Focused
Shockwave Therapy -
Information for Doctors
Clinical Information & Patient Referrals
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
​A Focused Shockwave Therapy Service for Your Patients
At Shockwave Therapy Centre, Bli Bli, we provide focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) for selected musculoskeletal conditions, particularly persistent tendon-related disorders and plantar heel pain.
With more than a decade of experience in shockwave therapy, our centre combines advanced German-engineered focused shockwave technology with individualised physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitation.
We welcome referrals from GPs, orthopaedic specialists, sports and exercise physicians, podiatrists, urologists and other healthcare professionals.
Our objective is to provide an appropriate non-invasive treatment option for selected patients, particularly when symptoms persist despite initial conservative management.
​
Clinical Indications – When to Consider a Referral
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) delivers acoustic energy to selected tissue depths, including deeper tendon attachments and bone-related structures. It may be considered for patients with persistent musculoskeletal conditions, particularly where conventional conservative treatment has provided insufficient improvement.
​
Bone Healing, Stress Fractures & Bone-Related Conditions
Focused shockwave therapy can deliver acoustic energy to bone and has been investigated for its potential to stimulate biological processes associated with bone repair and regeneration.
Applications under investigation or specialist management include:
> Delayed union and non-union fractures – as a potential adjunct in selected cases where fracture healing has been delayed or has failed.
> Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis) – particularly selected early-stage presentations, where research suggests possible benefits but evidence remains limited.
> Bone stress injuries and stress fractures – selected cases following appropriate diagnosis, imaging and assessment of healing status.
> Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) – persistent exercise-related tibial pain, where shockwave therapy has been studied as an adjunct to rehabilitation.
​
Referral considerations: Fracture non-union, osteonecrosis and suspected stress fractures require appropriate medical or orthopaedic assessment. Shockwave therapy is not a substitute for fracture stabilisation, offloading or established bone-health management.
​
Deep Insertional Tendinopathies & Enthesopathies
Focused shockwave therapy can deliver acoustic pulses to selected tendon and tendon-to-bone attachment regions, making it a potential treatment option for persistent tendinopathies.
Conditions considered for assessment include:
> Achilles tendinopathy – insertional and midportion presentations.
> Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) – persistent tendon pain associated with loading activities.
> Plantar fasciopathy – chronic plantar heel pain involving the plantar fascia attachment.
> Lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow) – persistent pain involving the common extensor tendon origin.
> Medial epicondylalgia (golfer's elbow) – chronic symptoms involving the common flexor tendon origin.
> Calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy – symptomatic calcific deposits affecting the shoulder.
Referral considerations: Focused shockwave therapy may be considered alongside appropriate progressive loading, physiotherapy and activity modification. Clinical effectiveness varies by condition, and evidence is mixed for some tendon disorders.
​
Deep Myofascial Pain & Trigger Points
Focused shockwave therapy has been investigated for selected myofascial pain conditions involving painful muscle regions and trigger points.
Its targeted acoustic delivery may allow treatment of deeper muscle structures, including:
> Quadratus lumborum – associated with certain presentations of lower back pain.
> Gluteus medius and surrounding gluteal muscles – associated with lateral hip and buttock pain.
> Iliopsoas region – selected deep hip flexor-related pain presentations, subject to anatomical and safety considerations.
> Other myofascial trigger points – persistent localised muscle pain and tenderness.
Potential treatment goals include reducing pain sensitivity, improving muscle-related function and supporting rehabilitation.
​
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Gluteal Tendinopathy)
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) commonly involves gluteus medius or minimus tendinopathy and may include associated peritrochanteric soft tissue irritation.
Focused shockwave therapy may be considered for selected patients with persistent lateral hip pain, particularly when symptoms have not responded adequately to initial conservative treatment.
Clinical presentations may include:
> Gluteus medius tendinopathy
> Gluteus minimus tendinopathy
> Persistent greater trochanteric pain syndrome
> Selected associated peritrochanteric soft tissue conditions
Treatment aims may include reducing pain and improving tolerance for walking, stairs, lying on the affected side and other daily activities.
Referral considerations: Assessment should distinguish gluteal tendinopathy from hip osteoarthritis, lumbar referred pain and other causes of lateral hip pain. Shockwave therapy may complement an individualised strengthening and load-management program.
​
Other Applications – Individual Assessment Required
We also provide assessments and treatment relating to:
​
Men's Health Conditions
> Erectile dysfunction: Low-intensity shockwave therapy is being investigated for selected men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. Evidence and guideline recommendations vary, and urological or medical assessment remains important.
​
> Peyronie's disease: Shockwave therapy may be considered for penile pain in selected patients. It is not recommended for correcting penile curvature or reducing plaque size.
