By delivering a mechanical stress to injured tissues, Shock Waves enable:

• Immediate pain relief
• A healing reaction of the body

The Swiss DolorClast Method® is the most well-researched shock wave therapy. A combination of unique technologies, clinically proven protocols and education ensure significant improvement in given musculoskeletal and dermatological indications.

Red hot chili peppers, cause & effect

Red chili peppers contain capsaicin. At first this substance overwhelms the so-called C nerve fibers responsible for transmitting pain but then disables them for an extended period of time.

Everybody knows the feeling – first, the mouth is on fire, then it feels completely numb.

Research has indicated that shock wave therapy works the same way(1). 

When activated, the C nerve fibers release a specific substance (substance P) in the tissue as well as in the spinal cord. This substance is responsible for causing slight discomfort during and after shock wave treatment.However, with prolonged activation, C nerve fibers become incapable for some time of releasing substance P and causing pain (2).

Less substance P in the tissue leads to reduced pain, but there is more: less substance P also causes so-called neurogenic inflammation to decline (3).

A decline in neurogenic inflammation may in turn faster healing – together with the release of growth factors and the activation of stem cells in the treated tissue (4).

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that you may encounter in your daily practice. The DolorClast® Therapy Guided is an excellent treatment guide that allows you to improve the patient experience and promote healing. During each of the 6 weekly sessions, 2,500 pulses of DolorClast® Radial Shock Waves were able to help the patient get back on his feet.

The Swiss bobsleigh pilot Melanie Hasler had suffered a hamstring injury. The athlete was treated with the DolorClast Radial® Shock Waves almost daily during the week. The 15 mm head was used to treat the 2.5 cm long muscular lesion in the distal area of the biceps femoris muscle. Furthermore, the whole fascia of the muscle was also treated with rSWT using the 36mm applicator.

After only 3 days after the injury, active therapy (stabilisation exercises, strength training and running school) could be started again parallel to rSWT.

Picture material courtesy of Felix Zimmermann. All necessary hygiene measures were of course observed, especially spacing rules and regular testing.

Credit to https://www.ems-dolorclast.com/products/dolorclastr-radial-shock-waves

We have heard from some therapists that several of their patients complained of pain several hours or days after their treatment. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can efficiently treat many musculoskeletal pathologies, but it may also be accompanied by pounding and dull pain for patients afterward, especially on sensitive zones, such as Achille’s tendon, elbow, and knee. Therefore, we interviewed Marie-Christine Collet, Education Specialist from the Swiss Dolorclast® Academy to get advice on pain relief after the treatment.

Can you explain in a few words the reasons why patients may feel pain after a Shock Wave treatment?

Shock waves are an efficient way to fight the pain caused by tendinopathies and other pathologies, but it can sometimes cause discomfort or even severe pain especially on sensitive body areas even after the treatment. The reason is that shock waves cause micro-traumas and bursting of microtissues (bone, tendons, and muscles) in order to generate blood flow and stimulate cell regeneration. Then, both traumas and recovering tissues might be the responsible for the engendered pain.


There are several simple and effective methods that can alleviate pain without necessarily involving the ingestion of drugs. Above all, it is important for the podiatrist to warn their patients to restrict and avoid as much as possible the use of the area that has just been treated. This will allow the muscle to rest completely and regenerate faster in an optimal way. Applying ice is also a very effective method in the short and medium-term to reduce the effects of the treatment. Be careful to mention that direct contact with the area can cause a cold burn, the use of a waterproof material in-between is highly recommended.

Guided DolorClast® Therapy gets your patients going!

Even some of the world's greatest champions get treated with the #DolorClast.

Professional basketball player and legend LeBron James, who injured his ankle, was recently treated with DolorClast Radial Shock Waves. Read all about it:

 https://lakersdaily.com/lebron-james-seen-getting-extensive-treatment-on-injured-ankle/amp/

Bench studies(1) demonstrate that the DolorClast® Radial Shock Waves delivers up to 200% more energy density than competing devices at frequencies of 15 Hz and above and maximum pressure. This means 3 times more energy for better treatment outcomes.

1 Internal bench study comparison of energy density between the DolorClast Radial Shock Waves (EMS) and the best device among competition.

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