Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow: A Firsthand Look at Treatment
March 4, 2026
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition causing pain and discomfort on the outer part of the elbow. In this blog, we dive into a firsthand experience of receiving shockwave therapy for tennis elbow, highlighting how it works, what patients can expect, and why it’s effective.
Understanding Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow involves inflammation or irritation of the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle. The main muscles involved include:
- Extensor Carpi Brevis (ECB)
- Extensor Digitorum Communis (EDC)
- Extensor Digiti Minimi (EDM)
- Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU)
As explained in the video, “Sometimes you need an MRI, maybe an ultrasound, but sometimes those tests aren’t even needed because you can just go on history and kind of like where does it hurt? Well, it hurts right where most people have tennis elbow.”
When it comes to selecting which muscles or tendons to treat, the approach is comprehensive. As Maddie, the clinician, explains, “We’re going to treat all of them.”
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured muscles and tendons. There are two main types used in treatment:
- Focused Shockwave: Targets a precise area of injury, ideal for deeper tissue problems.
- Radial Shockwave: Covers larger, more superficial areas, like muscles and tendons.
Both types complement one another. In the video, Maddie explains, “They’re both good because they complement one another. So we use them together.”
Experiencing Focused Shockwave
During focused shockwave therapy, the intensity of the treatment is gradually increased. The patient in the video remarks:
I can feel little twinges every once in a while where you get to the place where it typically hurts me.
This method allows the clinician to pinpoint exact areas of pain. Maddie notes, “That’s a nice thing about having this along with your fingers. You can kind of feel where the pain is and then we can kind of get down and focus on that area with this shock wave.”
A typical session involves several hundred to a few thousand shocks per tendon or muscle, carefully adjusted based on patient comfort.
Radial Shockwave: Treating Larger Areas
Radial shockwave is used on larger areas and is often described as “kind of like a miniature jackhammer,” according to the clinician. It’s faster and can be adjusted in intensity to suit the patient’s tolerance.
This method is effective for covering larger superficial areas while still targeting the source of pain.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy not only treats tennis elbow but is also highly effective for other conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Maddie explains,
It’s something that’s painful to people and they tend to just live with it and it can be treated in two to three treatments.
Patients often experience noticeable relief after just one session.
Feels good, right? Yeah. Instant relief. And it’s not usually—you need to get a couple more—but it is fun to see people walking out feeling a lot better.
Final Thoughts
Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive option for treating tennis elbow. It allows clinicians to target multiple affected tendons with precision, reduce pain, and speed up recovery.
With professional guidance, shockwave therapy can be a highly effective solution for managing and recovering from tennis elbow.
Watch the Full Video Here: