From Stuck to Stepping Forward: How Shockwave Therapy Helped Our Client Move Again
- Ali Littley
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
A real result from just one session at our Whangārei clinic
"From 2.5cm to 5.5cm in one session - this is why shockwave is always my go-to for these types of injuries, simply due to the quick results!"
18 Years of Ankle Pain. One Session. A Measurable Shift.
Some cases really stick with you. A client came in recently with 18 years of chronic ankle pain. She’d seen multiple therapists over the years, and a surgeon had told her the only solution was ankle fusion surgery. That’s always a last resort in my book.
She couldn’t move her knee much over her toes - just 2.5cm of dorsiflexion range (we ideally want around 10cm for good function). It impacted everything from walking to squatting to balance.
So we trialed shockwave therapy - and the results spoke for themselves.
After one session, she’d jumped to 5.5cm - more than double her starting range. Pain decreased too. It was the first progress she’d had in nearly two decades.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses focused acoustic waves to target deep tissue and promote healing. We use our advanced ESWT machine to deliver those waves precisely to the problem area - stimulating healing where your body needs it most.
It helps:
Break up scar tissue
Improve blood flow
Stimulate your body’s natural repair process
At Haerenga Hauora, we use it regularly for:
Plantar fasciitis
Chronic tendon pain
Calcific shoulder or Achilles pain
Old injuries that just won’t budge
Muscle or fascia tightness that doesn't respond to massage/stretching
Why Shockwave Works - and Why We Use It
Not all shockwave machines are created equal. We’ve invested in one of the top ESWT models available - the same kind used in elite sports medicine and rehab clinics. At Haerenga Hauora, we don’t just zap and hope - we combine shockwave therapy with hands-on osteopathy and functional rehab to get the best results possible.
We're also one of the only places in Whangārei offering this level of treatment. That means:
✅ No need to travel out of town
✅ No cookie-cutter treatments
✅ No generic “just zap it and go” sessions
Instead, we combine clinical testing, results tracking, and targeted care. Shockwave is just one tool - but used right, it can unlock serious change.
🕒 What a Session Looks Like
At your first session, we’ll start with a comprehensive assessment - looking at your injury, your goals, and how your body’s moving right now
Your shockwave treatment will take around 15–30 minutes
We’ll test your movement before and after so we can track progress in real time
The device feels like a dull tap or pulse; strange, but not painful
You’ll get rehab or strengthening exercises to do between sessions to help lock in the gains
Most people feel a difference within 1–3 sessions (sometimes even one!)
This is part of our results-first approach - I want you to walk out feeling like something’s shifted.
Why This Case Matters
Our client was told surgery was her only option. And she’s not alone, I’ve seen quite a few of these chronic, stuck, pain-heavy cases this year; especially with people who have tried everything under the sun and still don't want to go down the surgery route. I'll say it again: surgery and injections should be your last resort.
For many of these clients, shockwave is the game changer.
That’s why I became an osteopath - to find the options in between “just live with it” and “go under the knife.” There’s a lot we can do when we work with the body, not just on it.
📍 Want to Try It?
If you’re dealing with:
Ongoing pain that’s not improving
Range that’s limited or painful
A “stuck” diagnosis with no real plan…
...let’s talk. You can book in for shockwave at our Whau Valley clinic, and we’ll walk you through what to expect.
🩺 ACC registered
📞 Book online or call us to schedule
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