Shockwave Therapy
Heel spurs, tennis elbow, calcific shoulder: for stubborn tendon complaints we use radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) — targeted pressure waves that can stimulate blood flow and metabolism in the tissue and support your body’s own healing response. Non-invasive, embedded in your active physiotherapy in Kloten and Zurich West.
Key facts
- Radial shockwave therapy (rESWT) — non-invasive, no medication
- Usually 3–7 sessions, typically at weekly intervals
- Billed via basic health insurance (KVG) with a doctor’s prescription; after an accident via accident insurance (UVG)
- Locations in Kloten and Zurich West
Typical complaints
- Heel spur & plantar fasciitis — stabbing heel pain
- Achilles & patellar tendon — chronic tendinopathies
- Tennis & golfer’s elbow — irritated tendon attachments
- Calcific shoulder — calcium deposit in the rotator cuff
When shockwave therapy makes sense
When a tendon stays irritated for months — your heel stabs with the first steps in the morning, or your elbow protests at every grip — rest alone is rarely enough. This is where radial shockwave therapy comes in: targeted pressure waves applied to the affected tissue, which can stimulate circulation and the body’s own healing response. The evidence is strongest for chronic tendinopathies such as heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis and golfer’s elbow, calcific shoulder and patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee). During your initial assessment in Kloten or Zurich West we clarify whether the method suits your complaints.
How treatment works at our practice
We start with an assessment: history, examination of the tendon and a check for contraindications — we do not use shockwaves during pregnancy, with blood-clotting disorders or blood-thinning medication, over open growth plates or with infections in the treatment area. The applicator then delivers radial pressure waves precisely to the affected region; one zone takes only a few minutes, the impulses are clearly noticeable, and we adjust the intensity to your feedback throughout. As a rule we plan 3–7 sessions at weekly intervals — then we assess the effect together and decide on the next steps. Treatment is carried out by specifically trained therapists.
A building block, not a stand-alone fix
A course of shockwave therapy does not replace tendon training. Tendons become resilient through carefully dosed loading — so we embed the impulses in an active programme, for example eccentric training or heavy slow resistance, as part of our treatment for sports injuries. For muscular trigger points, dry needling can be a useful complement.
Frequently asked questions
What is shockwave therapy?
Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) is a non-invasive physiotherapy treatment: an applicator delivers high-energy pressure waves to the affected tissue from the outside — no injections, no medication. The impulses can stimulate blood flow and metabolism in the tissue and support the body’s own healing response. The evidence is strongest for chronic tendon complaints (tendinopathies).
Who is shockwave therapy suitable for?
Mainly for chronic tendon complaints that do not respond to rest: heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis and golfer’s elbow, calcific shoulder and patellar tendinopathy. It is not suitable during pregnancy, with blood-clotting disorders or blood-thinning medication, over open growth plates or with infections in the treatment area — we check this together during your initial assessment.
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
The impulses are clearly noticeable and can be briefly uncomfortable on irritated tissue — we continuously adjust the intensity to your feedback. One treatment zone takes only a few minutes. Afterwards, slight redness or tenderness is possible; both usually subside quickly.
Is shockwave therapy covered by health insurance?
Yes. Shockwave therapy is part of doctor-prescribed physiotherapy and is billed via basic health insurance (KVG); after an accident, via accident insurance (UVG). There is no separate extra charge for the shockwave treatment itself.
Booking: book online (German interface) or call us in English — Kloten 044 803 91 19, Zurich West 044 814 23 20.