If you’ve been dealing with heel pain, a stubborn tendon injury, or a condition that hasn’t responded to other treatments, shockwave therapy could be exactly what you need.

At Hurst Podiatry, we offer both radial and focused shockwave therapy — two distinct and highly effective forms of this evidence-based treatment. Having access to both technologies means we can choose the right tool for your specific condition, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. No referral is required — book directly and we’ll guide you through everything.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy (also known as ESWT — Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic energy pulses through the skin and into damaged tissue. These pulses reduce pain, stimulate the body’s natural healing response, and help address the underlying processes that keep a chronic injury from resolving on its own.

It is widely used in podiatry and sports medicine, supported by a strong body of clinical research, and is commonly incorporated as part of a broader treatment plan rather than used in isolation.

There are two main forms: radial shockwave and focused shockwave. Both are available at Hurst Podiatry. Read on to understand how each works and which may be right for you.

Radial Shockwave Therapy

Radial shockwave uses a pneumatic mechanism — a rapidly moving piece of metal inside the handpiece generates pressure pulses that radiate outward from the tip of the device. This means the energy spreads across a wider area, making it well suited to conditions that are more superficial or that affect a broad region of tissue.

It has been used clinically for decades and is one of the most thoroughly researched non-surgical treatments in musculoskeletal podiatry.

Here is how it helps:

It Restarts the Recovery of an Injury.

Chronic injuries can become “stuck” — the healing process stalls, and rather than recovering, the tissue gradually deteriorates. Radial shockwave creates a controlled level of microtrauma, which the body responds to as a low-level new injury. This triggers the healing cascade to restart and progress again.

It Increases Blood Flow to the Injury.

The reactivated healing response brings improved blood flow to the treated area. Better circulation delivers the oxygen, growth factors and nutrients the tissue needs to repair and rebuild.

It Stimulates Collagen Production.

Tendons, fascia and ligaments are predominantly made of collagen fibres. Shockwave stimulates the production of new, healthy collagen — the structural material your body needs to rebuild damaged tissue and restore full strength and function.

It Reduces the Chemicals That Drive Chronic Pain.

Shockwave helps break down Substance P — a peptide responsible for activating the pain receptors (NK1 receptors) that become sensitised in chronic injuries. Reducing Substance P lowers pain levels, even before the tissue has fully healed.

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Focused shockwave uses an electromagnetic or piezoelectric mechanism to converge acoustic energy at a precise focal point deep within the tissue — rather than spreading outward from the handpiece. This means the treatment can be directed exactly where the damage is, at the correct depth, with a level of accuracy that radial shockwave cannot match.

Focused ESWT has been used in medicine for decades — originally to break up kidney stones — and its application to musculoskeletal conditions is well supported by clinical research. It is not experimental.

Here is what makes it different:

Pinpoint Precision.

Energy is focused exactly where it needs to be — at the site of the damage, at the right depth in the tissue. This level of targeting allows us to treat specific pathology more directly, rather than treating a general area and hoping the energy reaches the problem.

It Reaches Deeper Pathology.

Some conditions — including Morton’s neuromas, deep plantar fascia tears and deeper tendon injuries — sit at a depth where radial shockwave cannot deliver effective energy. Focused shockwave can reach these structures and provide meaningful therapeutic benefit right at the source.

Less Disruption to Surrounding Tissue.

Because the energy converges at the focal point rather than spreading broadly, the surrounding healthy tissue is less affected. This makes focused shockwave a more targeted option for complex or sensitive presentations.

An Option When Other Treatments Haven’t Worked.

If you’ve had radial shockwave elsewhere — or tried other treatments — without achieving full resolution, focused shockwave may be the next step. Its precision and depth of penetration can make a real difference in cases that haven’t responded to previous approaches.

Which Type of Shockwave Do You Need?

Your podiatrist will make this call based on your assessment. But here is a general guide to how we think about it:

In many cases the decision is straightforward. In others, your podiatrist may recommend one type to begin with and reassess as treatment progresses. You do not need to know which type you need before you book — we will guide you through it at your appointment.

Conditions We Treat with Shockwave Therapy

Some of the common conditions our podiatrists use shockwave therapy — radial or focused — to treat include:

• Plantar fasciitis — one of the most common uses of shockwave therapy
• Achilles tendinopathy — both insertional and mid-portion
• Heel spurs
• Morton’s neuroma — focused shockwave is often preferred for this condition
• Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
• Sever’s disease (heel pain in children and adolescents)
• Peroneal tendinopathy
• Calcific tendinitis
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)

This is not an exhaustive list. If you are not sure whether your condition is suitable, book a consultation and we will let you know whether shockwave therapy is the right approach for you.

Why Choose Hurst Podiatry for Shockwave Therapy?

Both Radial and Focused Shockwave Available.

Having access to both technologies means we can match the treatment to your condition — not the other way around. Many clinics offer only one type of shockwave therapy. At Hurst Podiatry, your podiatrist has the full toolkit and will use whichever approach gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.

Your Podiatrist Decides — Based on Your Assessment.

We do not apply a one-size approach. Your assessment determines which modality we use, what settings we apply, and how many sessions are appropriate for your specific condition. You will always understand what we are doing and why — we believe in keeping you informed every step of the way.

Experienced Podiatrists in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.

Our team has extensive experience delivering shockwave therapy across a wide range of foot and ankle conditions. We stay current with the clinical evidence and continually refine our approach to give our patients the best possible results. When you come to Hurst Podiatry, you are in experienced hands.

Straightforward Pricing.

Shockwave therapy is $54 per session, regardless of which type is used. We will be upfront about how many sessions we anticipate you will need so you can plan accordingly — and we will reassess your progress as treatment continues.

No Referral Required.

You can book directly with us. We are available to patients of all ages. If you are in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs and dealing with a painful foot or ankle condition, we are here to help — and we want to make getting started as easy as possible.

Focused shockwave only available at Kilsyth clinic