Shockwave therapy has many benefits for the body, but you will may meet some common side effects including temporary pain, redness, swelling, bruising, and numbness in the treated area. The risk of more serious side effects, such as nerve damage or tissue rupture, is rare and often linked to improper use of the equipment.
Common, temporary side effects
1) Pain and soreness: It is normal to feel some pain or discomfort both during and immediately after the procedure. Some patients may experience a dull ache or soreness for a few hours to a couple of days as the body's natural inflammatory healing response is triggered.
2) Redness and bruising: The treated area may have temporary redness, minor bruising, or small red spots (petechiae). These effects typically subside within a few days.
3) Swelling: Mild swelling in the treatment area can occur as part of the healing process.
4) Tingling or numbness: Some patients may report temporary tingling or numbness, which is often a sign of nerve stimulation and typically resolves quickly.
Rare and severe side effects
The risk of these serious complications can be minimized by ensuring a qualified and experienced practitioner performs the treatment.
1) Nerve damage: While rare, there is a risk of nerve damage, particularly if the procedure is performed incorrectly near superficial nerves.
2) Tendon or ligament rupture: In extremely rare cases, soft tissues like the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia may rupture.
3) Blood vessel damage: Using the therapy improperly near major blood vessels can cause damage and increase the risk of bleeding.
4) Blood clot formation (thrombosis): Patients with pre-existing blood clotting disorders are at risk of developing a blood clot.
Who is not suitable for shockwave therapy?
- Pregnancy
- Bleeding or blood-clotting disorders
- Local infection or tumor in the treatment area
- Metal pins, plates, or pacemakers near the treatment site
- Receiving a steroid injection in the treatment area within the last 6 to 12 weeks
- Using anti-clotting medication like warfarin
- Severe nerve disorders (neuropathy) in the treatment area



