Shockwave Therapy at Moov Physio Capalaba.

Advanced Treatment for Chronic Pain & Tendon Injuries

Some injuries heal slowly. Others seem to linger for months no matter how much stretching, resting, or massaging you try.

That’s where Shockwave Therapy can make a real difference.

At Moov Physio Capalaba , we use evidence-based Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) to help reduce pain, stimulate healing, and accelerate recovery for stubborn musculoskeletal conditions.

A man sitting on an examination table in a medical examination room with a healthcare professional applying ultrasound gel to his shoulder.
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What is Shockwave Therapy?

Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy acoustic pressure waves into injured tissue through the skin. Unlike surgery or injections, it requires no anaesthetic, no downtime, and carries no systemic side effects.

The treatment works by triggering the body's own healing response in tissue that has become chronically damaged or poorly vascularised — exactly the kind of stubborn tendon and fascia conditions that resist conventional treatment.

The treatment helps:

  • Improve blood flow to poorly-vascularised tendon tissue

  • Stimulate tissue repair and collagen production

  • Reduce chronic inflammation

  • Break down scar tissue, adhesions, and calcifications

  • Decrease pain sensitivity by desensitising local nerve endings

Conditions We Commonly Treat:

Foot & Ankle

  • Plantar fasciopathy (plantar fasciitis) — one of the strongest evidence cases for RSWT

  • Achilles tendinopathy

  • Heel pain / heel spur

Knee

  • Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)

  • Osgood-Schlatter disease

Hip

  • Gluteal tendinopathy

  • Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Shoulder & Elbow

  • Calcific shoulder tendinopathy — excellent evidence for RSWT

  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy

  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia)

  • Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia)

Other Chronic Tendon & Soft Tissue Pain

  • Hamstring tendinopathy

  • Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)

  • Chronic muscular trigger points

  • Chronic lower back pain

How Strong is the Evidence?

Condition Evidence Level
Plantar Fasciitis ★★★★★Excellent
Achilles Tendinopathy ★★★★★Excellent
Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy ★★★★★Excellent
Patellar Tendinopathy ★★★★Very Good
Tennis Elbow ★★★★Very Good
Gluteal Tendinopathy ★★★Good
Hamstring Tendinopathy ★★★Good
Chronic Lower Back Pain ★★★Good
Chronic Trigger Points ★★★Good

What to Expect During Treatment

1
Assessment — Your physiotherapist confirms the diagnosis and that RSWT is appropriate for you
2
Gel application — Ultrasound gel is applied to the treatment area to optimise wave transmission
3
Treatment — The shockwave probe delivers controlled pulses to the targeted tissue (3–5 minutes per area)
4
Sensation — Mild to moderate discomfort during treatment is normal and expected — it indicates the correct area is being reached
5
Post-treatment — Mild soreness for 24–48 hours is common and is part of the healing response

Typical course: 3–5 sessions, spaced one week apart.

⚠️ Important aftercare: Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen) and ice for 48 hours after each session. The inflammatory response that shockwave triggers is the mechanism of healing — suppressing it reduces the treatment's effectiveness.

When Can I Expect Results?

Some patients notice improvement after the first or second session. However, the main tissue healing response builds over time:

  • Early improvement: Pain reduction often begins within 2–4 weeks

  • Peak healing: Tissue regeneration peaks approximately 6–12 weeks after completing the treatment course

  • Long-term: Results are typically durable, especially when combined with a rehabilitation exercise program

Shockwave Therapy works best when combined with the right rehabilitation strategy — and that’s where expert physiotherapy matters. At Moov Physio, we don’t just apply the device — we identify the root cause of your pain and build a complete recovery plan around it.

Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

Good candidates
  • Chronic tendon pain lasting more than 3 months
  • Conditions that haven't fully resolved with physiotherapy, rest, cortisone injection, or exercise alone
  • Calcific tendinopathy confirmed on imaging
  • Patients wanting to avoid or delay cortisone injections or surgery
🚫 Not suitable for
  • Acute injuries (less than 6 weeks old)
  • Pregnancy (treatment over the abdomen or pelvis)
  • Active infection or tumour in the treatment area
  • Blood clotting disorders or patients on anticoagulant medication (discuss with us first)
  • Children with open growth plates at the treatment site

Not sure if shockwave is right for your condition? Book a free 15-minute consultation and we'll let you know honestly.

Book Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions:

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Why Choose Moov Physio for Shockwave Therapy?

At Moov Physio, we don’t just treat symptoms — we identify the root cause of your pain. Shockwave is one tool in a broader, evidence-based treatment approach that includes:

  • Comprehensive assessment before any treatment begins

  • Confirmation that RSWT is clinically indicated for your specific diagnosis

  • Integration with a tailored exercise rehabilitation program

  • Clear explanation of what to expect, including realistic timelines

  • Ongoing progress tracking across your treatment course

We use clinical-grade RSWT equipment and our physiotherapists are trained in its evidence-based application — not just its operation.

Book Your Assessment.

If chronic pain is stopping you from training, walking, working, or enjoying daily life, we’re here to help. Book your assessment today and see whether Shockwave Therapy is right for you.