Shockwave Therapy Auckland
AUCKLANDS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY SPECIALISTS NORTH SHORE
Shockwave therapy is a highly researched, non-invasive treatment that uses controlled acoustic pulses to address a wide range of musculoskeletal problems. At Movement Mechanics Shockwave Therapy, we use premium EMS DolorClast® technology to treat sub-acute and chronic pain, tendon injuries and joint-related conditions such as osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, gluteal tendinopathy, shoulder pain and Osgood–Schlatter disease. This evidence-based approach promotes healing, reduces discomfort and supports better movement without injections or surgery. You do not need a referral to access shockwave therapy with us, and if you are unsure whether it is suitable for your specific concern, our osteopaths are happy to advise before you book.
Shockwave therapy is a highly effective and fast-acting solution for relieving pain caused by common muscle and tendon injuries. This non-invasive and drug-free treatment option reduces pain in soft tissue injuries and has been proven more effective than traditional three-month rehabilitation programs.
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Specifically, shockwave therapy is particularly beneficial for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, gluteal/hamstring tendinopathy and tennis/golfer's elbow. It provides immediate pain relief and stimulates tendon repair by promoting the growth of new blood vessels, activating growth factors, increasing cell proliferation, reducing inflammation, and mobilising stem cells.
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If you're wondering why you need shockwave therapy, it's because tendon injuries can be challenging to treat and often require lengthy recovery periods, with some cases never fully healing. While standard treatments like acupuncture, manual therapy, soft tissue release, stretches, taping/bracing, and strengthening programs are commonly recommended, shockwave therapy offers a conservative option that accelerates healing.
How does Shockwave Therapy work?
To better understand how radial & focused shockwave therapy reduces pain, research has drawn a comparison to capsaicin, the active component in red chilli peppers. Initially, capsaicin overwhelms the C nerve fibres responsible for transmitting pain, but eventually disables them for an extended period. Many people are familiar with the fiery sensation that is often followed by numbness when consuming spicy food.
A similar mechanism is observed in shockwave therapy. The shockwaves activate the C nerve fibres and release substance P in the tissue and spinal cord. Substance P is responsible for causing slight discomfort during and after shockwave treatment. However, with prolonged activation, the C nerve fibres become unable to release substance P, resulting in reduced pain for a significant period. A decrease in tissue substance P levels leads to a decline in neurogenic inflammation. This decline can foster healing, release growth factors, and activate stem cells in the treated tissue, further promoting the recovery process.
How does Shockwave Therapy compare to other treatments?
Shockwave Therapy offers significant advantages over surgery as a treatment option. It eliminates the risks associated with infections or complications, requires no downtime, and is cost-effective.
A recent study conducted on patients with plantar fasciitis revealed similar outcomes between individuals who underwent surgery and those who received Shockwave Therapy. Researchers concluded that Shockwave Therapy should be considered as an initial treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis before resorting to surgery. Other studies have also reported similar findings.
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While cortisone injections (steroid glucocorticoid) are commonly used for various conditions, their effectiveness in treating tendinopathy has declined in recent years. These injections can have negative long-term effects on tendon tissue, including cell necrosis. In contrast, Shockwave Therapy has shown no detrimental side effects on tendon tissue.
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The benefits of Shockwave Therapy are numerous. It can effectively treat larger areas, requires short treatment durations per session, and often produces positive results after only a few sessions. Additionally, Shockwave Therapy offers a drug-free alternative for patients seeking to avoid medication.
Does Shockwave Therapy hurt?
Shockwave therapy can cause short bursts of discomfort, particularly over sensitised tissues, but this response is expected and supported by pain science. Modern evidence shows that therapeutic shockwaves mechanically stimulate peripheral C-fibres, temporarily heightening nociception (pain) to override neurogenic inflammation, a key driver of persistent tendon pain, while triggering analgesic effects through hyperstimulation analgesia and descending inhibitory pathways. Rather than “damaging” tissue, shockwaves create controlled mechanical stimulation that increases local blood flow, enhances tenocyte activity, promotes collagen remodelling, and supports regeneration in degenerative tendons.
Most patients describe the sensation as sharp but tolerable, and discomfort typically eases immediately after treatment as analgesic mechanisms activate. Importantly, pain during shockwave is a dose-dependent therapeutic effect, not a sign of harm, and helps reset abnormal pain signalling that often maintains chronic tendinopathy. While mild post-treatment soreness can occur for 24–48 hours, it generally settles quickly and does not require medication; relative rest and simple self-management strategies are usually sufficient. Overall, the brief discomfort experienced during treatment is closely tied to the very mechanisms that make shockwave therapy an effective evidence-based intervention for stubborn tendon and musculoskeletal conditions.
