Shockwave Therapy Melbourne
EMS Swiss DolorClast Shockwave Therapy at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics
At Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics we are always looking to invest in the latest technology to help our patients, so our podiatrists now offer shockwave therapy at our Melbourne podiatry clinic.
Shockwave therapy is effective in podiatry for treating chronic musculoskeletal conditions where tissue healing has slowed or stalled. It is especially useful for helping to treat chronic foot, ankle and heel pain.
At Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics we always invest in the best technology available. So when it comes to shockwave therapy, our podiatrists only use the Swiss-made EMS DolorClast® Radial Shockwave, as it is the most clinically proven and evidence-based shockwave therapy system in the world.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, specifically Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (RESWT), is an advanced non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing in soft tissues. These waves stimulate the body’s natural healing response by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration.
How does Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy work?
Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (RESWT) uses compressed air to generate high-energy acoustic waves, which are transmitted into the body through a handheld applicator. These controlled shock waves are delivered to the injured tissues, which triggers a cascade of metabolic reactions that stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
Shockwave therapy stimulates cavitation
Cavitation refers to the formation and collapse of small gas bubbles in fluids, like water in the body, during the negative phase of the shock wave. This process is thought to contribute to the therapeutic effects of the therapy by creating secondary shock waves and microtrauma that stimulate healing. The amount of cavitation is where the Swiss EMS DolorClast® Radial Shockwave system excels compared to other inferior shockwave systems.
Shockwave therapy reduces substance P
Substance P is a neurotransmitter present in nerves and tissues, playing a key role in pain signaling and inflammation. Shockwave therapy helps lower the levels of substance P in nerve endings and surrounding tissue. This leads to pain relief by decreasing pain signals sent to the brain, reducing neurogenic inflammation, and supports better healing and improved function over time.
How does shockwave help tissue repair?
Shockwave therapy helps tissues repair by:
Increasing blood circulation and metabolic activity
Reducing inflammation
Reducing pain through nerve stimulation
Breaking down scar tissue and calcifications
Enhancing collagen production and accelerating tissue repair
In podiatry this makes shockwave therapy highly effective in treating stubborn, chronic foot problems that don’t respond well to other traditional treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medications, injections and orthotics.
Why you should choose the EMS Swiss DolorClast® for Effective Shockwave Treatment
Not all shockwave therapy systems are created equal. Many lower-cost, less effective alternatives are used by some practitioners. At Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics, we use the EMS Swiss DolorClast® Radial Shockwave System—the industry leader in shockwave technology. This system has been proven to deliver greater energy and cavitation, resulting in superior healing outcomes.
Backed by strong evidence-based research, the EMS DolorClast® System reports success rates of up to 80%*. In contrast, other systems often fall short in both effectiveness and scientific support.
* The PEDro database (pedro.org.au) is a freely available database of over 37,000 randomised controlled trials (RCTs). 30/45 of the RCTs on Radial Shockwave Therapy listed on the PEDro database were performed with the Swiss DolorClast® Radial Shockwave Device. In 80% of the studies, the Swiss DolorClast® resulted in better clinical outcomes than the control group.
Advantages of Shockwave Therapy in Podiatry
Shockwave therapy offers several advantages for patients seeking non-surgical relief from chronic foot and ankle conditions:
Non-invasive and drug-free
Quick in-clinic treatment (can be performed during a standard 30 minute consultation)
Minimal downtime and fast recovery – you can walk out after treatment
Accelerates healing in chronic injuries
Can reduce or eliminate the need for surgery
Backed by research and widely used in sports medicine
Excellent for stubborn, treatment-resistant pain, including difficult-to-treat foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis and heel pain
Common Foot & Ankle Conditions Treated with Shockwave
Shockwave therapy is effective for a variety of foot and lower limb conditions, including:
Plantar fasciitis and plantar heel pain
Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
Peroneal Tendinopathy
Tibialis Anterior Tendinopathy
Shockwave Therapy success in treating Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis and plantar heel pain are often stubborn chronic conditions that are difficult to treat with more traditional treatments. Patients often find that their condition becomes chronic (sometimes lasting months and years without improvement), fails other treatments, and the decrease in mobility affects both physical and mental wellbeing.
