Greater Kailash · Maharani Bagh · South Delhi
A non-invasive treatment used for selected musculoskeletal conditions, combined with personalised physiotherapy and progressive rehabilitation at Back2Health.
Illustration for patient education. Clinic and treatment photography to be supplied by Back2Health.
Choose the area of your symptoms to read the relevant educational guide. This selector never provides a diagnosis.
The treatment explained
Quick answer
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that applies controlled acoustic or pressure waves to a targeted musculoskeletal area. Physiotherapists may use it for selected conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and tennis elbow, usually alongside progressive exercise and rehabilitation.
The clinician identifies the symptomatic structure, selects appropriate treatment settings and applies a handheld applicator to the area using coupling gel. The mechanical stimulus may influence biological processes associated with pain modulation, circulation, cellular signalling and tissue remodelling — though the response varies by condition and patient.
Read the full explainerNo electrical current is passed into your body. The waves are mechanical, not electrical.
Nothing is cut, injected or implanted. It is applied through the skin with gel.
It is not an X-ray, and it is not the same as diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
It does not replace clinical diagnosis or the rehabilitation that builds lasting capacity.
Conditions commonly assessed
Sharp heel pain, worst on the first steps of the morning
Aggravated by: Standing, walking and running after rest
Chronic heel pain is one of the more frequently studied indications for shockwave therapy, and it may be considered when symptoms persist despite an appropriate period of load management and exercise.
Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon or its heel attachment
Aggravated by: Running, jumping and hills; stiff in the morning
Shockwave is studied in both mid-portion and insertional presentations and may be considered when tendon pain persists despite a well-executed loading programme.
Pain on the outer elbow with gripping and lifting
Aggravated by: Typing, tools, racquet sports and carrying
Lateral elbow tendinopathy is a commonly considered indication when symptoms persist beyond an appropriate period of load management and progressive loading.
Pain on the inner elbow with gripping and lifting
Aggravated by: Golf, gym pulling, carrying and manual work
It may be considered when medial elbow tendon pain persists despite an appropriate loading programme and activity adjustment.
Shoulder pain with lifting, often with night pain
Aggravated by: Overhead reaching, dressing and lying on the shoulder
Calcific tendinopathy is a recognised indication in the shockwave literature, and imaging plus accurate diagnosis are particularly important here. The type of technology available can be relevant to the clinical decision.
Pain and weakness with overhead or reaching movements
Aggravated by: Overhead work, gym pressing and lying on the shoulder
Shockwave has a smaller role here than in clearly calcific presentations, and is only considered when assessment supports it as an adjunct to loading.
Pain just below the kneecap with jumping and landing
Aggravated by: Jumping, squatting, stairs and running
It may be considered where tendon pain persists despite a structured heavy slow loading programme.
Pain on the outer hip, often worse lying on that side
Aggravated by: Side-lying, stairs, walking and crossing legs
It may be considered as an adjunct where outer hip tendon pain persists despite compression management and progressive loading.
Deep buttock pain at the sit bone, worse when sitting
Aggravated by: Sitting, sprinting, hills and hinging movements
It may be considered as an adjunct when symptoms persist despite a well-structured loading programme.
The clinical process
A physiotherapist evaluates your pain location, symptom history, activity limitations, aggravating movements, loading tolerance, strength, mobility, previous treatment, relevant imaging and medical history.
The clinician identifies the tissue or region requiring treatment through examination and, where appropriate, medical reports or imaging. The device does not diagnose your condition.
The therapist selects clinically appropriate parameters based on the device, target tissue, condition, chronicity, your comfort, treatment response and clinical protocol.
Coupling gel is applied and the applicator is moved over the target area. You may feel repetitive tapping or pulsing, pressure, temporary sensitivity and some discomfort over the affected area.
Treatment is followed by load-management guidance, mobility, strengthening, tendon loading, control work, sport or running progression, ergonomic advice and home exercises.
Shockwave may create a useful treatment stimulus, but long-term recovery usually depends on correcting the movement, strength, loading or training factors contributing to the problem.
See the full processWhy Back2Health
Back2Health has cared for patients across Delhi NCR since 2009 from two South Delhi clinics, combining physiotherapy, rehabilitation and treatment technologies under one roof.
Educational tool
Eight short questions to help you decide whether a musculoskeletal assessment is a sensible next step. The output is educational and never a diagnosis.
Question 1 of 8
This guide is educational and never provides a diagnosis.
Patient stories
This section is reserved for genuine, documented and consented patient experiences supplied by Back2Health. We do not publish invented names, photographs or outcomes. Each published story will describe the general condition, approximate symptom duration, functional limitation, the components of care and the functional change reported — with a clear note that individual results vary.
Visit us
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Sunday: Closed
Landmark: M Block Market, Greater Kailash Part 1
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Sunday: Closed
Landmark: Maharani Bagh Community Centre
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment in which controlled acoustic or pressure waves are applied to a targeted musculoskeletal area using a handheld applicator and coupling gel. It is used in selected tendon, fascia and muscle pain conditions, usually alongside physiotherapy and progressive exercise.
Medical disclaimer. Information on this website is provided for general education and does not replace an individual clinical diagnosis or medical advice. Shockwave therapy is not suitable for every person or every condition. A qualified clinician must assess suitability.
Written by the Back2Health physiotherapy and rehabilitation team · Clinically reviewed by the Back2Health clinical team · Last reviewed 3 August 2026
Start with a clinical assessment. The Back2Health team will evaluate the source of your symptoms, explain whether shockwave is appropriate and build a rehabilitation plan around your goals.
