Shockwave Therapy for Trigger Finger | Trusted Chiropractor in Katy
Are you living with trigger finger?
That painful locking or catching sensation when you try to bend or straighten your finger can be frustrating. Everyday tasks like gripping, typing, or holding a coffee cup can suddenly feel debilitating.
Traditionally, splints, anti-inflammatories, and or steroid injections are used to treat it, and in severe cases, surgery is considered. But now, many patients are finding relief through shockwave therapy (ESWT – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy), a non-invasive treatment that’s supported by growing clinical research. It also now available right here at HD Performance Chiropractic, your trusted chiropractor in Katy.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic sound waves directly to the affected tendon. These waves:
- Increase blood flow to promote healing
- Break down scar tissue and adhesions
- Reduce inflammation
- Help “reset” pain signals
Patients who visit our Katy chiropractic clinic for shockwave therapy frequently report less pain, improved tendon health, and greater finger flexibility.
Research Spotlight: Does Shockwave Work for Trigger Finger?
Clinical Studies on Shockwave for Trigger Finger
ESWT vs. Steroid Injections
A randomized controlled trial compared ESWT with corticosteroid injection in 40 patients. Both groups improved, and outcomes were similar overall—meaning ESWT offers a credible non-invasive alternative for people who want to avoid injections (Yildirim et al., 2016, J Hand Surg Eur). PubMed
Clinical Studies
- Ten sessions of radial ESWT (twice weekly for 5 weeks; 2,000 impulses at ~2 bar) led to significant improvements in pain, QuickDASH, ROM, grip, and pinch strength, with benefits still present at 3 months (Doğru et al., 2020, Cureus — free full text: PMC). PubMed
- Three weekly ESWT sessions reduced pain and triggering for up to 18 weeks (Vahdatpour et al., 2020).
Placebo-Controlled RCT
A double-blind RCT vs. sham found dose-dependent improvements in pain and function with wide-focused ESWT; no adverse effects were reported over 6 months (Chen et al., 2021, Arch Phys Med Rehabil). PubMed
Systematic Review / Meta-analysis
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis specific to trigger finger reported a significant reduction in pain (VAS) with ESWT, while calling for more high-quality RCTs to clarify functional outcomes (AOAO, 2024).
AOAO
Why Patients Choose Shockwave Therapy
- ✅ Non-invasive – no needles, no surgery
- ✅ Quick sessions – usually 10–15 minutes
- ✅ Minimal downtime – sooner get back to daily life
- ✅ Safe – studies report very few side effects
What to Expect in Treatment
A typical plan involves 3–5 sessions spaced a week apart. Each session delivers controlled pulses to the tendon for about 10–15 minutes. You may feel mild soreness during or after, but this usually resolves quickly.
Who Is It For?
Shockwave therapy may be right for you if:
- You want to avoid injections or surgery
- You’ve tried rest, splinting, or medication without success
Trigger finger can be painful and limiting, but shockwave therapy offers an evidence-based, non-invasive solution. Research shows it can reduce pain, improve finger mobility, and restore function without the risks of injections or surgery.
If you’re struggling with finger pain or locking, consider scheduling a consultation at HD Performance Chiropractic, your trusted chiropractor in Katy, to see if shockwave therapy is right for you.


