Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Pain in Sunbury
- Julian Simpson
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
Written by Dr Julian Simpson — Chiropractor with 15+ years of experience, Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation, and author/reviewer of 800+ health articles.
Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Pain in Sunbury
If chronic shoulder or elbow pain is affecting your work, sport, gardening, or day-to-day life around Sunbury, shockwave therapy may be worth considering. Research suggests it can be helpful for some tendon-related conditions, especially when pain has become stubborn or slow to settle.
At Health Wise Chiropractic in Sunbury, we often see people looking for a non-invasive option that fits into busy routines without lengthy downtime.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT, uses targeted acoustic waves to stimulate healing in irritated soft tissues. It is commonly used for musculoskeletal conditions such as tendinopathy, and it is available at both Health Wise Chiropractic locations as an add-on treatment.
There are two main styles of treatment:
Focused shockwave therapy, which reaches deeper tissues.
Radial shockwave therapy, which spreads more broadly over superficial areas.
For chronic pain, the best results tend to depend on the condition being treated and whether the pain is calcific, non-calcific, or more general tendon irritation.
The strongest evidence in the research summary was for calcific shoulder tendinitis. Several systematic reviews found that shockwave therapy produced statistically significant improvements in pain and function compared with placebo or sham treatment for calcific tendinitis.
One review found that high-energy shockwave therapy improved pain reduction and function in calcific shoulder tendinitis, while another reported benefits in shoulder function at 6 months, with improvements lasting up to 1 year in some studies.
The same reviews found that shockwave therapy was not consistently effective for non-calcific shoulder tendinitis.
Side effects reported
The most common temporary side effects were:
Small bruises or haematomas.
Petechiae.
Redness.
Short-term pain during or after treatment.
These side effects were generally more common with higher-energy treatment than with lower-energy treatment or placebo.
For lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, the evidence was more mixed. One review concluded that shockwave therapy may not be more effective than sham treatment for short-term pain relief, and it may be less effective than corticosteroid injection in some comparisons.
Other studies showed conflicting results, with some reporting improvements in pain, grip strength, and disability, while others found no meaningful difference compared with sham or other treatments.
In plain terms, shockwave therapy may help some people with tennis elbow, but the research is less consistent than it is for calcific shoulder conditions.
Side effects reported
Adverse events in elbow studies were usually mild and temporary, including:
Skin reddening.
Pain.
Petechiae.
Bruising or small lumps.
Burning sensation.
One trial found adverse events were more common in the shockwave group, with an odds ratio of 4.3 compared with sham treatment.
What This Means For Patients
The research summary suggests shockwave therapy is most promising for calcific shoulder tendinitis, while results for non-calcific shoulder pain and tennis elbow are more variable.
That means it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. The right approach depends on:
The exact diagnosis.
How long the pain has been present.
Whether the problem is calcific or non-calcific.
What other treatments have already been tried.
At Health Wise Chiropractic, this is why an individual assessment matters before starting treatment.
Sunbury Lifestyle Context
Sunbury locals often want care that works around commuting, family commitments, and staying active without adding more disruption to the week. Whether you are lifting at work, exercising on weekends, or simply trying to get through the day without shoulder or elbow pain, a practical treatment plan can make a real difference.
Our Sunbury clinic is easy to access at 21 Powlett Street, Sunbury, and we provide shockwave therapy as part of our broader musculoskeletal care.
When To Consider It
Shockwave therapy may be worth discussing if you have:
Ongoing shoulder tendon pain that has not settled.
Calcific rotator cuff pain.
Persistent tennis elbow symptoms.
A preference for non-surgical, non-invasive care.
It is also important to understand that evidence is condition-specific. A treatment that works well for calcific shoulder pain may not perform as well for tennis elbow.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to posture-related care.
Treatment may include:
We focus on addressing both the symptoms and the underlying biomechanical stress contributing to neck dysfunction.
About the Author
Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.
He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.
His treatment focus includes:
Chiropractic adjustments
Sports chiropractic
Massage therapy
Shockwave therapy
Laser therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression
Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.
Shockwave Therapy for Pain Associated with Upper Extremity Orthopedic Disorders: A Review of the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2016 Sep 1. PMID: 27831675.
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