You've tried everything. Rest, physio, maybe injections. The pain fades for a while, then comes right back. Something in the tissue has stalled, and the usual treatments aren't reaching it.
It triggers a biological response, not just pain relief.
Shockwave delivers controlled mechanical pulses into tissue that activate your body's own repair signalling. It targets the biology underneath the pain, not just the symptom.
We use true focused shockwave, not just radial.
Unpain Clinic uses both focused and radial shockwave, selecting the right type and depth for your specific tissue and condition. Most clinics only offer one.
It's always paired with a plan.
Shockwave works best when combined with targeted rehabilitation. At Unpain, every session is part of a broader treatment strategy designed for lasting results, not a quick fix.
60-minute one-on-one assessment + treatment plan.
No pressure, no contracts.
If any of this sounds like you, keep reading.
You've tried physio, rest, maybe even injections, and it helped for a while but didn't last. You feel like you're running out of options.
You've been told you might need surgery, but you want to try everything non-invasive first.
You've tried shockwave somewhere else and it didn't work. You're not sure if it was the wrong device, the wrong technique, or the wrong diagnosis.
Your pain has been there for months or years. It gets better, then worse, and you can't figure out the pattern.
You want something that actually restores function, not just dulls the pain temporarily.
Watch First
Before you read another word, this short video explains what shockwave actually does inside your body, why it works for some problems and not others, and how we use it at Unpain.
Prefer to read? Keep scrolling. Everything is covered below.
The Basics
Shockwave therapy (ESWT) delivers high-energy sound waves from outside the body into a targeted area. Think of it as a "mechanical reset signal" that nudges tissues and nerves out of a stagnant state by delivering controlled pulses that prompt a cellular response.
Focused shockwave concentrates energy to a selected depth, reaching deeper tissues precisely. Radial shockwave produces pressure at the applicator surface and affects more superficial structures. Both have their place, and the right choice depends on what tissue needs to be reached.
Originally used in medicine to break down kidney stones, shockwave technology expanded into musculoskeletal care decades ago. It is now one of the most studied non-invasive, non-surgical treatment options for persistent pain and tissue dysfunction.
How it works in your body
In short, shockwave therapy works by delivering controlled mechanical pulses that trigger your body's own repair biology. It doesn't mask pain. It creates the conditions for tissue to heal and remodel from the inside out.
Why This Is Different
Cortisone injections
Cortisone injections can reduce pain for weeks or months, but the relief is temporary. Repeated injections carry their own risks, and they don't drive tissue repair.
Targets repair biology
Studies found that shockwave therapy outperformed cortisone injections for pain reduction, with a higher rate of patients achieving meaningful pain relief. Shockwave targets repair biology, not just pain suppression.
Physiotherapy and exercise
Physiotherapy and exercise can improve strength and function, but some people plateau when tissue isn't responding to load the way it should.
Amplifies rehab
Expert consensus endorses combining shockwave with physiotherapy exercises for better results. Shockwave can create a window of improved tissue biology that allows rehab to take hold more effectively.
Ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy provides gentle deep heating but may not deliver enough mechanical stimulus to trigger meaningful tissue-level change in chronic cases.
A different category of stimulus
Studies found shockwave produced substantially greater pain reductions than ultrasound therapy at both short and medium follow-up intervals. The mechanical energy in shockwave is a different category of stimulus.
Pain medication
Pain medication can take the edge off, but it doesn't change the tissue or drive repair. Long-term use carries side effect risks, and it can delay healing biology.
Non-pharmaceutical repair signalling
Shockwave is non-pharmaceutical. It works through mechanical stimulation that activates repair signalling. Clinical guidance recommends avoiding anti-inflammatory medication during treatment specifically because it could interfere with the remodelling process shockwave initiates.
Shockwave therapy is not a replacement for every treatment. For some conditions, it works best when combined with manual therapy, exercise, or other approaches. We'll tell you exactly what combination makes sense for your case.
Our Experience
Shockwave therapy is at the core of what Unpain Clinic does. Our clinicians use true focused shockwave alongside radial pressure wave therapy, selecting the right type and energy level based on each patient's tissue depth, condition, and response.
Most clinics in Edmonton offer only radial shockwave, which is effective for superficial structures but limited in its reach. Focused shockwave concentrates energy to a selected depth, which is critical for deeper tissue targets. Having both means we match the tool to the problem, not the other way around.
Device quality and clinician skill matter. Published clinical guidance repeatedly highlights that shockwave outcomes are sensitive to dose, targeting, and how the treatment is titrated to each patient's tolerance. At Unpain, every session is clinician-led and individually adjusted, not a standardized "machine appointment."
YOUR EXPERIENCE
FIRST VISIT
Your clinician assesses the full region, not just the painful spot. They look at movement, underlying causes, and contributing factors to understand what's actually driving your pain.
They determine whether focused shockwave, radial shockwave, or a combination is appropriate for your tissue type and depth, and whether other modalities should be part of the plan.
You walk out with a clear written plan, including treatment recommendations and transparent pricing before you commit to anything.
