapy is appropriate.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) uses acoustic pressure waves that are delivered through the skin into an injured or painful area.
The acoustic energy may help an injured tendon recover, including:
- Increased blood flow to the injured area
- Stimulation of tissue repair
- Improved tendon healing
- Changes in pain signaling
- Stimulation of collagen remodeling
Shockwave therapy is performed in the office and does not require an incision, injection, or surgery.
Common Elbow Pain Conditions Shockwave Therapy May Treat
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy, is the elbow condition most commonly treated with shockwave therapy.
Despite its name, you do not have to play tennis to develop tennis elbow.
The problem usually involves the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. Repetitive gripping, lifting, pulling, using tools, playing sports, or even computer-related activities can place stress on these tendons.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain when gripping or lifting
- Pain when turning a doorknob or opening a jar
- Pain when shaking someone’s hand
- Weak or painful grip
- Tenderness over the outside of the elbow
Research suggests that shockwave therapy may help reduce pain and improve grip strength and function in patients with chronic tennis elbow, particularly when symptoms have not improved enough with more conservative treatments.
Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow.
Like tennis elbow, it does not only occur in athletes. Repetitive gripping, wrist flexion, weightlifting, construction work, throwing activities, and other repetitive movements can place stress on the tendons.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain on the inside of the elbow
- Tenderness near the inner elbow
- Pain with gripping
- Pain when bending the wrist
- Discomfort with lifting or repetitive arm movements
Shockwave therapy may be considered for certain patients with chronic golfer’s elbow, although the research is much more limited than it is for tennis elbow.
For this reason, proper diagnosis is especially important before treating pain on the inside of the elbow.
What Does the Research Say About Shockwave Therapy for Elbow Pain?
Shockwave therapy has been studied extensively for tennis elbow and chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials compared shockwave therapy with corticosteroid injections for chronic tennis elbow. Corticosteroid injections produced better results during the first month, but shockwave therapy produced better results at three and six months for pain, grip strength, and elbow function.
A large 2022 network meta-analysis involving 40 randomized controlled trials compared shockwave therapy with several injection treatments. Shockwave therapy improved short- and medium-term pain compared with placebo and ranked particularly well for improving grip strength.
More recently, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized trials involving 654 patients found that shockwave therapy provided greater pain reduction than therapeutic ultrasound for lateral epicondylitis.
Why Choose Shockwave Therapy for Elbow Pain?
For the right patient, shockwave therapy offers several advantages.
Non-Invasive
Shockwave therapy does not require an incision or surgery.
No Injection Required
There are no needles or medications injected into the elbow during shockwave therapy.
Minimal Downtime
Most patients can continue their normal daily activities after treatment.
The area may temporarily feel tender or sore after a session.
Treats the Painful Tendon
Shockwave therapy allows us to direct acoustic energy toward the injured portion of the tendon.
For tennis elbow, treatment is typically directed toward the common extensor tendon on the outside of the elbow.
Can Be Combined With Rehabilitation
Shockwave therapy is often used as part of a complete treatment plan rather than by itself.
The goal is not simply to temporarily cover up the pain. The goal is to help the tendon recover and allow the arm to function normally again.
What Does Elbow Shockwave Therapy Feel Like?
During treatment, patients usually feel a rapid tapping or pulsing sensation over the painful area of the elbow.
The most injured portion of the tendon may feel sensitive during treatment. The intensity can usually be adjusted based on the patient’s comfort and the condition being treated.
Treatment is performed in the office and typically does not require anesthesia.
How Many Shockwave Treatments Are Needed for Elbow Pain?
The exact number of treatments depends on the condition and the patient’s response.
At our office, many patients receive approximately 6 shockwave therapy sessions over 4–6 weeks.
Some patients begin noticing improvement during the treatment series, while others notice a more gradual improvement over the following several weeks.
This is important because shockwave therapy is not designed simply to numb the elbow for a few hours. The goal is to stimulate a biological response in the injured tendon, so improvement may occur gradually.
Is Shockwave Therapy Better Than a Cortisone Injection for Tennis Elbow?
They work very differently.
A cortisone injection may provide relatively fast pain relief for some patients. However, research comparing corticosteroid injections with shockwave therapy suggests that steroid injections may perform better in the very short term, while shockwave may provide better results several months later in some patients with chronic tennis elbow.
The best treatment depends on the individual patient, how long the elbow has been painful, the condition of the tendon, and previous treatments.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Your Elbow Pain?
You may be a candidate for shockwave therapy if you have persistent elbow pain related to a tendon problem, particularly:
- Tennis elbow
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Lateral elbow tendinopathy
- Chronic common extensor tendon pain
- Certain cases of golfer’s elbow
- Elbow tendon pain that has not improved enough with conservative treatment
Not all elbow pain comes from a tendon.
Nerve problems, arthritis, ligament injuries, fractures, and other conditions can also cause elbow pain. This is why identifying the root cause of the elbow pain is important before starting treatment.
Shockwave Therapy for Elbow Pain in Rhode Island
At the Pain Center of Rhode Island in Cranston, RI, we specialize in non-surgical treatment of musculoskeletal and joint pain.
We offer both focused shockwave therapy and radial shockwave therapy for appropriate elbow and tendon conditions.
Our approach begins with identifying the source of your pain. When appropriate, diagnostic ultrasound can help us evaluate the tendons around the elbow and identify areas of tendinopathy, tendon damage, calcification, or other abnormalities.
We can then develop a treatment plan based on your specific diagnosis.
If you are looking for shockwave therapy for elbow pain in Rhode Island, or have been diagnosed with tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow, or chronic elbow tendinopathy, contact the Pain Center of Rhode Island to schedule an evaluation.
Pain Center of Rhode Island
1150 Reservoir Avenue, Suite 200
Cranston, RI 02920
401-648-6100