Do I need a referral for Shockwave Therapy?
No referral is necessary to receive shockwave therapy at our clinic. However, we do require an initial assessment by one of our qualified osteopaths to determine if shockwave therapy is the right treatment option for your condition.
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Existing Patients: If you are currently receiving treatment from our team, we encourage you to discuss with your practitioner whether shockwave therapy can complement your recovery plan.
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New Patients and Referrals: We welcome referrals from other healthcare professionals, including orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists, and rheumatologists. If you have been referred by a clinician, simply ask them to arrange the referral and then book an appointment with us.
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xploring Alternative Options: In the event that shockwave therapy is not suitable for your specific case, we will work closely with you to explore alternative treatment options or recommend further investigations. If we are unable to provide the appropriate therapy, we will assist you in finding the right healthcare provider for your needs.
Conditions commonly managed with
EMS DolorClast® Shockwave Therapy
Our EMS DolorClast® radial and focused shockwave systems are designed to treat a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal disorders, with evidence showing effectiveness across the majority of common tendon, muscle, and bone-related conditions. Radial Shockwave Therapy is well-suited to more superficial problems such as plantar fasciopathy, mid-portion and insertional Achilles tendinopathy, medial tibial stress syndrome, calcaneal and other tendinopathies, fasciopathies, myotendinous injuries, trigger points, and early osteoarthritic change. Focused Shockwave Therapy, on the other hand, is used for deeper or more complex presentations, including calcific deposits, bone stress injuries, delayed or non-union fractures (pseudarthrosis), deep myofascial trigger points, painful enthesopathies, and tissues that may be sensitive to mechanical pressure.
Plantar fasciopathy is one of the most frequent causes of heel pain and accounts for up to 11–15% of foot-related complaints seen in clinical practice. Research consistently shows that shockwave therapy improves pain, function, and long-term outcomes more effectively than many standard treatments. When combined with a structured, clinician-led loading and stretching programme, results are superior to physiotherapy alone. Shockwave works by improving blood flow, reducing neurogenic inflammation, and stimulating collagen remodelling within the plantar fascia, helping patients return to normal activity sooner.
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can severely impact mobility and quality of life. Shockwave therapy provides a non-invasive and evidence-based option for symptom relief. It modulates pain by temporarily overloading C-nerve fibres, reducing Substance P release, and calming sensitised nociceptors. Additionally, shockwaves enhance lubricin expression, improving joint gliding and stimulating angiogenesis to support cartilage metabolism. Together, these biological effects decrease stiffness, alleviate inflammation, and improve overall knee function.
Patellar tendinopathy
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee) is a challenging overuse condition affecting the tendon between the kneecap and tibia. For individuals who have not responded to physiotherapy or chiropractic care, shockwave therapy offers a safe and clinically validated alternative. Research indicates the best outcomes occur when shockwave is combined with eccentric loading and structured osteopathic or rehabilitation care. Shockwave encourages tendon repair by enhancing scleraxis expression, promoting Type I collagen synthesis, and reducing persistent neurogenic inflammation that often drives chronic tendon pain.
Shoulder pain
Shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff tendinopathy, bursitis, impingement, arthritis, and frozen shoulder are common sources of persistent pain. Shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive approach that targets the underlying dysfunction rather than just the symptoms. High-quality studies show that shockwave is particularly effective for calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy, where up to 87.9% of patients demonstrate reduced pain, improved function, and a reduction in calcium deposits. Mechanistically, the treatment enhances blood supply, stimulates collagen turnover, and decreases pathological nerve sensitivity, supporting natural tissue recovery.
The Achilles tendon, which links the gastrocnemius and soleus to the heel, is vulnerable to overload, making Achilles tendinopathy common among active and sedentary populations alike. Evidence shows that combining eccentric loading with repetitive low-energy shockwave therapy provides excellent results at four-month follow-up. Shockwave improves tendon health by increasing scleraxis expression (promoting tendon remodelling), stimulating angiogenesis, normalising inflammatory signalling, and reducing nociceptive drive through C-fibre overstimulation. These mechanisms restore tendon structure, strength, and function.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome includes gluteus medius/minimus tendinopathy and trochanteric bursitis. Radial shockwave therapy has been shown to outperform corticosteroid injections and home-exercise programmes, with a quicker return to daily activity and sport. At four months post-treatment, around 64% of patients can resume sporting activities. Shockwave activates deep-tissue repair mechanisms, including improved blood flow, collagen synthesis, and modulation of nerve hypersensitivity, making it a highly effective option for persistent lateral hip pain.