ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy)

Gebze

ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) in Gebze is available at 1 hospital in the Voumed network.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-surgical, drug-free treatment that delivers high-energy acoustic waves generated outside the body to a painful or slow-healing tissue. The waves pass harmlessly through the skin and concentrate on the target area, where they stimulate the body's own repair processes. ESWT is used mainly for long-standing tendon, joint and soft-tissue problems that have not responded well to rest, medication or standard physiotherapy. Sessions are short, done in the clinic without anaesthesia, and afterwards most people return straight to their day. It is delivered as part of a rehabilitation plan rather than on its own.

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At a glance

Type: rehabilitation device (shock wave therapy)
Used for: chronic tendon, joint and soft-tissue pain
Key benefit: non-surgical, drug-free pain relief and healing support
Session: roughly ten to twenty minutes, no anaesthesia needed
Where it is used: advanced rehabilitation and physiotherapy centres abroad

What it is

An ESWT system is a device with a handpiece, or applicator, that produces controlled acoustic pulses called shock waves. These are mechanical pressure waves, similar in nature to sound, not electric shocks. The energy and depth can be adjusted to suit the tissue being treated, from a tendon close to the surface to a deeper attachment near a joint. Different settings produce focused or radial waves, but in every case the goal is the same: to deliver a precise dose of mechanical energy to a specific area that is slow to heal.

How it works

At the start of a session the therapist locates the painful area and applies a thin layer of gel so the waves pass smoothly into the tissue. The handpiece is then pressed against the skin and delivers a series of pulses to the target. These pulses are thought to boost local blood flow, prompt cells to begin repairing, calm the nerves that carry pain signals and encourage healthy new tissue to form. By gently stressing a stubborn, chronically inflamed area, ESWT can effectively restart a healing response that had stalled. A typical course runs over several weekly sessions, and the therapist adjusts the intensity to keep treatment comfortable.

What it helps with and who it helps

ESWT is most often used for chronic conditions such as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, frozen shoulder, calcific shoulder tendons, Achilles and other tendon problems, and certain slow-healing fractures. It suits people whose pain has lasted for months and who would prefer to avoid injections or surgery if possible. It is not the right choice for every problem, so a specialist examines the area, reviews any scans and confirms the diagnosis before recommending it as part of a wider treatment plan.

Benefits and what to expect

Because ESWT is non-surgical and needs no anaesthesia, there is no operation and no real recovery time, and most patients walk out and continue their day. Many notice that pain eases and movement improves gradually over the course of treatment rather than after a single session. During the pulses some people feel a tapping sensation or mild discomfort at the treated spot, which the therapist can ease by adjusting the device. A little tenderness for a day or two afterwards is normal. As with any therapy, results vary from person to person, and ESWT works best combined with exercises and the rest of the rehabilitation programme.

Frequently asked questions

These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.

Is it painful?

Most people feel a tapping or pressing sensation and only mild discomfort during the pulses, not sharp pain. The therapist can lower the intensity at any time, and there is no need for anaesthesia. Some short-lived tenderness in the area for a day or two afterwards is normal.

Who is it for?

It is mainly for people with long-standing tendon, joint or soft-tissue pain that has not improved with rest, medication or basic physiotherapy. A specialist confirms the diagnosis and checks that the treatment is suitable for your particular problem.

How many sessions will I need?

Treatment is usually given as a short course of several sessions, often once a week, with the exact number depending on your condition and how it responds. Improvement tends to build gradually across the course rather than all at once.

Is it part of a wider programme?

Yes. ESWT is normally combined with stretching, strengthening and other physiotherapy so the treated tissue not only heals but also regains strength and function. The team plans these elements together.

Can children use it?

ESWT is used mainly in adults. In children it is considered only in selected cases and with care, since growing bones and tissues need special caution, so it is offered only when a specialist judges it appropriate.