Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic or mechanical energy to a selected musculoskeletal target.

At Nucellin Orthopedic Clinic, we use both focused shockwave therapy and radial pressure-wave therapy. Each has a different role, and treatment is selected according to the location, depth and nature of the problem.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Heejun Kim, board-certified orthopedic specialist, Nucellin Orthopedic Clinic, Seoul.

1. What Shockwave Therapy Is

Shockwave therapy delivers controlled acoustic or mechanical energy through an applicator placed against the skin.

It is commonly used for selected chronic tendon and soft-tissue conditions, particularly when symptoms have persisted despite appropriate activity modification and rehabilitation.

The treatment may influence local tissue-response pathways, pain signalling and tissue remodelling.

It is not an electrical shock, injection or surgical procedure.

Most importantly, shockwave therapy should not simply be applied wherever pain is felt.

Identifying the correct pain-generating tissue comes first.

2. Focused vs Radial Shockwave

At Nucellin, we use both types of treatment because they serve different purposes.

• Focused Shockwave

Focused shockwave concentrates energy toward a specific target and selected depth.

It may be preferred for:

• Localised tendon lesions
• Tendon insertion pain
• Calcific deposits
• Deeper treatment targets
• Conditions requiring more precise localisation

Ultrasound or other imaging may be used to identify the treatment target when appropriate.

• Radial Pressure-Wave Therapy

Radial treatment distributes mechanical energy across a broader and more superficial area.

It may be used for:

• Muscular overload
• Superficial tendon and soft-tissue conditions
• Myofascial pain
• Surrounding muscles compensating for the primary problem

Why We May Use Both

A patient may have a specific painful tendon as well as a broader chain of overloaded muscles around it.

In selected patients, focused shockwave can be directed toward the primary target while radial treatment addresses the surrounding overloaded tissues.

Not every patient requires both.

3. Conditions We Treat

Shockwave therapy may be considered for selected conditions including:

• Calcific rotator-cuff tendinopathy
• Chronic rotator-cuff tendinopathy
• Tennis and golfer's elbow
• Gluteal tendinopathy
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
• Patellar tendinopathy
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Plantar fasciopathy
• Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
• Selected chronic muscle and myofascial conditions

Evidence is more established for several chronic tendon conditions, including calcific shoulder tendinopathy, plantar fasciopathy, Achilles and patellar tendinopathy, lateral elbow tendinopathy and greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

Shockwave therapy cannot repair a complete tendon rupture, correct severe mechanical instability or replace surgery when surgery is clearly indicated.

4. What to Expect

Assessment

Dr. Kim first evaluates your symptoms, physical examination and available imaging to identify the structure responsible for the pain.

• Treatment

The appropriate focused, radial or combined treatment is selected according to the target.

Coupling gel is applied to the skin, and repeated acoustic or pressure pulses are delivered to the selected area.

Treatment intensity is adjusted according to the tissue, condition and individual tolerance.

• Number of Sessions

There is no fixed number of sessions for every patient.

Some patients may receive one treatment followed by reassessment, while others may undergo a short series depending on the diagnosis and clinical response.

5. Recovery & Rehabilitation

Shockwave therapy does not usually require downtime or a prolonged recovery period.

Temporary effects may include:

• Local soreness
• Redness
• Mild swelling or bruising
• Temporary increase in sensitivity

Light daily activity is often possible after treatment, although heavy or repetitive loading of the treated tissue may need to be reduced temporarily.

Shockwave therapy does not replace rehabilitation.

Progressive strengthening, movement retraining and appropriate load management may be combined with treatment to help the tissue regain functional capacity.

Improvement, when it occurs, may develop gradually over several weeks rather than immediately after treatment.

6. International Patients

International patients can consult directly with Dr. Kim in English.

You may bring or send previous X-rays, MRI scans, ultrasound images and medical reports.

Nucellin offers both focused shockwave and radial pressure-wave therapy, and same-day consultation and treatment may be possible when medically appropriate.

The treatment target, device, number of sessions and rehabilitation plan are determined after assessment.