The good news is that shockwave therapy provides an alternative drug-free treatment with proven evidence backed results. The studies below on the PEDro database are just a few of the multiple studies that underscore the clinically proven effectiveness of shockwave therapy in treating chronic heel pain and plantar fasciitis.
Melese et al. (2022)
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
This high-quality review found that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is effective in reducing pain and improving foot function in people with chronic plantar fasciitis.
🔗 View on PEDro
Pisirici et al. (2022)
Randomized controlled trial comparing ESWT to Graston technique
ESWT significantly reduced pain and improved function more effectively than Graston soft-tissue mobilization in patients with chronic plantar heel pain.
🔗 View on PEDro
Orhan et al. (2023)
Randomized trial comparing ESWT, corticosteroid injection, and kinesio taping
ESWT outperformed both corticosteroid injections and kinesio taping for pain relief and functional outcomes in plantar fasciitis treatment.
🔗 View on PEDro
At Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics, we apply this evidence-based care to help our patients get real, lasting relief with chronic heel pain.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Shockwave Therapy is safe with minimal side effects
Shockwave therapy is very safe when performed by qualified podiatrists like our team at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics. Any side effects are typically mild, short-lived and self-resolving. Potential side effects include:
Temporary pain or discomfort at the treatment site
Redness, swelling, or bruising
Tingling or numbness (rare)
Skin irritation or hematoma
While delivering shockwave therapy can be somewhat uncomfortable during treatment, it is generally well tolerated and most patients are grateful for the pain relief of their chronic condition following treatment, which is one of the major benefits.
Contraindications to Shockwave Therapy
Our Melbourne foot clinic advises that you should NOT receive shockwave treatment if you have any of the following:
Pregnancy
Are under the age of 18 (due to presence of growth plates in children or adolescents)
Bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant therapy (e.g. warfarin)
Blood clotting disorders (e.g. haemophilia, thrombosis)
Infection or open wounds at the treatment site
Tumours or cancer near the treatment area
Severe cardiovascular, circulation or neurological conditions
Corticosteroid injection in the treatment area within the past 6 weeks
Presence of metal implants in or near the treatment area (at clinician’s discretion)
Our podiatrists will always review your medical history before recommending shockwave treatment.
Shockwave Treatment at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics
A typical shockwave therapy treatment session at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics lasts 30 minutes. Delivering the actual shock waves to the tissue takes approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on the number of sites. The process involves:
The podiatrist will palpate to find the painful injured tissue and the treatment site will be marked. Previous diagnostic studies may also be useful to determine target areas.
Gel is applied to the skin to transmit the shock waves to the tissue.
Shock waves are delivered based on the patient’s biofeedback and pain tolerance levels. A total of 2,000 shocks are delivered to a specific treatment site.
Immediately after treatment many patients experience pain relief from their symptoms. You can walk or drive home afterwards. No downtime is required and daily activities should not be affected. You may be advised to reduce high-impact activities for 24–48 hours post-treatment.
After treatment you may feel some soreness, which may intensify on the night of treatment. Simple analgesia and icing may be required to control this pain. There may also be some minor bruising in the treatment area.
Whilst shockwave therapy can be uncomfortable, it is generally well tolerated and treatment sessions are adjusted to your tolerable pain level.
Typical Shockwave Therapy Treatment Plan
A typical shockwave treatment plan involves:
Your condition will be first thoroughly diagnosed and assessed by one of our podiatrists during an initial consultation. In depth diagnostic studies may be requested to aid diagnosis. If shockwave therapy is indicated the podiatrist will discuss this with you and plan your shockwave sessions.
3 initial shockwave sessions spaced no more than 1 week apart are scheduled. Depending on your condition and your response you may require up to 5 sessions, although 3 is usually sufficient to produce change.
