Shockwave Therapy: Side Effects and Why You Should Consider It Before Drugs or Surgery

If you’re in struggling with stubborn pain from plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, shoulder calcifications, or other musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries, you may be searching for a solution that actually works without the risks of drugs, injections, or surgery.

At Sacramento Shockwave Therapy, Dr. Nate Oliveira combines sports chiropractic and rehab with both forms of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT): radial shockwave (rESWT) and focused shockwave (fESWT). Both are proven, non-invasive treatments used worldwide for MSK conditions, and both are backed by the International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST).

Oliveira Chiropractic Treatment Room

What Are rESWT and fESWT?

• Radial shockwave therapy (rESWT):

  • Uses pneumatic or electromagnetic energy to deliver pressure waves that spread over a broad area. It’s excellent for treating superficial soft-tissue conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and muscle trigger points.

• Focused shockwave therapy (fESWT):

  • Penetrates deeper tissues with precise acoustic waves, targeting tendons, bones, and joint-related issues. It’s commonly used for calcific shoulder tendinitis, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendonitis, and even chronic non-union fractures.

    
    

    

    Radial Shockwave (left) and Focused Shockwave (right)

Both forms of ESWT stimulate the body’s natural healing response by:

• Increasing blood flow and angiogenesis.

• Stimulating collagen production.

• Breaking up calcifications and scar tissue.

• Decreasing pain by modulating nerve sensitivity.

Side Effects of Shockwave Therapy: Why It’s Extremely Safe

One of the biggest advantages of shockwave therapy is its safety profile. Unlike medications, injections, or surgery, ESWT is non-invasive, drug-free, and carries minimal risk.

Possible side effects include:

• Mild redness, swelling, or soreness at the treatment site.

• Temporary discomfort during or after the session.

• Rare cases of minor bruising.

These effects are extremely rare and if they do occur they typically resolve within 24–48 hours and are considered part of the healing process. Compared to corticosteroid injections (which can weaken tendons), or surgery (with its risks of infection, scar tissue, and long recovery), shockwave side effects are minimal.

Shockwave Therapy vs. Other Common Treatments

Corticosteroid injections

• Provide temporary pain relief but can damage tendons with repeated use.

• Do not address the root cause of tissue dysfunction.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

• Invasive, costly, and not always covered by insurance.

• Require downtime and carry risks of infection.

Pain medications

• Mask symptoms without addressing the underlying condition.

• Come with systemic side effects and potential dependency.

Surgery

• Invasive, expensive, and requires long recovery times.

• Higher risks of complications, scar tissue, and persistent pain.

✅ Shockwave therapy stands out as the superior first choice: it’s safe, effective, non-invasive, and stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Conditions Treated with Shockwave Therapy

As outlined by the ISMST, ESWT has strong evidence for treating a wide range of MSK conditions, including:

• Plantar fasciitis with or without heel spurs

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Patellar tendonitis (“jumper’s knee”)

• Tennis and golfer’s elbow

• Calcific tendinitis in the shoulder

• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (hip bursitis)

• Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)

• Non-union fractures (like in the wrist)

• Myofascial trigger points and muscle pain

Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy

Why Shockwave Therapy Should Be Combined With Other Modalities

While ESWT is powerful on its own, the best outcomes often come from combining it with active care. This is what Dr. Nate Oliveira, Sports Chiropractor in Sacramento, specializes in. He integrates Shockwave therapy with:

• Sports chiropractic to improve joint mobility and biomechanics.

• Physical therapy & rehab exercises to strengthen and stabilize tissues.

• Active Release Technique (ART) & IASTM to reduce soft tissue restrictions.

• Lifestyle modifications to prevent recurrence.

This multi-modal approach addresses not only your pain but also the underlying movement dysfunctions that caused the injury.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

If you’ve been told your only options are injections, medications, or surgery, it’s time to explore a better solution. Shockwave therapy is safe, effective, and supported by decades of research.

At Sacramento Shockwave Therapy, we specialize in helping patients heal from stubborn MSK conditions so they can get back to the activities they love.

📞 Call us today or book online to learn if shockwave therapy is right for you.