5 Ways Shockwave Therapy Helps Heal Bone Spurs
- Just Healthy
- Sep 9
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for bone spurs delivers acoustic waves to the affected area, helping to break down calcified deposits, reduce stiffness, and improve flexibility for better overall joint health.
Key Highlights
Targets the root cause: ESWT therapy breaks down calcium deposits, reduces inflammation, and calms pain signals, helping you move more comfortably.
Strengthens tissue and speeds recovery: It boosts blood flow and collagen production, making tendons and ligaments stronger while accelerating healing.
Non-invasive, effective, and lasting: Quick sessions with minimal downtime can provide long-term pain relief, often avoiding more invasive treatments.
Table of Contents
Understanding Bone Spurs and the Power of Shockwave Therapy
Bone spurs are small bony bumps that slowly grow over time. At first, you might not notice them, but they can cause sharp pain, stiffness, and make it harder to move.
If you’ve ever felt that stabbing heel pain in the morning or had a joint that just won’t loosen up, you know how much these little growths can affect your day.
They often show up in the heel, spine, shoulder, hip, knee, or even fingers and toes, especially where there’s stress or inflammation.
Did you know that nearly 38% of adults have been diagnosed with a heel spur, and over 30% of individuals aged 60 and above experience some form of bone spur?
The good news is you don’t always need pain medication or steroid injections. ESWT is a non-invasive option that works directly on bone spurs by breaking down calcium deposits, improving blood flow, and calming pain signals.
Over time, it can reduce stiffness and help you move more comfortably without downtime.
Here are five ways Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) heals bone spurs and helps you move comfortably without downtime.
1. Breaks Down Calcium Deposits
Bone spurs are extra little bumps that can grow where the strong cords (tendons or ligaments) connect to bones.
Over time, calcium can build up, which can irritate the nearby soft tissue and cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and less movement, kind of like small rocks forming on a walking path that make it hard to move smoothly.
It’s not just uncomfortable, it can make everyday activities harder.
ESWT tackles the problem at its source. By sending high-energy acoustic waves into the affected area, it encourages the body to repair itself naturally.
These waves:
Break down stubborn calcium deposits, letting your body absorb them gradually
Stimulate tissue repair, helping cells regenerate and strengthen the area
Boost blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients exactly where they are needed
Reduce inflammation, calming swelling and irritation so tissue can recover
This isn’t just temporary relief. ESWT addresses the root causes of pain, giving your body the support it needs to heal more effectively and helping you move with greater comfort.
As healing progresses and calcium deposits break down, patients often notice a significant reduction in pain and improved mobility.
A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports found that focused ESWT significantly reduced both pain intensity and calcification size in patients with calcaneal spurs, outperforming standard ultrasound therapy in both areas.
2. Reduces Inflammation
Bone spurs often cause chronic inflammation in nearby soft tissues, creating swelling, stiffness, and ongoing pain that makes movement uncomfortable.
The inflammation acts like a small fire that keeps burning slowly, damaging the surrounding area if it doesn’t calm down.
Shockwaves modulate the body’s inflammatory response, helping to:
Reduce pro-inflammatory chemicals that cause pain and swelling, such as TNF-α and IL-6.
Encourage tissue repair without prolonged irritation
Improve flexibility, allowing smoother movement
As inflammation decreases, patients experience less pain and improved function, making daily activities easier and more comfortable.
Patients also demonstrate faster recovery and better mobility compared to standard conservative care, highlighting how ESWT soothes irritated tissue while supporting natural healing.
3. Enhances Blood Flow
Tissues need oxygen and nutrients from the blood to heal. Bone spurs can block blood flow, which can make healing slower and keep pain and swelling longer.
Think of it like a clogged garden hose. If water can’t flow freely, the plants don’t get the nutrients they need.
Acoustic waves stimulate blood vessel formation and improve microcirculation by triggering the release of chemicals such as VEGF and nitric oxide, which promote vascular health.
Delivers oxygen and nutrients directly to the affected tissue
Removes inflammatory chemicals and reduces swelling
Speeds up natural healing, promoting faster recovery
Improved circulation allows tissue to repair more efficiently, leading to less swelling, reduced pain, and quicker recovery.
