ESWT Extracorporeal shock wave therapy

A non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy shock waves to damaged tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints) to relieve pain at its source

ESWT Extracorporeal shock wave therapy

A non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy shock waves to damaged tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints) to relieve pain at its source

Shockwave therapy's
key principles and features

Principles of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy — An explanatory image showing how shock waves are delivered to injured musculoskeletal areas

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For the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders
stable, effective and with a very low risk of side effects


The International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST) has emphasised the advantages of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, namely
few side effects and a low risk of complications.
In a column published by the Korean Shockwave Regenerative Medicine Society, it can also be seen that shock wave therapy is useful in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.

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Stable, effective treatment for various musculoskeletal disorders
with a very low risk of side effects


The International Society for Medical Shockwave Therapy (ISMST) has emphasised that extracorporeal shock wave therapy has the advantage of
few side effects and a low risk of complications.
In a column published by the Korean Shockwave Regenerative Medicine Society, you can also see that shockwave therapy is useful in treating musculoskeletal injuries.

Principle of promoting self-healing with extracorporeal shock wave therapy — explanatory image showing regeneration activated by micro-stimulation in the affected area

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Delivers high-energy shockwaves to the lesion
A treatment that promotes regeneration and self-healing


By delivering 1,000–1,500 shockwaves to the injured area
If minute mechanical stimulation is applied, it directly stimulates the lesion that causes pain
activating the self-healing ability.

This is a technique that helps repair damage to joints, tendons and ligaments that did not improve even with anti-inflammatory medication, local injection therapy, rehabilitation therapy, etc.

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Deliver high-energy shockwaves to the lesion
A treatment that promotes regeneration and self-healing


By delivering 1,000~1,500 shockwaves to the affected area
and providing subtle mechanical stimulation, the lesion causing the pain
is directly stimulated to activate the body’s self-healing ability.

This is a technique that restores damage to joints, tendons and ligaments that had not improved even with anti-inflammatory drugs, local injection therapy or rehabilitation therapy.

Principle of extracorporeal shock wave non-invasive treatment — image explaining the application areas of the non-surgical, non-incision method

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Neither medication nor injections
Non-surgical, non-incision, non-invasive treatment


As a non-invasive treatment, there is no concern about scarring, and it can be applied to most pain areas such as the shoulder, elbow, lower back, neck, knee and ankle.
The treatment time is also relatively short at around 20~40 minutes.

You can return to daily life immediately after the procedure, and as there is almost no separate recovery period,
you can receive repeated treatments.

* Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is carried out after consultation with a doctor.

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Not medication or injections
Non-surgical, non-incisional, non-invasive treatment


As a non-invasive treatment, there is no need to worry about scarring, and it can be applied to most painful areas such as the shoulder, elbow, lower back, neck, knee and ankle.
The treatment time is also relatively short at around 20–40 minutes.

You can return to daily life straight away after the procedure, and as there is almost no separate recovery period, repeat treatments are possible.

* Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is carried out after consultation with a doctor.

Types of Shock Waves
Radial (divergent) vs focused (concentrated)

Category

Radial Type (Radial)

Medical image explaining how extracorporeal shock wave therapy is delivered to knee tissue

Focus type (Focused)

An image illustrating the treatment principle of extracorporeal shock waves being delivered to the joint area

Energy transfer method

Energy
transfer method

Impact delivered by striking the pellet with compressed air

Concentrate supersonic sound waves at a single point using electrical/magnetic energy

Energy distribution

Energy
Distribution

Spreading widely over the surface (diffuse type)

Spreads widely on the surface
(diffuse type)

Deep delivery to a single point (focused type)

Targeted deep delivery
(concentrated type)

Depth reached

0.5 ~ 3 cm (mainly fascia and muscles)

0.5 ~ 3cm
(mainly fascia, muscles)

3 to 6 cm or more (mainly tendons, ligaments, periosteum)

3 ~ 6 cm or more
(mainly tendon, ligament, periosteum)

Stimulus intensity

Smooth and broad

Deep, intense stimulation

Treatment effect

Effective for muscle and fascia relaxation

Effective for muscle and fascia relaxation
Effective

Effective for local inflammation and wound healing

Effective for local inflammation,
effective for wound healing

Indications and procedure site

myofascial pain, muscle tension, trigger points, improved blood flow, etc.

Chronic tendinitis, calcific tendinitis, ligament injury, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, patellar tendinitis, etc.

Chronic tendinitis,
calcific tendinitis, ligament injury, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, patellar tendinitis, etc.

