How is shockwave therapy different from ultrasound?

Therapeutic ultrasound uses gentle, continuous sound waves; shockwave uses brief, high-energy acoustic pulses. The clinical evidence for shockwave on tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis and calcific tendinitis is significantly stronger than for ultrasound, which is why ESWT is now the recommended option in international guidelines for many of these conditions.

Why does it work for chronic injuries when other treatments haven't?

Chronic tendons can become 'stuck' in a degenerative state where the body has stopped trying to repair the tissue. Shockwave's high-energy pulses re-trigger the healing cascade - increasing blood flow, stimulating new collagen formation and breaking down calcium deposits - turning a stalled injury into an actively healing one.

Do I need a referral?

No - you can come straight to us. We will, however, ask you to come in for a clinical assessment first so we can confirm shockwave is the right treatment for your specific condition. If you've been referred by another practitioner, please bring their notes or scan reports along.

Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, drug-free and has an excellent safety profile when delivered by trained practitioners using a medical-grade device like EMS DolorClast®. Common short-term side effects are mild - temporary local soreness, slight redness or minor bruising. Serious side effects are very rare.

Who shouldn't have shockwave therapy?

Shockwave is not recommended over the lungs, heart, large blood vessels, growth plates in children, an active infection, a recent fracture in the treatment area, in pregnancy (over the abdomen or pelvis), in people on blood-thinning medication, or in people with bleeding disorders or active malignancy in the treatment zone. We screen for all of these at your assessment visit.

Can shockwave therapy work alongside physiotherapy or Pilates?

Yes - and the best outcomes usually come from combining shockwave with appropriate loading exercise. Many of our clients pair their shockwave course with our clinical pilates studio (next door) or with their existing physiotherapist's rehabilitation programme. We're happy to coordinate.

Will it cure my injury permanently?

Shockwave gives the tissue a strong stimulus to heal, but ongoing recovery depends on how you load and care for the area afterwards. Most people see lasting improvement when the shockwave course is paired with a sensible return-to-loading plan. Your osteopath will give you guidance specific to your injury.

STUDIO/WELLNESS

KNOWLEDGE HUB

SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
IN HENDERSON, WEST AUCKLAND
EMS DolorClast® RADIAL SHOCKWAVE

NO REFERRAL NEEDED

ACC PROVIDER

EVIDENCE-BASED, DRUG-FREE TREATMENT FOR STUBBORN PAIN - USING THE WORLDS MOST RESEARCHED SHOCKWAVE DEVICE.

If you've been managing a tendon injury, heel pain or a stubborn chronic niggle that just won't shift, shockwave therapy may be the breakthrough your body needs. At Waitākere Health Hub in West Auckland, we deliver EMS DolorClast® Radial Shockwave Therapy - the most clinically researched shockwave device in the world, used in more high-quality studies on the PEDro physiotherapy evidence database than any other ESWT system. We pair that gold-standard technology with careful clinical assessment from our experienced osteopaths so you can be confident shockwave is the right treatment for you, before we ever start.

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WHAT IS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?

Shockwave therapy - sometimes called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) - is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses high-energy acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. The shockwaves travel through the skin into the affected tendon, fascia or muscle and trigger a cascade of biological responses: increased blood flow, stimulation of collagen production, breakdown of calcified tissue, and a re-set of the local pain signalling.

Unlike pain relief medication, which simply masks symptoms, shockwave therapy targets the cause and supports the body to heal itself. It is approved and used worldwide as a first-line treatment for many tendon, fascia and chronic soft-tissue conditions, and is included in international clinical guidelines for several common musculoskeletal injuries.

HOW DOES A SHOCKWAVE SESSION WORK?

Your osteopath positions the shockwave hand-piece directly over the area of pain or injury. The device delivers rapid, focused acoustic pulses - typically a few thousand over a 5–10 minute treatment - with the intensity adjusted to your tolerance and the depth of the tissue being treated.

Most people describe the sensation as a strong tapping or pressure. It can feel intense at times, but it remains controlled and brief. Treatment is short (usually under 15 minutes), requires no anaesthetic, and there’s no downtime - you can walk out and carry on with your day.

At a tissue level, these pulses stimulate nerve fibres (C fibres), prompting the release of a neurochemical called substance P. This can contribute to the temporary discomfort felt during or shortly after treatment. However, with repeated stimulation, these fibres reduce their ability to release substance P, which helps decrease pain over time.

Lower levels of substance P also reduce neurogenic inflammation - one of the drivers of persistent pain. Alongside this, shockwave therapy supports the release of growth factors and may stimulate cellular repair processes within the tissue, creating an environment that encourages healing and recovery.

Check out the evidence based research here

WHY WE USE EMS DOLORCLAST® - the evidence-based choice

Shockwave therapy is only as good as the device delivering it. We chose EMS DolorClast® for one reason above all others: the evidence.