Patients often report improved mobility and reduced tenderness after treatment, highlighting that enhanced circulation is a key factor in faster, more effective healing.
4. Strengthens Tendons and Ligaments
Bone spurs place extra strain on tendons and ligaments, which can tear or lose elasticity. When these tissues are weak, the area becomes more likely to hurt and stiffen, and movement can be difficult.
Tendons and ligaments can break or lose strength, like a rubber band that has been stretched too far.
Acoustic Wave Therapy helps by stimulating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production, to:
Rebuild connective tissue around the spur
Increase elasticity and flexibility, reducing stiffness
Support long-term tissue strength, preventing future irritation
As tendons and ligaments become stronger and more resilient, patients often notice enhanced mobility and less discomfort.
A study by Notarnicola et al. (2012) demonstrated that ESWT increased fibroblast proliferation and enhanced the expression of collagen types I and III, which are crucial for tissue repair and strength.
Patients with heel spurs have reported reduced pain, demonstrating that shock wave therapy effectively reinforces surrounding tissue and provides lasting relief.
5. Desensitizes Nerves
Bone spurs can irritate nearby nerves, sending strong pain signals to the brain and making even simple movements sharp or throbbing. Imagine an alarm that keeps ringing nonstop. Even when everything is okay, the sound keeps bothering you.
The therapy temporarily resets overstimulated nerves, which:
Reduces the intensity of pain signals sent to the brain
Allows tissue to heal without constant discomfort
Supports long-term pain relief as tissue strengthens
Patients often notice immediate pain relief, enabling improved mobility while the body continues to heal naturally.
What’s truly amazing is that many patients find themselves reaching for pain medications far less after treatment!
This demonstrates that shockwave therapy not only treats the source of pain but also makes recovery more comfortable and effective.
How Patients Describe It?
Patients describe shockwave therapy as a series of quick, intense pulses that feel like rapid tapping or gentle snaps against the skin. Some also notice a warming sensation in the area being treated.
"I’ve had the procedure performed twice, for bone spurs. First time was just my right foot. It seemed to help for a year and a half or so. Second time, it was done on both heels and so far, so good. It’s been five years and no issues. I can run, walk and hike with no pain but standing still for too long (20–30 min, sometimes less) will bother me." - James H, 46
The discomfort is usually mild to moderate and can be adjusted by your provider, so it never has to be too painful. For heel spurs, the sensation might briefly mimic the sharp stabs of your usual pain, but only in short bursts.
Sessions usually take 5 to 15 minutes, with any peak discomfort happening in the middle and easing quickly afterward. After the session, it’s normal to feel some soreness, similar to a post-workout ache, and occasionally mild tingling or dull pain for a day or two.
Many patients notice a 50 to 60% reduction in pain within a few weeks, and over time the treated area often feels soft and strong instead of tight and stiff.
Who Should Avoid Shockwave Therapy?
ESWT is generally safe, but it isn’t right for everyone. Certain conditions around the bone spur can make treatment risky, so always check with your doctor first.
Condition | Why It Matters |
Recent surgery near the bone spur or joint | Healing bones or tissues could be disrupted by shockwaves. |
Severe osteoporosis or very fragile bones | Shockwaves may increase fracture risk or cause bone damage. |
Active infection or tumor near the bone spur | Treatment could worsen infection or affect tumor tissue. |
Nerve problems near the bone spur | May increase irritation or worsen nerve-related pain. |
If any of these apply to you, or if you’re unsure, talk to your doctor first. Safety comes first and helps ensure the best results for treating your bone spur.
Shockwave Therapy Costs for Bone Spurs
In 2025, the cost of ESWT for bone spurs varies depending on the provider, location, and type of treatment:
Individual sessions: Typically range from $200 to $600 per session. Some high-end clinics may charge up to $1,500 for a single session.
Full course: Most people need 3 to 6 sessions, totaling approximately $600 to $3,000.
Insurance coverage for ESWT is limited. Most insurance plans do not cover Shockwave Therapy for bone spurs because it is still considered a newer, elective treatment.
