Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a gentle and effective method of treating various orthopedic conditions.

Typical areas of application:

AchillodyniaCalcaneal spurImpingement syndromeKnee complaintsTennis elbowTension

Our stations for Shockwave Therapy

Together with you, we select the most suitable methods from the various areas of physiotherapy. You can choose which physiotherapist you would like to be treated by at our locations in and around Zurich.

Physio Station Affoltern

Physio Station Albisrieden

Physio Station Dietikon

Physio Station Schlieren

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal focused shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment method that uses high-energy sound waves to treat various types of conditions. The sound waves generated penetrate up to 3 cm into the tissue and are therefore extremely effective for complaints in the area of the musculoskeletal system. Shockwave therapy takes just a few minutes and is used alongside other physiotherapy methods and treatments such as stretching, manual therapy, muscle training and coordination and proprioception training.

This method is successfully used to treat various types of tendonitis, poorly healing fractures and other orthopaedic conditions.

Who is a candidate for shockwave therapy and who is not?

Shockwave therapy is used in many areas of medicine and is particularly helpful when tissue deep inside the body needs to be treated without surgery. It can be successfully used to treat inflammation, calcifications or injuries. Typical conditions for which shockwave therapy is used are heel spurs, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis and calcific tendonitis of the shoulder.

However, ESWT is not suitable for everyone. There are certain situations and conditions in which this form of physiotherapy should be avoided, for example in patients who have any of the following:

Blood clotting disorders
Malignant tumor diseases
Acute inflammation and open wounds in the treatment area
Pregnancy
Large nerves or blood vessels in the treatment area

A thorough medical history and consultation with our therapists in Zurich is therefore essential before starting physiotherapy treatment with ESWT to clarify potential risks.

How does shockwave therapy treatment work?

The application of ESWT begins with you being placed in a stable, relaxed position. Then our therapists align the shock wave device with the area of your body to be treated. By means of a gel applied to the skin, the shock waves generated by the device are transmitted into the body. The focused shockwave therapy is characterized by the fact that the shockwaves are targeted at a specific point in your body. A single treatment usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes. Normally, one to a maximum of three physiotherapy sessions are carried out at intervals of one to four weeks in order to treat the complaints as effectively as possible.

The advantages of shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy offers numerous advantages, including:

promoting bone growth: shockwave therapy stimulates the cells in the bone, in particular osteoblasts, which are responsible for new bone formation. This can accelerate the healing process of bone fractures.
Improvement of blood flow: Shock waves can improve blood circulation in the treated areas by promoting the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). This helps to ensure that more oxygen and nutrients reach the affected tissue.
Formation of growth factors: Shockwaves can stimulate the release of growth factors. These biochemical signaling molecules promote cell regeneration and play a crucial role in tissue healing.
Tissue repair and regeneration: Shockwave therapy promotes tissue repair by stimulating the activation of stem cells. This is particularly relevant for the regeneration of muscle and tendon tissue.
Relief of pain syndromes: Shockwaves can alleviate pain by inhibiting pain signals and reducing inflammation. This makes shockwave therapy particularly effective in relieving chronic pain syndromes.
Reducing rehabilitation time: Shockwave therapy can accelerate the healing process and promote tissue regeneration, which can lead to a shorter rehabilitation time. This process is particularly important after injuries, operations or in the case of musculoskeletal complaints.

Questions and answers

Do you have any questions? Here are some of the most common ones:

Is shockwave therapy painful?

During the treatment, you may experience pain, but it is tolerable. If the pain becomes too intense for you, we can always reduce the energy of the sound waves or interrupt the treatment.

How many sessions are required for successful treatment?

We can usually alleviate your complaints within one to three physiotherapy sessions. The sessions are carried out at intervals of two to four weeks. Depending on the individual case, the number and the interval between sessions may vary.

Are there any side effects associated with shockwave therapy?

After the treatment, there may be temporary redness of the skin, but this is a normal reaction to the stimulation of the tissue. In rare cases, the symptoms may worsen for a few days, but this is usually part of the short-term healing process. If you have any questions, you can contact your therapist directly at any time.

How much does the shockwave treatment cost?

The costs of shockwave therapy depend on the condition being treated. On average, you can expect to pay between CHF 55 and 90 per physiotherapy session.

Does health insurance cover shockwave therapy?

The reimbursement of costs for shockwave therapy by statutory health insurance providers varies. It is advisable to find out about costs and reimbursement options before starting therapy. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions.

Self-directed training

Prevent chronic complaints by exercising regularly.

With a training subscription at the Physio Station, you not only relieve acute pain, but also prevent recurring symptoms in the long term. At the same time, you improve your mobility and strengthen your muscles. In this way, you can improve your quality of life in the long term and lead an active, pain-free life.