6 weeks of rest from shockwave therapy to allow tissue healing. Other adjunct treatments such as taping, strapping, dry needling, orthotics and physical therapy may be used during this period to help achieve results.
Results may begin after the first session and improve progressively over the treatment course.
Our podiatrists will always tailor the number of sessions to your condition and progress.
While shockwave therapy is supported by strong evidence, the human body is a complex structure, and results cannot always be guaranteed. However, when used correctly, it should not cause harm or worsen your condition. A thorough diagnosis and the use of other adjunct treatments are often crucial for achieving success.
Why choose Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics for Shockwave Therapy?
There are good reasons to choose Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics for shockwave therapy. This includes:
We use the best shockwave therapy system on the market. The EMS Swiss DolorClast® Radial Shockwave which is the most clinically proven and evidence-based shockwave therapy system in the world.
All of our podiatrists are highly trained in shockwave therapy, including its safety protocols and clinical indications.
Our podiatrists have experience and knowledge with using shockwave to help get the best results with plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
Our podiatrists conduct a thorough diagnosis and assessment before shockwave therapy is recommended. Shockwave treatment plans are tailor made to your condition and to your individual needs.
Remember shockwave therapy is generally only part of the solution. Treating other causes like footwear and biomechanics will help you heal. This is where our podiatrists excel.
FAQ
Shockwave therapy at Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics incurs an additional cost of $90 on top of our standard consultation fee. This fee includes up to 4,000 shocks, which typically covers 1 to 2 treatment sites at 2,000 shocks each. Additional shocks or sites will incur an extra charge.
Additional strapping, taping or consumables used during a session will incur an extra charge and will be charged separately.
Shockwave is an advanced treatment modality using the latest technology. We use the EMS Swiss DolorClast® System because it is the best and most clinically proven. It is at the high end of the market when it comes to radial shockwave systems.
When comparing the cost of shockwave treatment, it is important to consider both the system a clinic uses and the expertise of the practitioner. Cheaper systems are often inferior, and poor expertise may lead to prolonged chronic pain and higher medical expenses.
While shockwave therapy is somewhat expensive, it still compares favorably to other high-cost treatments, such as radiology-guided cortisone injections and PRP injections. Shockwave therapy is also better supported by evidence-based research than these alternative treatments.
Finally, shockwave therapy is often the preferred non-invasive option compared to surgery, which tends to be far more costly.
While shockwave therapy can be uncomfortable during treatment, it is generally well tolerated and does not require any anaesthetic. Our podiatrists will also adjust the energy output to match your pain tolerance to ensure the treatment remains comfortable.
Shockwave therapy with EMS Swiss DolorClast® Radial System reports an overall success rate of 80%, meaning that in some cases, it may not work. However, provided it is used correctly, it shouldn’t cause harm or worsen your condition.
There are several reasons why shockwave therapy might not be effective. The major ones include:
SHOCKWAVE SYSTEM – An inferior shockwave system may have been used, which was not capable of delivering the energy required to promote tissue regeneration.
PRACTITIONER EXPERTISE – Other underlying causes of your condition may not have been thoroughly diagnosed or addressed during the treatment plan. Additionally, shockwave therapy may have been poorly administered or applied to a contraindicated site.
Typically, 3 to 5 weekly sessions are recommended, depending on your condition and how your body responds to treatment.
Many patients notice improvement after just 1 or 2 sessions, with the best results typically occurring 6 weeks or more after the final treatment, as tissue repair continues.
Yes, most people can resume normal activities immediately. However, we recommend avoiding high-impact exercise for 24–48 hours after a treatment session.
We recommend checking with your health insurer, as some extras cover may include podiatry services like shockwave therapy under item code 145.
Are your feet ready to heal with Shockwave Therapy?
At Melbourne Podiatrists & Orthotics, we invest in the latest technology, such as the EMS Swiss DolorClast Radial Shockwave, to help treat chronic foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
If you have a chronic, non-healing foot condition, book an assessment with one our friendly Melbourne podiatrists to see if your feet can benefit from shockwave therapy today!