SAFETY FIRST
A Strong Safety Record, Built on Systematic Screening
Shockwave therapy has an excellent safety record across four decades and thousands of published patients. Serious adverse events are rare. However, like all medical interventions, it carries specific contraindications that must be screened for before treatment begins, and a range of minor, expected side effects that patients should be counselled about in advance.
At Shockwave Revibe Clinic, every patient is screened against a formal pre-treatment safety checklist before any course of treatment is agreed. This page sets out exactly what that involves — both for your own understanding and so you know what to expect at your consultation.
Shockwave therapy is safe when correctly indicated, properly delivered, and preceded by systematic screening for contraindications. The pre-treatment checklist is not optional — it is the foundation of safe clinical practice.— Dr Kishore Bahl, Shockwave Therapy in Clinical Practice, 2026
WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Absolute Contraindications
These conditions mean shockwave therapy cannot proceed until resolved. Dr Bahl screens for all of these at consultation.
| Condition | Why | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Active cancer at or near the treatment site | Theoretical risk of promoting tumour blood supply | Treatment will not proceed at this site |
| Pregnancy | No safety data on acoustic energy transmission to the foetus | Confirmed in all women of childbearing age before treatment |
| Active infection or open wound at the site | Risk of spreading infection via mechanical disruption | Infection must be fully treated and resolved first |
| Pacemaker or implanted cardiac device near the site | Acoustic energy may interfere with device function | Cardiology consultation if proximity is uncertain |
| Active blood clot (DVT) at the treatment site | Risk of dislodging the clot | Treatment deferred until fully resolved |
| Severe bleeding or clotting disorder | Risk of significant bruising/haematoma | Coagulation status assessed before treatment |
| Open growth plates (children/teenagers) | May disturb normal bone growth | Extreme caution in skeletally immature patients |
Source: Dr Kishore Bahl — Shockwave Therapy in Clinical Practice, 2026. Chapter 25, Table 26.
Relative Contraindications — Requiring Individual Assessment
These factors don't automatically rule out treatment, but require careful individual assessment by Dr Bahl.
| Factor | Why It Matters | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Taking blood-thinning medication | Increased risk of bruising from treatment | Bleeding risk assessed; lower-energy protocols used if appropriate |
| Recent corticosteroid injection (under 6 weeks ago) | Steroid can work against shockwave's repair response | We wait a minimum of 6-8 weeks after your last injection |
| Nerve tissue in the treatment path | Higher energy may temporarily affect nerve function | Lower energy used; direct high-energy nerve targeting avoided |
| Recent surgery at or near the site (under 3 months) | Healing tissue may be disrupted | Discussed with your surgical team; treatment delayed until healed |
| Reduced capacity to give informed consent | Genuine informed consent is required for any treatment | Formal assessment; appropriate representative involved if needed |
Source: Dr Kishore Bahl — Shockwave Therapy in Clinical Practice, 2026. Chapter 25, Table 27.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Possible Side Effects
Most side effects are mild, expected, and resolve quickly. Significant complications are rare.
| Effect | How Common | Typical Duration | What We Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild discomfort during the session | Very common (>50%) | During treatment only | We adjust energy and probe position for your comfort |
| Temporary increase in symptoms | Common (20-40%) | 24-72 hours, self-resolving | Expected and explained in advance — confirms a biological response is occurring |
| Skin redness | Common (30-50%) | A few hours | No action needed |
| Small bruising or pinprick marks | Uncommon (5-15%) | Days to 2 weeks | Ice if needed; higher chance if you're on blood thinners |
| Larger bruise (haematoma) | Rare (under 2%) | Variable | Compression and rest; assessed if significant |
| Tendon injury | Very rare | Requires immediate assessment | We check imaging beforehand to rule out tears that increase this risk |
| Temporary nerve sensation changes | Rare | Hours to days | We adjust treatment and monitor closely |
Source: Dr Kishore Bahl — Shockwave Therapy in Clinical Practice, 2026. Chapter 25, Table 28.
HOW WE SCREEN YOU
Our Pre-Treatment Safety Checklist
This is completed and documented before every single course of treatment at Shockwave Revibe Clinic — not just at your first visit, but reviewed for every course.
- Confirming there is no active cancer at or near the treatment site
- Excluding pregnancy in all women of childbearing age
- Excluding active infection at the treatment site
- Confirming any cardiac pacemaker location is safe for treatment
- Excluding active blood clots at the treatment site
- Assessing your coagulation and any blood-thinning medication
- Reviewing any recent corticosteroid injections (must be 6-8+ weeks prior)
- Documenting your full informed consent
- Counselling you on what sensations and side effects to expect
- Setting treatment parameters according to evidence-based protocol for your specific condition
Source: Dr Kishore Bahl — Shockwave Therapy in Clinical Practice, 2026. Chapter 25, Table 29.
Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Whether Shockwave Therapy Is Right for You?
Every patient receives a full individual assessment before any treatment is agreed. If you have a specific health condition or concern, the best next step is a consultation with Dr Bahl, where it can be properly assessed.
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