Shockwave Therapy at Avenue Health

Fast, non‑invasive treatment for stubborn tendon, muscle and joint pain

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a highly effective, non‑surgical treatment that uses high‑energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues. It’s particularly effective for chronic tendon and muscle conditions that haven’t improved with rest, exercise, or other conservative treatments.

At Avenue Health, we use the Swiss DolorClast® system — the gold standard in shockwave technology — to deliver safe, targeted and clinically proven results.

We have both Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (fESWT) and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). The difference between the two types of Shockwave is that the ESWT/Radial Shockwave produces pressure waves that travel through the tissue from the applicator radially and are absorbed quickly. Whereas the fESWT is more accurate and focuses the pressure waves to a specific depth in the injured tissue, depending on the applicator used.

What Shockwave Therapy Can Treat

Shockwave Therapy is ideal for chronic or persistent musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Plantar fasciitis & heel pain
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Tennis elbow & golfer’s elbow
• Frozen shoulder / Bicep tendinopathy / Supraspinatus tendinopathy 
• Shoulder tendinopathy (including chronic pain & calcific tendonitis)
• Patellar tendinopathy (runners/jumpers knee)
• Hip pain & gluteal tendinopathy
• Shin splints
• Muscle strains, spasms & chronic tightness
• Trigger points & myofascial pain
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Trochanteric bursitis
• De Quervains syndrome
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Retro Patella Pain syndrome (pain in the front, behind, and around the kneecap)

Swiss DolorClast shockwaves help increase blood flow, reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair, supporting faster and more effective healing.

Why We Use the Swiss DolorClast® System

Swiss DolorClast is widely recognised as a leader in shockwave therapy technology. It provides:

• High‑energy impulses up to 25Hz for deeper, more effective treatment
• Consistent, powerful output for reliable results
• Superior energy delivery for improved clinical outcomes
• Fast treatment of large or sensitive areas
• Extensive research and evidence‑based results

It is considered one of the most powerful radial shockwave devices available, helping us achieve excellent outcomes for our patients.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Shockwaves are acoustic waves that deliver high energy into painful or injured tissues. This triggers a series of biological responses to speed up the healing process. It does this by:

• Increased blood circulation
• Reduced pain signals from nerve fibres
• Reduces the production of Substance P (a neuropeptide that causes pain)
• Breakdown of calcifications (often found in tendonitis/tendinopathy)
• Activation of stem cells (new cells that will replace damaged cells) 
• Stimulation of collagen production
• Acceleration of tissue repair and regeneration
• Increasing the output of Lubricin (reduces friction in joints and between muscles and tendons)

These effects help restore mobility, reduce pain and support long‑term healing. Studies have shown it can reduce the time for a bone fracture to heal from 6 weeks to 4 weeks.