Shockwave Therapy Side Effects: What to Expect

If you have booked shockwave therapy, you probably want to know how your body will feel afterward. Shockwave therapy side effects are usually mild and short-lived, with redness, bruising, swelling or soreness often fading within about a week. Serious problems are uncommon. This guide covers what to expect before and after a session, who should skip treatment, and when to call your provider.

What Is Shockwave Therapy and Who Is It For?

Shockwave therapy sends short acoustic pulses into tissue that has stayed irritated for a long time. Many people come in with tendon pain, plantar fasciitis or stiff areas that have not improved with rest and stretching alone.

FDA-Cleared Uses and Common Indications

Some shockwave devices are FDA-cleared for specific conditions, such as chronic plantar fasciitis. Clinics also use it for tendon-related pain in the heel, elbow, shoulder and hip.

Whether it fits you depends on your exam, not just the diagnosis you searched for. Two people with the same label can need very different plans.

Focused vs. Radial Shockwave

Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a specific depth. Radial shockwave spreads energy over a wider, shallower area. Your provider picks the type based on the tissue involved, and that choice shapes how the session feels.

What Happens During a Session

Sessions are generally brief. You lie on a table while the provider moves a handpiece over the sore area and delivers pulses. Expect to be asked about pain often.

How It Feels and How Intensity Is Adjusted

Most people describe a series of firm taps. The sensation can feel sharp, especially over the tightest spot. A good provider lowers or raises the energy as you respond.

• Speak up early if the pain is more than you can handle
• Expect a few check-ins about pain level during the session
• Ask how the energy was set so you know what your next session will look like

How Many Sessions Are Typical

Wexner Medical notes that some people feel pain relief first, and the relief can return after one to two weeks. More than one session may be needed. Plan for a series rather than a single visit.

Shockwave Therapy Side Effects: Common Reactions

Mild local reactions are the most common. A narrative review of shock wave therapy for musculoskeletal pain states that mild, transient local reactions are most common, while severe adverse events are extremely rare.

Redness, Bruising, and Swelling

Wexner Medical lists skin redness, bruising and minor swelling as common local effects after treatment. These usually look worse than they feel.

Numbness or Tingling

Some people notice numbness or tingling in or near the treated area. Wexner Medical includes this among common effects. Tell your provider if it spreads or does not settle.

How Long Effects Usually Last

Patient.info states that bruising, pain and swelling should typically resolve within one week. Use that as your baseline.

• Redness and bruising: often fade over several days
• Soreness: commonly settles within about a week
• Swelling that grows: not expected, so report it

Rare and Serious Side Effects

Serious problems are uncommon, but you should know the warning signs. A systematic review of hip and pelvis tendinopathies found that 6 of 18 studies reported adverse events, an overall rate of 12% (65 of 557 patients). Most were increased pain and skin irritation.

A meta-analysis of 12 trials covering 632 patients with chronic low back pain found no serious adverse reactions. Serious events still need a plan, even when they are rare.

Hematoma and Nerve Irritation

A hematoma is a collection of blood in the tissue. Wexner Medical describes it as less common than simple bruising. Nerve irritation is also rare, but shooting pain or spreading numbness is a reason to call.

Tendon and Bone Risks

Case reports describe tendon injury and osteonecrosis, which is bone tissue death, after shockwave treatment. These are rare findings rather than routine outcomes. They are a big reason providers screen carefully before the first session.

Fainting, Headache, and Other Uncommon Reactions

Some people feel lightheaded or faint during treatment. A few report a migraine afterward. Lie down, tell the provider right away, and do not drive yourself home if you feel unwell.

If your pain has lasted for weeks or keeps coming back, a clear exam can show what is driving it. Book your $49 first visit to get a plan that fits your activity and your goals.

Who Should Not Have Shockwave Therapy

Candidacy is decided after an exam, not from a checklist. Protocols differ between clinics, so ask about each item below.

Conditions That Usually Rule Out Treatment

• Pregnancy, where the fetus is in the treatment field
• A pacemaker or defibrillator in the treatment field
• Significant bleeding or clotting disorders
• Active infection in the treated area
• Tumors in the treatment field

Cases That Need a Closer Review

• Blood thinners and other anticoagulant medicines
• Recent steroid injections in the same area
• NSAID use, especially around the time of treatment
• Numbness or nerve symptoms that have not been explained

Before Your Session: What to Tell Your Provider

Bring a complete medication list to your first visit. Your provider uses it to decide whether shockwave is safe for you right now.

Medications and Implanted Devices

Tell your provider about blood thinners, pain relievers, steroid injections and any implanted device. Bring the names of current medicines, not just what you remember taking last month.

Questions to Ask

1. Is my diagnosis a good fit for shockwave therapy?
2. Which type of shockwave will you use, and why?
3. How will you adjust the energy during treatment?
4. How many sessions should I expect, and how will we measure progress?
5. What should I avoid in the next 48 hours?

After Your Session: Aftercare

Aftercare advice is not standardized. One UK clinic advises avoiding strenuous exercise for 48 hours, while other clinics say less or nothing on the topic. Follow the instructions you receive.

Activity and Exercise Timing

Plan easy movement, such as walking, rather than a hard workout. Ask how long to wait before running, lifting or training, and whether your sport changes the answer.

Pain Relief and Ice

Ask before you take pain relievers. Some clinics advise caution with NSAIDs because timing can affect results. Ice advice also varies, so follow the instructions your clinician gives you.

When to Call Your Provider

Call promptly if you notice any of these signs:

• Pain that gets worse after the first week instead of better
• Numbness or tingling that spreads or lingers
• Swelling that keeps growing over several days
• Fever, heat or spreading redness in the area
• Fainting or a severe headache during or after treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do shockwave therapy side effects last?

Most mild effects, such as bruising, soreness and swelling, typically resolve within about one week according to Patient.info. Redness usually fades over a few days. If symptoms last longer or get worse, contact your provider for an evaluation.

Is shockwave therapy safe if I take blood thinners?

Blood thinners are a relative concern, so they require a careful review before treatment. Do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own. Tell your provider about every medication you take so they can decide whether treatment is appropriate.

Can I work out after shockwave therapy?

Many clinics advise avoiding strenuous exercise for a short period after a session, and one UK clinic suggests 48 hours. Advice varies, so ask your provider how long to wait before running, lifting or training. Easy walking is usually a reasonable starting point.

Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?

Some practices state that shockwave therapy is usually not covered by health insurance. Coverage depends on your plan and your diagnosis. Check with your insurer before booking so you know what to expect for cost.

Ready to Move Better?

Shockwave therapy side effects are usually manageable when you know what to expect and speak up early. Use the questions above at your next visit. If your pain has lasted longer than you expected, a clear exam is the best next step. We will tell you whether shockwave therapy fits you, or whether chiropractic care or targeted rehab makes more sense.

Ready to see whether shockwave therapy fits your situation? Book your $49 first visit and get an exam and a plan built around your goals.