Shockwave Therapy for Golfers: Heal Chronic Injuries Without Surgery

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (aka ESWT, Shocwave, Stemwave, Softshock) is highly effective for treating chronic, overuse golf injuries by using acoustic sound waves to jumpstart the body's natural healing response. Because of the repetitive, powerful, and asymmetric rotations produced by the golf swing, specific joints and tendons bear an uneven amount of stress. Shockwave therapy can treat and heal these types of soft tissue conditions by delivering acoustic (sound wave) pulses into the soft tissues in order to simulate micro-trauma, resulting in a breakdown of weak and brittle scar tissue, increase localized blood circulation and create new blood vessels, and stimulate collagen production to rebuild tissue strength.

In most cases, the ultimate benefit is that it requires zero surgical downtime and allows for modified loading, meaning you can often continue practicing your short game or swinging with an adjusted grip during your treatment protocol instead of shutting down for six weeks.

Common Golf Injuries Treated with Shockwave

• Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Resolves pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow where the flexor tendons attach.
• Lower Back Pain: Alleviates lumbar strain and deep tissue tension caused by aggressive torso twisting during the swing.
• Rotator Cuff Injuries: Breaks down scar tissue and restores shoulder strength or flexibility after repetitive overhead movements.
• Plantar Fasciitis: Heals chronic heel and foot pain resulting from walking long distances or transferring weight across the feet.

What to Expect During a Session

1. Application: The practitioner applies a coupling gel to the skin over the injured area to help transmit the sound waves. 
2. Sensation: A handheld wand delivers acoustic pulses that feel like a fast, rhythmic tapping or a "little jackhammer".
3. Discomfort: The treatment can be mildly uncomfortable or tender over sensitive areas, but the sensation resolves immediately after the device is turned off.
4. Timeline: A typical protocol involves 3 to 6 sessions lasting 5 to 20 minutes each for acute conditions. Chronic conditions may require 12 or more sessions.Sessions can be performed 1 to 3 times per week.  While initial pain relief can occur in 1 to 2 visits, full tissue remodeling takes 10 to 15 weeks.

Important Safety and Medical Precautions

• Avoid NSAIDs: You must pause anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen) because they block the beneficial healing response that the shockwaves are trying to trigger.
• Steroid Injections: You cannot receive shockwave therapy if you have had a cortisone injection in the target area within the last 6 weeks. 
• Contraindications: Do not use shockwave if you are pregnant, wear a pacemaker, have a blood clotting disorder, or take oral blood thinners. 
• Insurance Notice: ESWT is rarely covered by standard commercial insurance or Medicare for musculoskeletal conditions, so expect to pay out-of-pocket per session.