Is Shockwave Therapy Safe? Side Effects

Name: Adisi Health Center
Address: 534 Chestnut Street #240, Hinsdale, IL, 60521, US
Telephone: (630) 887-1900

Short answer: Yes, for most adults with stubborn tendon, heel, and muscle pain, shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment. Research reviews describe its side effects as minimal and short-lived, usually some redness, tenderness, or soreness in the treated area for a day or two. It isn’t right for everyone, though, so a careful health history comes first. At Adisi Health Center in Hinsdale, Dr. Steve Petzel uses FDA-cleared Storz Medical radial and focused shockwave.

Is shockwave therapy safe?

Shockwave therapy sends acoustic pulses through the skin into an injured tendon, fascia, or muscle to kick-start your body’s own healing response. There are no needles, no incisions, no medication, and no anesthesia, which is a big part of why it carries so little risk compared with injections or surgery.

The research backs this up:

Foot and ankle review: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 clinical studies found shockwave helped manage plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendinopathy, and Morton’s neuroma, with “minimal and unremarkable side effects.” The authors concluded shockwave is a safe treatment option with a favorable complication profile (Tengku Yusof et al., Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 2022; PubMed 34878537).
Athletes and active adults: A Harvard-led systematic review of 56 studies and 1,874 athletes and physically active people found that in most studies, participants kept training during treatment and tolerated shockwave with minimal side effects, without major adverse events (Rhim et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2024; PubMed 38228375).
Plantar fasciitis tolerability: A 2024 meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials that focused specifically on tolerability found shockwave was an effective and tolerable treatment for plantar fasciitis, with both radial and focused shockwave reducing heel pain (Lippi et al., European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2024; PubMed 39257331).

What are the side effects of shockwave therapy?

Most people have none beyond some tenderness. When side effects happen, they’re usually mild and go away on their own within a day or two:

Redness of the skin over the treated area
Tenderness or soreness, a bit like after a hard workout
Mild swelling or small bruises, more common in thin-skinned areas
Occasionally, brief tingling or numbness in the treated area

There’s no downtime. Most patients go right back to work and daily activities. At Adisi Health Center, we recommend avoiding high-impact activity for 24 to 48 hours after each session. Curious what treatment feels like? Read does shockwave therapy hurt?

Who should not get shockwave therapy?

Shockwave isn’t the right fit for everyone. Reasons it’s commonly avoided or postponed include:

Pregnancy
Cancer or a tumor in or near the area to be treated
A bleeding disorder or blood-thinning medication, which needs to be discussed first
An infection, open wound, or skin condition over the treatment area
A pacemaker or other implanted device near the treatment area
Pain that points to something more serious, like a fracture, nerve problem, or circulation issue, which needs to be checked first

That’s why your first visit at Adisi Health Center includes a full exam and health history review before any treatment. If shockwave isn’t a good match, Dr. Petzel will tell you and help you find the right next step.

Who is a good candidate for shockwave therapy?

You may be a good candidate if:

Your pain has lasted more than a few weeks or months and keeps coming back
You’ve tried rest, stretching, physical therapy, or cortisone shots without lasting results
You want to avoid surgery, injections, and pain medication
You have a condition shockwave is known to help, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, tennis or golfer’s elbow, calcific shoulder tendinitis, jumper’s knee, hip bursitis, or chronic low back pain

We see patients like this every week from Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Westmont, and La Grange.

Is radial or focused shockwave safer?

Both are safe when used appropriately; they just work at different depths. Radial shockwave spreads energy over a broader area and is best for tight muscles and trigger points. Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a precise depth for deep tendon problems and calcium deposits. Adisi Health Center has both Storz Medical units on-site, and many patients benefit from both in the same session. Learn more in radial vs. focused shockwave explained.

Is shockwave safer than surgery or cortisone shots?

Shockwave is non-invasive, so there’s no surgical wound, no anesthesia, and no long recovery. It also avoids repeated cortisone injections into a tendon. For many patients with plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis, and rotator cuff tendinopathy, shockwave has helped them avoid surgery entirely. See shockwave vs. cortisone for plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciitis surgery vs. shockwave.

What should I expect during treatment?

Sessions take about 20 minutes
Most patients need about 6 sessions, spaced about a week apart
Many people notice a difference by sessions 3 or 4
You’ll feel a strong tapping over the sore spot, and the intensity can be adjusted
Pairing shockwave with the right exercises can help tendons recover; see shockwave plus exercise

When to get medical care right away

Shockwave is for stubborn overuse pain, not emergencies. Get medical care right away if you have sudden severe pain after a fall or a “pop,” a visible deformity, you can’t bear weight, a limb is hot, red, and swollen with a fever, or you have calf pain and swelling that could be a blood clot.

Frequently asked questions

Is shockwave therapy safe?
Yes, for most adults. Research reviews describe shockwave as a safe, non-invasive treatment with minimal, short-lived side effects such as redness, tenderness, or soreness in the treated area.

What are the side effects of shockwave therapy?
The most common are temporary redness, tenderness, mild swelling, or small bruises in the treated area. They usually fade within a day or two.

Who should not get shockwave therapy?
It’s usually avoided during pregnancy, over cancer or a tumor, over an infection or open wound, and near a pacemaker or other implanted device. Bleeding disorders and blood thinners need to be discussed first. Your first visit includes a full exam and health history review.

Is there downtime after shockwave therapy?
No. Most patients go right back to daily activities. We recommend avoiding high-impact activity for 24 to 48 hours after each session.

Is shockwave therapy FDA cleared?
Yes. The Storz Medical shockwave devices used at Adisi Health Center are FDA cleared.

Can athletes keep training during shockwave therapy?
Often, yes. A large review of athletes found most kept training during treatment and tolerated shockwave with minimal side effects. Dr. Petzel will help you adjust your training if needed.

Where can I get shockwave therapy near Hinsdale?
Adisi Health Center, 534 Chestnut Street, Suite 240, Hinsdale, IL 60521, offers Storz Medical radial and focused shockwave and serves Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Westmont, and La Grange.

Is Shockwave Therapy Safe? Side Effects, Who It’s Right For, and What to Expect in Hinsdale