Shockwave Therapy for Hamstring Pain in Runners: Why Boulder Athletes Are Seeing Results
- Colin O'Banion, DPT
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Runners in Boulder—whether logging miles the trails or prepping for upcoming high-altitude races—often face hamstring strains that linger, slow progress, or sideline them altogether.
As a Boulder physical therapist specializing in root-cause, one-on-one care, I’ve seen shockwave therapy be a game changer for my clients.
In this post, I’ll explain how it works, why it’s so effective for hamstring issues, and why it’s becoming a common go-to for my clients who are training professionally or for those who simply love to run.
What Makes Hamstring Strains So Persistent for Runners
Tendinopathy vs muscle tear: Many "strains" are tendon overload injuries—micro tears in collagen structures.
Biomechanical stress: Trail runners face terrain changes; pros push volume—both stress the proximal hamstring.
Poor blood flow: The hamstring tendon has limited vascular supply, hindering healing.
Compounding factors: Weak glutes, tight hip flexors, and overstriding increase hamstring load.
Not just tightness: Hamstring pain isn’t just about tightness—it’s often due to tissue overload from repetitive strain.
A word on tightness: A lot of clients are always looking for that perfect stretch. I'll tell you now, there's no such thing. But we can work together to find real solutions.
How Shockwave Therapy Works on Hamstring Strains
Stimulates tendon healing: Low-intensity acoustic waves trigger microtrauma to restart collagen and growth factor production.
Breaks up adhesions: Reduces fibrotic tissue that restricts tendon gliding.
Promotes neovascularization: Improves blood flow in poorly vascularized tendon tissue.
Reduces pain sensitivity: Disrupts pain signals through biochemical pathways.
What Shockwave Does:
Boosts blood flow for faster healing
Reduces chronic inflammation
Reprograms pain signals
Restores mobility and function
Stimulates healing at the cellular level
Why Shockwave Is Especially Effective for Runners
Runners load the hamstrings over and over—during climbs, descents, sprints, and long runs. Overuse leads to tissue damage, chronic inflammation, and performance setbacks.
Shockwave breaks that cycle by:
Healing the source of the pain
Promoting actual tissue regeneration
Offering non-invasive, drug-free relief
Unlike passive treatments, shockwave is active healing.
A 2012 randomized clinical trial on proximal hamstring tendinopathy found that shockwave therapy reduced pain significantly—by 5 cm on the visual analog scale—and enabled 80% of patients to return to their sport. Read the study.
What a Shockwave Treatment Protocol Looks Like
The treatment journey with me typically begins with a thorough evaluation. The solutions are in your personal story.
I'll ask questions that help me understand your body as a whole system, not just the area of pain. By considering factors like sleep, stress, surgeries, and lifestyle habits, I can develop a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your pain and helps you achieve sustainable results.
From there, we move into the active treatment phase: most runners benefit from one to two shockwave sessions per week over the course of three to five weeks.
Many clients report significant relief even after the first session.
As healing progresses, we pair shockwave with targeted rehab—focused on restoring hip and core strength and improving motor control—so runners can safely return to full training.
Finally, maintenance includes home exercises and occasional sessions as needed to prevent reinjury and support long-term performance gains.
What Patients Are Saying
I’ve had great experiences going to Colin for shockwave therapy. He has proven to be very knowledgeable and has always taken the time to add manual therapy and electrical stim to the treated area to help improve healing and add strength. Colin has helped improve my hamstring health to get me back running, cycling and skiing. -- Ross T
Are you wondering, "Is Shockwave right for me?"
Shockwave is ideal if you:
Have nagging hamstring pain that won’t resolve
Want to maintain high mileage or speed
Need a deep-healing, root-cause approach
When Shockwave may not be suitable
There are some contraindications to Shockwave therapy. Shockwave may not be suitable for you if:
You are pregnant
Have active clotting disorders or blood-thinner use
Have local infections
Have had recent cortisone or steroid injections (within 6–12 weeks)
If there is the presence of tumors or cancer in the treatment area
Have acute tendon ruptures
Have implanted medical devices near the target area (e.g., pacemakers)
A thorough evaluation during your first visit will help determine whether shockwave therapy is safe and appropriate for your condition.
Ready to Run Without Pain?
If you're dealing with hamstring pain that won’t clear up, let’s talk. I offer one-on-one consultation calls to get to the root of chronic running injuries—often when everything else has failed.
Book a free 15-minute call with me to see if shockwave therapy is the right fit for you.
How to Connect with Me:
Colin O’Banion, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Colin is a licensed Physical Therapist and founder of Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy in Boulder, Colorado. With 20 years of experience, he specializes in solving complex and chronic pain cases through a root-cause, integrative approach. Colin combines advanced manual therapy, shockwave therapy, dry needling, and movement re-education to help clients return to the activities they love. His one-on-one practice is dedicated to clients seeking lasting solutions when traditional PT has fallen short.
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