Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?
ESWT is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-pressure acoustic waves directly to injured tissue. These waves target structures at a precise depth of 3–6 cm, allowing treatment to reach deeper areas that may be difficult to stimulate with other methods.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy works by inducing a process called cavitation. The acoustic waves create a rapid negative tensile phase, forming tiny gas-filled bubbles within tissue fluids. These bubbles collapse, generating secondary shockwaves, controlled microtrauma, and metabolic reactions within the affected tissue.
This biological response stimulates increased blood flow, promotes tissue regeneration, and reactivates the body’s natural healing processes in areas where recovery may have stalled.
How Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Can Help Injuries
The controlled microtrauma created by ESWT encourages collagen production and cellular repair. This makes the treatment particularly effective for chronic tendon and soft tissue conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Shoulder tendinopathy
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy at Hoppers Physio
At Hoppers Physio, we assess each individual to determine whether Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is the right treatment option for your injury. ESWT is typically integrated into a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, which may also include targeted exercise and hands-on manual therapy.
Our focus is not just reducing pain, but restoring strength, function, and long-term resilience so you can return to the activities you enjoy. If you’re experiencing persistent pain or a chronic injury that hasn’t improved, ESWT may provide the stimulus your body needs to heal.
To find out whether this treatment is right for you, book an appointment with the team at Hoppers Physio today.