EMS DolorClast® at a glance

• More high-quality clinical studies on the PEDro physiotherapy evidence database than any other ESWT device.

• Up to 200% more energy density than competing radial shockwave systems at frequencies ≥15 Hz, meaning faster, more effective treatment with shorter session times.

• Swiss-engineered, manufactured by Electro Medical Systems (EMS) — a company specialising in medical-grade shockwave technology since 1981.

• Used in major hospitals, sports medicine practices and elite-athlete clinics around the world.

• CE-marked and FDA-cleared for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.

When the research is clear about what works, we use what works. With EMS DolorClast® you're not paying for a generic shockwave session - you're getting the same evidence-based system used in international clinical trials.

WHAT WE TREAT WITH SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Shockwave therapy works best for sub-acute and chronic injuries - typically problems that have lingered for more than four to six weeks, or that haven't responded fully to other care. Common reasons our Henderson clinic uses shockwave include:

Plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain
Achilles tendinopathy (mid-portion and insertional)
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
Calcific shoulder tendinopathy and rotator cuff injuries
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (lateral hip pain / gluteal tendinopathy)
Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
Hamstring tendinopathy and proximal hamstring pain
Stress fractures (delayed or non-union — with imaging)
Trigger points and myofascial pain
Scar tissue and chronic muscle stiffness
Heel spurs (often associated with plantar fasciitis)

WHY WE ASK FOR A CLINICAL ASSESSMENT FIRST

Shockwave therapy is brilliant - but only when it's the right tool for the job. Before we book a course of treatment, we ask new patients to come in for a focused clinical assessment with one of our osteopaths.

This visit lets us:

Confirm a clear diagnosis - many conditions present similarly but need different treatment.
Rule out contraindications such as recent fractures, blood-clotting issues, infections, or pregnancy.
Decide whether shockwave alone is best, or whether it should sit inside a wider rehabilitation plan with osteopathy, exercise prescription or Pilates.
Discuss what you can realistically expect, how many sessions you may need, and how to support recovery between visits.

If you've already been assessed by another medical or allied-health professional and have a clear referral for shockwave therapy, we welcome that please bring any relevant scans, reports or correspondence to your first visit.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Shockwave therapy shoulder pain_edited_j

DURATION

Visit 1: Clinical assessment (30 minutes) A thorough history, hands-on examination, diagnosis and discussion of options. If shockwave is appropriate, we'll explain what to expect and book your treatment course. If something else would serve you better, we'll tell you that too. Visits 2 onwards: Shockwave sessions (15–20 minutes each) Each session involves 5 to 10 minutes of focused shockwave treatment, plus a short check-in on how you've responded since the last visit. Most evidence-based protocols use a course of three to five sessions, spaced 5 to 10 days apart.

AFTER TREATMENT

Some people feel relief almost immediately. Others experience mild soreness in the treated area for 24 to 48 hours, similar to mild bruising - this is part of the healing response and usually settles quickly. Continue your normal daily activities, but avoid heavy loading of the treated tendon (long runs, heavy lifting, sprinting) for 48 hours after each session unless your osteopath advises otherwise.

Dolorclast radial shockwave_edited_edite

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

Most evidence-based shockwave protocols call for three to five sessions, spaced approximately a week apart. Some chronic conditions benefit from a longer course of six to eight. After three sessions we'll review your response - improvement at this point is the strongest predictor of full recovery. Most people feel meaningful improvement within four to twelve weeks, with continued improvement for up to three months as the tissue continues to heal after the course is complete.

DOES SHOCKWAVE THERAPY HURT?

Most people describe shockwave as a strong tapping or pressure sensation - intense in the moment, particularly over a sensitive injury, but always controllable. Your osteopath will start at a lower intensity and build up to your tolerance. Treatment is short (usually 5 to 10 minutes per area), and there is no anaesthetic required. If anything feels too sharp, we adjust on the spot.

PRICING + ACC

We are ACC registered. Shockwave therapy is currently not covered by ACC your osteopathic care is. Your first visit can be covered by ACC but if you move to shockwave the future visits will be under shockwave pricing or a mixed plan. If you're already being treated by another health professional (physiotherapist, osteopath, podiatrist or sports doctor) and want to access shockwave alongside your existing care, simply ask them for a referral note - or get in touch directly and we'll coordinate.

RELATES SERVICES

You may also benefit from:

Acupuncture
Pilates
Infrared Sauna for Recovery & Detox

Shockwave Therapy is a targeted regenerative treatment - where controlled mechanical stimulation helps reduce pain, support tissue repair, and restore movement over time.

BOOK YOUR SHOCKWAVE ASSESSMENT

If a stubborn injury has been holding you back, EMS DolorClast® shockwave therapy may be exactly what your body needs. Book a clinical assessment with our osteopath team - we'll confirm the right plan for you, and if shockwave is appropriate, we can usually start treatment in your second visit. Phone 09 837 1273 or book online.

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