Shockwave Therapy (PiezoWave or ESWT)

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment used to manage chronic musculoskeletal pain in pets. It is particularly effective for conditions involving tendon and ligament attachments to bones (enthesopathies), such as tennis elbow, heel spurs, or shoulder joint calcifications. Myofascial trigger points—tight muscle knots—are also a common source of pain that respond well to this treatment. What is shockwave therapy, and why does Cashmere Veterinary Clinic use it?

Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used for a range of chronic soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions, including:
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Insertion desmopathy
  • Delayed fracture healing
  • Tendinopathy
  • Sesamoidosis
  • Calcification
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Osteoarthritis
At Cashmere Veterinary Clinic, we don’t apply ESWT as a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we tailor treatment protocols based on your pet’s condition, mobility level, and response to other therapies. For some pets, shockwave therapy is combined with other modalities like laser therapy, acupuncture, or physical rehabilitation to optimize outcomes and reduce recovery time. What conditions can shockwave therapy treat?

Shockwave Therapy FAQs

ESWT works through a process called mechanotransduction. The shockwaves act as mechanical stressors that trigger biochemical changes at a cellular level. This influences:
  • Gene expression
  • Cell growth and differentiation
  • Protein synthesis
  • Apoptosis (programmed cell death)
  • Tissue regeneration
Notably, recent studies show ESWT stimulates lubricin production, a key molecule in tendon and septa function.

Yes. Numerous studies using high-precision piezoelectric shockwave technology confirm the effectiveness of focused shockwaves for chronic musculoskeletal pain and trigger point therapy. It is one of the few modalities proven to initiate natural self-healing in chronic pain syndromes.

The penetration depth ranges from 20mm to 60mm, depending on the therapy source and gel pad used. These interchangeable gel pads control how deeply the shockwave penetrates by adjusting the focal area in 5mm increments—allowing targeted treatment with minimal energy loss.

The therapy uses piezo-ceramic elements arranged on a concave surface. When activated by a high-voltage pulse, these elements expand slightly to generate a pressure pulse, focusing the energy into a precise shockwave at the treatment site. Key features include:

  • Precise “direct focusing” without external reflectors
  • Virtually painless and quiet application
  • Adjustable energy levels with a stable focal zone
  • Extremely durable technology

Piezo shockwave systems come in single-layer or double-layer technology depending on the required peak pressures—which can reach up to 82 MPa. This flexibility allows veterinarians to tailor treatments to each pet’s specific needs.

Many pet insurance plans reimburse for therapies like shockwave when prescribed for chronic pain or orthopedic conditions. If you’re not sure what your plan covers, refer to your policy — and if you don’t currently have pet insurance, click here to learn more.