Perceived feeling

A throbbing, spreading sensation

A tingling, focused feeling

Shock wave waveform

Interference wave
waveform

Graph showing changes in the pressure waveform during extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Graph explaining pressure changes in extracorporeal shock wave energy transmission

According to the Stage of Tissue Damage
Shockwave Treatment Golden Time

When tissue is damaged, the body undergoes a process to recover itself
going through a step-by-step process known as the acute, subacute and chronic phases.
During this process, blood flow and metabolic activity increase, and the body's natural healing responses, such as cell activity and growth factor secretion, appear.

Why shock wave therapy is used from stage 2 of the subacute phase

Shockwave therapy works by applying minute mechanical stimulation to tissues to induce micro-damage, so
it is not recommended during the acute phase, when heat, swelling and pain are strongly present, as shockwave therapy can worsen pain and inflammation.

With shockwave treatment from the subacute phase, which is stage 2, to the chronic phase, stage 3,
the speed of tissue regeneration and inflammation healing is accelerated.

[ Golden time for shockwave therapy according to the stage of disease progression in rehabilitation treatment ]

[ Golden time for shockwave therapy according to the stage of disease progression in rehabilitation treatment ]

Golden time
for shockwave therapy

Stage 1 acute phase (0–3 days)

Inflammatory cells and increased blood flow for 72 hours after tissue damage

For 72 hours after tissue damage
inflammatory cells, increased blood flow

Stage 2 subacute phase (3 to 14 days)

Tissue regeneration gains momentum through the formation of new blood vessels and fibroblasts

New blood vessels and fibroblast formation
accelerate tissue regeneration

Stage 3 chronic phase (2–6 weeks)

Recovery of the strength and elasticity of new tissue

Treatment Cycle Guide

Starts from the subacute phase after injury
(after the acute phase (inflammatory phase))

Once a week, a total of 5 or 10 treatment sessions recommended

With repeated maintenance treatment over a certain period
Reduction in recurrence rate

A method of alternating
with manual therapy

Recommended candidates for treatment

Recommended for shockwave therapy — for those whose daily life is affected by chronic shoulder, neck, lower back or knee pain

People whose daily life is disrupted by chronic shoulder, neck, lower back, elbow, knee pain, etc.
People who find everyday activities inconvenient

For those seeking fundamental physical recovery without surgery — recommended candidates for shock wave therapy

For those who want fundamental physical recovery without surgery

For those who want to speed up tissue recovery during rehabilitation — recommended candidates for shock wave therapy

For those who want to speed up tissue recovery during rehabilitation therapy

Shockwave Therapy FAQ

Before the procedure,
we talk through your worries and concerns.

Are there any precautions after treatment?

For 48 hours after treatment, it is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activity and, in particular, to refrain from overusing the treated area.

Are there any symptoms that appear after treatment ends?

Most patients experience a reduction in pain or complete relief after treatment. However, some may feel soreness or throbbing at the treatment area for around 2 to 4 hours after the procedure, but these symptoms are temporary and will ease naturally over time.

Is there any pain after the procedure?

Depending on how much pain there is in the treatment area, you may feel a little discomfort during treatment. However, as the treatment time is not long, most patients, including older adults, undergo the procedure without much discomfort. Also, if you feel uncomfortable during the procedure, the treatment intensity can be adjusted in real time.

Request a
Consultation

Request a
Consultation

Business name

Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin Branch

Representative

Mun Ji-eun

Main number

02-6956-3438

Address

B1 to 5th Floor, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City

Business Registration Number

511-60-00988

Email

official@oblivseoul.kr

All content of Obliv Clinic is protected for five years from the date of first creation in accordance with the [Content Industry Promotion Act].

The copyright of all works created by Obliv Clinic is protected under relevant laws, so unauthorised use without permission may result in civil liability for damages, as well as

We inform you that, under Article 40 of the Content Industry Promotion Act, you may be punished by up to one year’s imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.

All content of Obliv Clinic is protected for 5 years from the date of initial production under the [Content Industry Promotion Act].

The copyright of all creative works produced by Obliv Clinic is protected under the relevant laws, and we inform you that unauthorised use without permission may be punished under Article 40 of the Content Industry Promotion Act, including civil liability for damages, with imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.

Business name

Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin Branch

Representative

Mun Ji-eun

Main number

02-6956-3438

Address

B1 to 5th Floor, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City

Business Registration Number

511-60-00988

Email

official@oblivseoul.kr

Business name

Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin Branch

Representative

Mun Ji-eun

Main number

02-6956-3438

Address

B1 to 5th Floor, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City

Business Registration Number

511-60-00988

Email

official@oblivseoul.kr

All content of Obliv Clinic is protected for five years from the date of first creation in accordance with the [Content Industry Promotion Act].

The copyright of all works created by Obliv Clinic is protected under relevant laws, so unauthorised use without permission may result in civil liability for damages, as well as

We inform you that, under Article 40 of the Content Industry Promotion Act, you may be punished by up to one year’s imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.