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Shockwave therapy · Questions, answered

Focused Shockwave Therapy FAQ

The questions people ask most about focused shockwave, answered briefly, with a link to the fuller explanation for each.

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In short
Sessions are usually 15 to 30 minutes, and mild, temporary discomfort is common. Your provider sets how many sessions you have. Downtime is minimal. Most insurance does not cover it, so sessions are self-pay or use membership credits. Research is mixed: it depends on the condition, results vary and not everyone responds. Every plan starts with an evaluation by a provider.

Updated October 30, 2026 · Educational information, not medical advice. Results vary, and not everyone is a candidate.

Where to start

If you have tendon or heel pain that has gone on for months, the first step is an evaluation with Charles Ortega, PA-C or Rowena Calleja, PT at our Addison clinic. They decide whether shockwave is appropriate for you or whether something else should come first. See your first shockwave visit, book online or call (214) 233-3094.

New to shockwave? Start with what focused shockwave is.

More help

Have a question not listed here? Send us a request and our team will call you back. Atendemos a nuestros pacientes en español.

Frequently asked questions

Mild, temporary discomfort during and after a session is common and usually settles quickly. In trials, temporary pain, redness and swelling at the site were the side effects reported most often. Tell the staff member if it feels like too much. See what to expect.
Sessions are usually 15 to 30 minutes. A gel is applied to the skin and the waves are focused on the painful area. At the first session, staff locate the most tender area to target. See what to expect.
Your provider sets the number and spacing of sessions based on your evaluation. For comparison, one large trial in people with long-lasting heel pain used three sessions a week apart. See what to expect.
Downtime is minimal, and most people go back to their usual day. During the course of sessions, your provider may ask you to avoid high-impact activity and anti-inflammatory medicines. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without asking the prescriber. Ask your provider which kinds of exercise are fine for you.
Most insurance plans do not cover shockwave therapy, so the sessions are self-pay. Your evaluation office visit may be billable to insurance. Ask our team for current self-pay pricing. See cost and memberships.
Yes. One focused shockwave session uses 5 credits. Silver (6 credits) covers 1 session a month, Gold 2, Platinum 3 and Diamond 4. New members get a complimentary 20-minute provider visit first. See cost and memberships.
A review of shockwave lists a serious bleeding disorder, pregnancy (the waves must not be aimed near a fetus) and serious infection in the area among the reasons not to use it. Tell your provider about blood thinners, pregnancy, implants and other health conditions. See safety and side effects.
It depends on the condition, and results vary. In a randomized trial of people with chronic heel pain, heel pain scores fell by an average of 69.2% after focused shockwave, compared with 34.5% after a placebo treatment. For tennis elbow, a Cochrane review found little or no benefit over placebo. NICE in the UK describes the evidence for heel pain and tennis elbow as inconsistent. Not everyone responds. See heel pain and tennis and golfer's elbow.
Focused devices concentrate their energy at a point below the skin. Radial devices spread their energy out, and it is strongest at the skin surface. They are different tools and the research on one does not automatically apply to the other. See focused vs. radial shockwave.
Yes, when your provider thinks it fits. Physical therapy is covered by insurance, and exercise is often part of the plan for tendon pain. See physical therapy.

Sources

Keep reading

Next in the shockwave guide

What Is Focused Shockwave Therapy?

The device, its history, the research, and what it is not.

Read

Your First Shockwave Visit in Addison

What the first visit covers, who you will see and how to book.

Read

Shockwave Therapy Cost and Memberships

Self-pay, insurance, membership credits and payment plans.

Read

See everything in the shockwave guide

Wondering whether shockwave fits your pain?

Book a consultation at our Addison clinic. A provider examines the area, explains your options, and tells you plainly whether focused shockwave makes sense for you.

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