​
Scars, Wounds, Cellulite
> Scar-related symptoms: Research is developing, particularly for pain and itching associated with pathological burn, keloid and hypertrophic scars. Evidence for other scar types is limited.
​
> Cellulite: An emerging cosmetic application with limited evidence for focused shockwave therapy and uncertain long-term outcomes.
​
These applications have different evidence bases and should not be regarded as equivalent to established musculoskeletal indications.
​
Why Focused Shockwave Therapy?
Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy delivers acoustic pulses that converge towards a selected treatment region.
It differs from radial pressure wave therapy in the generation, distribution and physical characteristics of the delivered energy.
​
Focused shockwave technology offers:
> Targeted delivery of acoustic energy
> Adjustable treatment parameters according to clinical presentation and device capabilities
> Non-invasive application without surgical incisions
> Potential use as an adjunct to appropriate rehabilitation
> An option for selected patients seeking further conservative management
Both focused and radial technologies have been investigated clinically. Neither should be described as universally superior for every indication.
Treatment selection should be guided by the patient's diagnosis, clinical circumstances and relevant evidence.
​
Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been studied across a range of musculoskeletal conditions, but its effectiveness varies by indication, treatment protocol and patient population.
The clinical literature is most relevant to referral decisions involving persistent plantar heel pain, selected Achilles tendinopathies and calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Evidence is less consistent for conditions such as lateral epicondylalgia and patellar tendinopathy.
We do not apply a single protocol or promise a predetermined success rate for every diagnosis.
Treatment plans are individualised according to clinical findings, available evidence, patient goals and response to treatment.​
​
2024 systematic review – ESWT for plantar fasciopathy
NICE – ESWT for refractory plantar fasciitis
NICE – ESWT for calcific shoulder tendinopathy
2025 clinical practice guideline – Rotator cuff tendinopathy
​​
Clinical Director – Dr Uwe Schwiersch, DPT (Physiotherapist)
Our clinical services are led by Dr Uwe Schwiersch, DPT (Physiotherapist).
With extensive physiotherapy experience and more than 15 years working with focused shockwave therapy, Dr Schwiersch brings a strong understanding of musculoskeletal assessment, persistent pain presentations and rehabilitation.
His clinical approach combines careful diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection and individualised management.
Patients receive an explanation of the proposed treatment, expected course, potential adverse effects and relevant alternatives.
​
What Happens After Referral?
1. Clinical Assessment
We review the patient's diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, previous management and relevant investigations.
2. Suitability Screening
We consider contraindications, precautions and whether focused shockwave therapy is appropriate for the condition.
3. Individualised Treatment Plan
Where indicated, a treatment program is proposed with clear expectations, risks and fees discussed before treatment.
4. Rehabilitation and Follow-Up
Shockwave therapy may be combined with or followed by appropriate exercise-based rehabilitation and other physiotherapy management.
5. Communication with Referring Practitioners
Clinical information and treatment updates can be provided to the referring practitioner via Medical Objects where appropriate and with patient consent.
​
Referral & Funding Information
We welcome referrals from GPs, specialists and allied health professionals.
Patients may also enquire directly about treatment suitability.
Depending on eligibility and the services provided, funding arrangements may include:
> Private health insurance: Eligible physiotherapy services may attract rebates according to the patient's policy and insurer requirements.
> GP Chronic Condition Management Plans: Medicare rebates may apply to physiotherapy when referral and billing requirements are met. Up to 5 visits can be used for the treatment of focused shockwave therapy under physiotherapy
> WorkCover Queensland: Treatment may be funded where the claim, service and any required approvals meet the relevant WorkCover requirements.
> DVA: Treatment may be funded where the claim, service and any required approvals meet the relevant requirements of Department of Veterans Affairs
A rebate or funding arrangement should not be assumed to cover every shockwave treatment or consultation.
Our reception team can assist patients with information about appointments, fees and applicable billing arrangements.
​​​
We welcome your referrals for focused shockwave therapy assessment and treatment.​
​
Patients with persistent musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly those who have not responded adequately to initial conservative care, may benefit from an individual assessment.
Please include the relevant diagnosis, clinical history, previous treatments and any pertinent imaging or investigation results.
Shockwave Therapy Centre
Medical Level 3, 2L/310 David Low Way
Bli Bli QLD 4560 – Sunshine Coast
Phone: (07) 5441 6355
Fax: (07) 5448 9504
Email: info@shockwavetherapycentre.com.au
Website: www.shockwavetherapycentre.com.au​​​​​​​
Refer a Patient | Contact Our Clinic
We look forward to working collaboratively
with referring practitioners to support appropriate
patient care.
​​
​​
​
Clinical note: Treatment recommendations are based on individual assessment and the evidence available for the relevant indication. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is not suitable for every patient, and treatment outcomes cannot be guaranteed.