Shoulder impingement, or subacromial pain syndrome, happens when the tendons that run beneath the acromion get pinched. People with a shoulder impingement in Campbell CA feel pain with overhead reaching, weak lifting, and worse pain at night. Usual care includes rest, targeted exercises, anti-inflammatory medicines, and sometimes steroid injections.

What is shockwave therapy for shoulder impingement?

Shockwave therapy, or ESWT, sends short pulses of sound into the painful area. The pulses reduce pain signals, improve local blood flow, and stimulate tissue repair. For subacromial pain, therapists usually use radial ESWT aimed over the supraspinatus tendon and subacromial space. ESWT is done in clinic without surgery or anesthesia.

Conventional care versus what the research shows

Conventional nonoperative care focuses on exercise, posture, and activity changes. Supervised exercise programs often give good early results and remain the foundation of treatment (Engebretsen et al., 2009). Research shows ESWT adds value when pain limits participation in exercise or when symptoms continue after rehabilitation. Systematic reviews and randomized trials find that ESWT plus exercise reduces pain and improves function more than exercise alone at 2 to 3 months (Circi et al., 2017; Xiong et al., 2024). A 2023 trial and pooled analyses reported clinically meaningful pain reduction with radial ESWT and faster symptom relief when ESWT was combined with targeted physiotherapy (Shao et al., 2023; Xiong et al., 2024). At the same time, some trials found supervised exercise alone matched or exceeded ESWT for short term gains, so exercise stays essential (Engebretsen et al., 2009).

Practical, evidence-based treatment recommendations

Based on trials and reviews, a practical approach is:

• Start with a supervised rehabilitation program focused on rotator cuff and scapular control for 6 weeks. If pain still limits progress, add ESWT. (Engebretsen et al., 2009; Circi et al., 2017).
• Use radial ESWT targeted to the painful tendon area. Typical protocols in trials used 3 to 4 weekly sessions, 1,500–2,500 pulses per session, and moderate energy settings. Expect mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours. (Shao et al., 2023; Xiong et al., 2024).
• Combine ESWT with continued home and clinic exercises. Studies show combined therapy produces the best gains in range of motion and strength. (Xiong et al., 2024).
• If symptoms fail to improve after 3 months of combined care, consider specialist review for imaging, injection, or surgical options.

Quick data snapshot

• Trials report improved pain scores at 6 to 12 weeks with ESWT plus exercise versus exercise alone. (Circi et al., 2017).
• Some studies show effect sizes that translate to meaningful daily function gains for many patients. (Xiong et al., 2024).
• Supervised exercise remains a proven first step. ESWT is an effective adjunct when needed. (Engebretsen et al., 2009).

Campbell CA Shockwave Therapy FAQ