Cornerstone Medical Group does not hold back when it comes to partnering up with and using the best in state-of-the-art technology that is well researched and Level 1 evidence based.
Overview and Clinical Indicators
The EMS Swiss DolorClast® — Why it matters
Not all shockwave devices are equal. The EMS Swiss DolorClast® is the original radial shockwave system and remains the benchmark against which other devices are measured. It is the inventor of Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT®) and the only device to guarantee consistent, clinically relevant energy output across all frequency settings, a critical factor in achieving the tissue stimulation required for meaningful clinical outcomes.
The system delivers two complementary technologies:
Radial shockwaves propagate outward through the tissue from the point of application, making them ideal for superficial and broad treatment areas such as tendons, muscle bellies, and fascial structures. The EMS Evo Blue® handpiece delivers constant Energy Flux Density (EFD) output throughout the full frequency range, treating significantly larger areas in the same session time compared to competitor devices.
This modality allows your treating practitioner to customise every session to your specific condition, tissue depth, and treatment goals — rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a clinically proven, non-surgical treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes in damaged soft tissue, tendons, and bone. At Cornerstone Medical Group, we use the EMS Swiss DolorClast®, the gold standard shockwave therapy system developed in Switzerland and backed by decades of clinical research and regulatory approval across Europe, the United States, and Australia.
If you are living with chronic musculoskeletal pain that has not responded to rest, physiotherapy, or cortisone injections, shockwave therapy may be the treatment that finally delivers lasting relief — without surgery, anaesthesia, or downtime.
Click below to watch the EMS Dolorclast Shockwave in action:
Key information
When acoustic pressure waves are delivered to the injured or degenerated tissue, a cascade of biological responses is triggered:
Pain modulation occurs through a mechanism similar to the effect of capsaicin, the nerve fibres responsible for transmitting pain signals are initially stimulated and then temporarily desensitised, producing lasting pain relief that extends well beyond the session itself.
Increased blood flow and neovascularisation result from the mechanical stimulation of the tissue, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to chronically deprived tendons and soft tissue structures, which is a key reason why shockwave works so well for conditions that have failed to heal on their own.
Cellular regeneration is stimulated through the mechanical stress applied to the tissue, triggering the body’s repair pathways, reducing local inflammation, and in the case of calcific deposits, breaking down calcium build-up for natural resorption.
Collagen synthesis is promoted in damaged tendon fibres, addressing the structural deficit at the root of chronic tendinopathy rather than simply masking the pain.
A shockwave therapy session at Cornerstone Medical Group typically lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. Your practitioner will apply a conductive gel to the treatment area and deliver the acoustic pulses via the DolorClast® handpiece directly over the affected tissue. Most patients experience a strong pressure sensation during treatment — this is normal and expected, as the energy delivery to the tissue is what drives the clinical effect.
A standard course of treatment involves three to five sessions, scheduled at least 72 hours apart to allow the tissue response to consolidate between appointments. Some patients notice improvement after the first or second session; for others, the most significant change occurs in the weeks following the completion of the course as the tissue remodelling process progresses.
Shockwave therapy is appropriate for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions — typically defined as symptoms present for six weeks or longer — that have not responded adequately to rest, anti-inflammatory treatment, or standard physiotherapy. It is particularly well-suited to patients seeking a non-surgical alternative before considering injections or operative intervention.
It is not recommended for patients with active infection or malignancy at the treatment site, bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy, open growth plates in skeletally immature patients, or pregnancy. Your treating practitioner will conduct a thorough assessment prior to your first session to confirm suitability.
Shockwave therapy is one of the most well-researched non-surgical interventions available for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. At Cornerstone Medical Group, we use the EMS Swiss DolorClast® to treat a broad range of presentations, including but not limited to:
Plantar Fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Tennis and Golfers Elbow
Patellar Tendinopathy and Osgood-Schlatters
Knee Osteoarthritis / Meniscus Injuries
Hamstring tendinopathy
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
And many more conditions
This varies between individuals and conditions. Some patients notice a meaningful reduction in pain after the first or second session. For others — particularly those with long-standing tendon degeneration — the most significant improvement occurs in the two to twelve weeks following completion of the treatment course, as the tissue remodelling process progresses.
It is important to understand that shockwave therapy initiates a biological repair process rather than simply delivering an immediate anaesthetic effect, so patience through the course and into the recovery period is part of achieving the best outcome.
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