Could shockwaves and light be the new fix for Runner's achilles pain?

NCT ID NCT04725513

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested three treatments for Achilles tendinopathy (pain in the middle of the Achilles tendon) in 46 runners. The treatments were shockwave therapy, a combination of shockwave and light therapy (photobiomodulation), and standard physical therapy. Participants were followed for three months, with an option to switch treatments after that. The goal was to see which approach best reduced pain and improved function.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: shockwave therapy and photobiomodulation (light therapy)
What this could lead to: If effective, these therapies could offer non-drug options to ease Achilles pain and help runners return to activity faster.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study with only 46 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatments are not yet proven to work better than standard physical therapy.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Spaulding Hospital Cambridge

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States

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