SESSIONS 1 to 5
Each session takes 15 to 20 minutes. Your clinician treats the broader region, not just the most painful point, starting at lower energy and titrating up to your tolerance. Sessions are typically spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart.
Shockwave may be combined with other modalities (EMTT, manual therapy, rehabilitation exercises) depending on your case. Your clinician adjusts the combination as you progress.
Progress is tracked between sessions using pain and function measures. The treatment plan is adjusted based on how your tissue responds.
Goal: significant clinical benefit typically begins around 6 weeks, with effects that may last 6 to 12 months based on expert consensus.
6+ WEEKS AND BEYOND
Targeted rehabilitation exercises are layered in during and after your shockwave course to use the "window" of improved tissue biology and build lasting capacity.
Home exercise programming and self-management strategies help you maintain improvements and progressively return to full activity.
Follow-up assessments determine whether further sessions or a maintenance plan is needed. For severe chronic or degenerative cases, periodic sessions may be recommended. Your clinician will be clear about what to expect.
DURING TREATMENT
Before your session
No special preparation is needed. Your clinician will review any medication considerations (anti-inflammatory use is typically paused during the treatment course). A coupling gel is applied to the skin, and the clinician locates the treatment area through clinical assessment and your feedback.
During the session
Each session takes 15 to 20 minutes. You'll feel rhythmic pulses, sometimes described as a deep tapping or pressure sensation. It can be uncomfortable on sensitive areas, but your clinician starts at low energy and increases gradually to your tolerance. Local anesthesia is not used. The treatment covers the broader region, not just the single most painful point.
After your session
Some people feel immediate relief. Others experience increased soreness for up to 72 hours, which is a normal response. There is no downtime, no range-of-motion restrictions for most cases. Acetaminophen is recommended over anti-inflammatories if you need pain management after the session. Results build cumulatively over weeks.
Shockwave is not painless. Most people describe it as "intense but tolerable." Your clinician controls the energy level throughout the session and adjusts based on your response. The discomfort is brief, purposeful, and always within your control.
EVIDENCE
Shockwave therapy has been studied in hundreds of clinical trials across musculoskeletal conditions over multiple decades. Here's what the published evidence consistently shows.
Many meta-analyses found shockwave therapy reduced pain significantly compared to placebo, and outperformed both ultrasound therapy and cortisone injections for pain outcomes at short and medium follow-up.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 clinical studies across multiple tendon conditions found statistically significant pain reductions with shockwave therapy, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large depending on the condition.
International sports medicine experts reached consensus that combining shockwave with physiotherapy exercises produces better outcomes than either approach alone, supporting its role as a rehabilitation amplifier.
Expert consensus estimates significant clinical benefit begins around 6 weeks after starting treatment, with effects lasting a median of approximately 10 months for tendon-related conditions.
Preclinical research in bone healing models shows shockwave is associated with increased new blood vessel formation and higher levels of key growth and repair markers, supporting the mechanotransduction mechanism.
Evidence is strongest for pain reduction in tendon and fascial conditions. For functional outcomes, results are more variable and often depend on how shockwave is combined with rehabilitation. Protocol differences (device type, energy, session count) are a major reason some people respond better than others. We assess all of this during your visit.
Outcomes are group averages from clinical trials. Individual results vary.
SAFETY
Shockwave therapy is generally considered safe and well-tolerated when performed by qualified clinicians. It has a multi-decade safety history in medicine. Minor side effects are common and expected. Rare serious complications have been reported in the literature.
Pain at the treatment area during and after the session (expected; usually resolves within 72 hours).
Skin redness or bruising at the treatment site (temporary).
Mild swelling or hematoma formation at the treated area (usually resolves on its own).
Temporary nerve irritation with numbness or tingling (uncommon; typically transient).
People with persistent musculoskeletal pain that has not responded fully to first-line conservative care (rest, exercise, physio).
People looking for a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical option before considering more invasive procedures.
People with tendon, fascia, or chronic soft tissue conditions who want an evidence-backed treatment that targets tissue repair biology.
People who want to combine shockwave with active rehabilitation for the best chance of lasting improvement.
People with active malignancy near the treatment area (this is a contraindication).
People who are pregnant should discuss this with their clinician before treatment.
People with pacemakers, implantable devices, or significant bleeding disorders should inform their clinician for screening.
People who have had a recent corticosteroid injection in the area, or who are taking blood thinners, should discuss timing with their clinician.
Not sure if shockwave is right for you? That's exactly what the assessment is for. We'll review your full history before recommending any treatment.
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YOUR NEXT STEP
Stop guessing whether this technology will work for your case. Book an assessment and get a clear answer.
Shockwave Therapy Assessment — Edmonton — Edmonton
60-minute one-on-one session. Here's what's included:
Thorough assessment of your pain, movement, and history.
Clinical evaluation of whether focused shockwave, radial, or a combination is appropriate.
Review of imaging and prior treatments if available.
Clear written plan with transparent pricing before you commit.
No referral needed. No obligation to continue beyond the first visit.
No pressure, no contracts.
No referral needed. No obligation to continue beyond the first visit. We will tell you honestly at the assessment if we don't believe shockwave therapy is the right approach for your case. If your condition needs something different, we'll refer you directly.
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