ESWT

Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy directs acoustic energy to target treatment areas. It stimulates tissue repair, improves blood flow and supports healing in chronic conditions, often where recovery has stalled.

Call 303-388-6886

A grey-and-white mixed breed resting on a mat while a shockwave handpiece is applied to his hindquarter

What it is, in plain terms

Despite the name, nothing electrical happens. A handheld probe delivers pulses of acoustic energy, sound pressure waves, into a specific area of tissue.

The name frightens people far more than the treatment frightens dogs.

Where it earns its place

Shockwave tends to come out for problems that have stopped moving, the injury that healed to a point and then stalled, the chronic sore spot that has been there for months.

Chronic tendon and ligament problems. Where the tissue has had time to settle into a state that is not improving on its own.
Arthritic joints. Particularly hips, elbows and stifles in dogs who are managing but uncomfortable.
Slow-healing bone. Including some fractures and surgical sites that are taking longer than expected.
Back and neck pain. Often alongside manual therapy, which addresses a different part of the same problem.
Chronic wounds. Another of the stalled-healing problems where it is worth a try.

A golden retriever lying on a mat while a shockwave applicator is held to his hip

What a session looks like

The area is usually clipped and gel applied, as with an ultrasound. The probe is held against the skin and the machine delivers pulses, which make a distinct tapping noise.

It is louder than it is uncomfortable. Some dogs are unbothered; some need a moment to get used to the sound. Treatment of one area takes a few minutes.

It is charged per area treated, so a dog being treated in two places costs more than a dog being treated in one. The evaluation sets what is needed rather than treating everything by default.

What it is not

It is not a one-visit fix, and it is not a substitute for a diagnosis. If your dog has a problem that has not been worked up by a veterinarian, the first step is there rather than here.

It is also not right for every area, there are places on the body where shockwave should not be used, and part of what an evaluation decides is whether this is the right tool for this dog.

Questions

Questions we get asked

Does shockwave therapy hurt dogs?

It is more noisy than painful. The machine makes a distinct tapping sound as it works, and some dogs need a minute to get used to it. Most tolerate it well and treatment of one area takes only a few minutes.

What is shockwave therapy used for in dogs?

Chronic tendon and ligament problems, arthritic joints such as hips, elbows and stifles, slow-healing bone including some fractures and surgical sites, back and neck pain, and chronic wounds. It is most useful where healing has stalled.

How much does shockwave therapy cost?

Modalities including shockwave are $105 per session, with package rates of $500 for five and $1,000 for ten. It is charged for each area treated.

Is it the same as electrical stimulation?

No. Despite the name, shockwave uses acoustic energy, sound pressure waves, not electricity.

Often used together

Related treatments

A gray dog lying on a towel while a handheld therapeutic laser is passed over his back

Laser Therapy

Light that reaches deep into tissue without damaging it. Most pets settle and doze through it.

Magnetic Therapy

Non-invasive treatment for bone, tendon, muscle, nerve and ligament injuries.

A brindle French bulldog resting with a small PEMF loop on his collar strap

PEMF Therapy

A small loop on a collar strap, often continued at home between visits.

See all treatments

Start with a phone call

Tell us what you’ve noticed. We’ll tell you honestly whether we think we can help.

Call 303-388-6886