Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Tendon Pain: Why Athletes in North Vancouver Are Choosing It
Introduction
For many athletes and active individuals, chronic tendon pain can be one of the most stubborn and frustrating issues. Whether it’s Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, or plantar fasciitis, these injuries often linger long after the initial strain.
At Mountain Health and Performance in North Vancouver, we see this every week. Athletes who have tried rest, stretching, and even months of rehab, only to have their pain return once training resumes.
One modern, evidence-backed solution that’s gaining momentum among clinicians and athletes alike is shockwave therapy. Known formally as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), it’s a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in chronically injured tissue.
Let’s explore how it works, what the research says, and when it might be the right choice for your recovery journey.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic pressure waves into the affected tissue. These waves create controlled microtrauma that jumpstarts the body’s natural healing response.
It helps by:
Stimulating new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis)
Breaking down calcifications and scar tissue
Reducing pain-mediating chemicals
Activating local stem cells and growth factors
Essentially, ESWT wakes up tissues that have “stalled” in a chronic inflammatory state, prompting them to repair properly.
Most research shows that ESWT is particularly effective for tendinopathies lasting longer than 3 months where conventional therapies alone often fail.
Common Conditions Treated
Shockwave therapy is most often used for:
Achilles tendinopathy
Plantar fasciitis
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Calcific shoulder tendinopathy
Gluteal or hamstring tendinopathy
A meta-analysis in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that ESWT improved pain and function in over 70% of chronic tendinopathy cases, often outperforming corticosteroid injections at long-term follow-up.
How Shockwave Therapy Works Physiologically
Unlike passive modalities, shockwave therapy initiates biological repair at a cellular level:
Mechanical stimulation triggers increased metabolic activity in fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells).
Cavitation bubbles (tiny gas pockets) stimulate the release of nitric oxide, improving local blood flow.
Nerve desensitization reduces chronic pain signaling.
Within a few sessions, most patients notice improved movement and reduced stiffness as circulation improves and pain receptors calm down.
What to Expect During a Session
A typical ESWT session at Mountain Health and Performance lasts about 5–10 minutes.
The clinician applies a conductive gel and uses a handheld device to deliver targeted shockwaves to the injured area. The intensity is adjusted based on comfort and tissue response.
Most people describe the sensation as a strong tapping or pulsing which is slightly uncomfortable but tolerable. There’s no downtime, and you can resume most activities immediately.
For chronic conditions, a course of 4–6 sessions spaced 7–10 days apart is usually recommended.
What the Research Says
ESWT significantly reduces pain and improves function in chronic Achilles tendinopathy compared to placebo.
Shockwave therapy provides “clinically meaningful improvements in pain and mobility” for plantar fasciitis.
Adding ESWT to exercise therapy improved outcomes in patellar tendinopathy by 46% compared to exercise alone.
The evidence base continues to grow, especially for tendons that have resisted healing despite standard conservative care.
When to Consider Shockwave Therapy
You might be a good candidate for ESWT if:
Your tendon pain has persisted for 3+ months
You’ve already tried rest, stretching, and rehab
Pain worsens with activity but improves with rest
Imaging shows degenerative changes, not a full tear
It’s also a safe option for those who want to avoid injections or surgery.
How Mountain Health and Performance Can Help
At Mountain Health and Performance in North Vancouver, we combine shockwave therapy with movement retraining, soft-tissue therapy, and strength programming for lasting results.
Our clinicians assess:
The root cause of your tendon overload (e.g., biomechanics, training load, or footwear)
Tissue quality and pain sensitivity
Functional strength deficits
By addressing both the tissue injury and the underlying movement mechanics, we help reduce the risk of recurrence, not just the symptoms.
Many local runners, climbers, and hockey players have found that integrating ESWT into their care plan allowed them to return to sport pain-free and with better tissue resilience.
