What this treats
This protocol works well for chronic, well-localized musculoskeletal complaints that haven't fully responded to physiotherapy or anti-inflammatories alone:
- Shoulder: calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus, subacromial impingement, chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Elbow: lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis / golfer's elbow)
- Hip & pelvis: greater trochanteric pain syndrome, proximal hamstring tendinopathy
- Knee: patellar tendinopathy, IT-band syndrome
- Heel & foot: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy
- Spine: chronic muscular low-back and trapezius pain (as an adjunct to mobility work)
How it works
Radial shockwave therapy (rESWT) delivers high-energy mechanical pressure waves that spread radially from the applicator head into the targeted tissue. The mechanical energy disrupts pathologic calcium deposits, releases trigger points in chronically tight muscle, and — most importantly — provokes a controlled inflammatory response that re-starts a stalled healing cycle in chronic tendinopathy.
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) applies low-frequency magnetic pulses to the same area. The mechanism, supported by both lab and clinical data, is the modulation of intracellular calcium signaling and mitochondrial activity in resident cells, accelerating ATP availability for repair and reducing inflammatory cytokine load. PEMF has been studied for non-union fractures, osteoarthritis, and post-surgical bone healing for decades, with a strong safety profile.
Shockwave is mechanical: it disrupts and provokes. PEMF is bioelectric: it accelerates cellular repair. Used together, the disruption phase is paired immediately with an accelerated remodeling phase. Patients consistently report faster pain reduction than with either modality alone, particularly for calcific tendinitis and chronic plantar fasciitis.
The protocol — session by session
Diagnostic and mapping phase. We palpate trigger points, treat the densest pathology first. About a third of patients report a 24–48 hour "treatment ache" after session 1 — this resolves and is followed by improvement.
The window when most patients begin to notice meaningful change — particularly improved range of motion and lower nighttime pain. We re-assess and confirm we're on the right tissue.
Consolidation. If response is good, we taper and add a home loading or mobility program. If response is partial, we re-image and consider referral.
When you'll see results
Most patients with calcific tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and lateral epicondylitis report meaningful pain reduction by session 3 or 4. Chronic conditions of longer duration (more than 18 months) tend to need the full 6-session course. Functional outcomes (range of motion, returning to sport) continue to improve for 8–12 weeks after the last session as remodeling completes.
What sessions are like
Each session is 20–30 minutes per area treated. You remain clothed except for the treatment site. The radial shockwave portion produces a percussive, vibratory sensation; intensity is adjustable and we titrate to your tolerance. PEMF is silent and almost imperceptible — it feels like a warm coil resting on the area. No anesthesia is used. You can drive yourself home and return to normal activity, including exercise (with reduced intensity for 24 hours).
Who isn't a good candidate
We do not treat over implanted pacemakers (PEMF), over active infection or skin breakdown, over known tumor sites, in pregnancy, or in patients on active anticoagulation with INR > 2.5. Acute injuries within 6 weeks of onset are usually managed with conservative care first.
Investment
₱2,500 per session, per treated area. A typical course is 3–6 sessions delivered weekly. We don't bundle into packages — you pay per session, and we'll stop the course as soon as your clinical signal says we should.