Insurers generally cover procedures that are widely recognized as standard care and have long-term data proving effectiveness. While ESWT is showing strong results for bone spurs, it hasn't yet become universally accepted as a standard treatment.
How ESWT Compares to Other Bone Spur Treatments:
Treatment Option | Typical Cost | Effectiveness / Notes |
Steroid Injections | $200 – $500 per injection | Provides short-term relief; multiple injections often required. |
Physical Therapy / Orthotics | Lower per session, ongoing | Conservative option; requires weeks/months of consistent effort. |
Surgery (spur removal) | $5,000 – $10,000+ | Highly effective but invasive, with long recovery and higher risk of complications. |
ESWT (Shockwave Therapy) | $600 – $3,000 per course | Non-invasive, strong mid- to long-term pain relief; reduces need for repeat treatments. |
It offers an effective alternative for chronic bone spur pain.
In a randomized controlled trial on patients with heel spurs, 61.6% of those treated with ESWT reported significant pain relief compared to 39.7% in the placebo group.
While the upfront cost may be higher than a single injection, it can reduce the need for repeated treatments and help patients avoid invasive treatments, making it a smart long-term investment.
The growing popularity of ESWT for bone spurs shows that more doctors and patients are recognizing it as a safe, effective, and conservative treatment option.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Your Bone Spurs?
If conservative treatments like rest, orthotics, or stretching haven’t helped, you stay fairly active, and your bone spurs cause moderate daily pain, shockwave therapy could be a real game-changer.
Why it works for bone spurs:
Short sessions with minimal downtime
Lasting relief from pain and stiffness caused by the bone spur
Can improve movement and daily function around the affected joint
It is especially useful before turning to more invasive treatments. Talking with an orthopedist or relevant specialist can help you determine if ESWT is right for your specific bone spur.
The latest evidence suggests it can be a strong first-line option for managing pain and improving movement in affected joints, whether in the heel, knee, shoulder, or other areas where bone spurs form.
It has been shown to be very effective for many conditions, such as back pain, knee pain, and Achilles pain, among others. It is definitely worth trying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How soon can I expect pain relief?
Some patients notice mild relief right after their first session, thanks to improved blood flow and reduced tissue tension. Most people, however, experience significant improvement over 6 to 12 weeks as the tissues continue to heal and inflammation decreases. Combining ESWT with gentle stretching or physical therapy may help accelerate results.
Does shockwave therapy remove the bone spur entirely?
Not always. ESWT focuses on reducing pain, inflammation, and improving function rather than fully eliminating the spur. That said, studies and patient reports show that some people see a 20 to 30% reduction in spur size over time, likely due to tissue remodeling and improved blood flow around the area.
Can I combine ESWT with other treatments?
Absolutely. Many patients use ESWT alongside physical therapy, targeted exercises, or supportive treatments like orthotics. In some cases, therapies such as acetic acid phonophoresis or low-level laser therapy are added to enhance healing. Coordinating treatments with your provider can maximize results and speed recovery.
Is focused or radial ESWT better for bone spurs?
It depends on the location and depth of the spur. Focused ESWT penetrates deeper tissue, making it ideal for hip or shoulder spurs. Radial ESWT spreads more broadly and works well for superficial spurs, like those in the heel. Research shows both types are effective, though focused ESWT may provide slightly better outcomes in chronic or deeper cases.
Is shockwave therapy painful or uncomfortable?
Most patients describe the treatment as a series of quick pulses or tapping sensations. Some mild to moderate discomfort is normal, especially in areas already sensitive from bone spurs. The intensity can be adjusted by your provider, and soreness usually eases within a day or two, similar to a mild post-workout ache. Most people tolerate the sessions well and find the temporary discomfort worth the long-term pain relief.
Resources
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) – Information on heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and foot health.
WebMD – Bone Spurs Overview – General guide on bone spurs, symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Physiopedia – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – Clinical explanation of shockwave therapy, how it works, and indications.
Mayo Clinic – Heel Spur – Symptoms, causes, and treatment options including conservative and surgical methods.
NIH PubMed Central – Research database for scientific studies on bone spurs and shockwave therapy.
ClinicalTrials.gov – Ongoing and completed clinical trials on ESWT and bone spur treatments.