What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted acoustic (sound) waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Rather than simply masking pain, shockwave therapy encourages tissue repair by increasing blood flow, stimulating collagen production, and promoting the regeneration of damaged tissue.

Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, struggling with chronic tendon pain, or looking for an alternative to surgery or long-term medication, shockwave therapy offers an effective solution with little to no downtime.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic waves directly to the injured area. These sound waves create controlled mechanical stimulation that encourages your body’s natural healing process by:

• Increasing circulation and blood flow
• Stimulating collagen production
• Breaking down scar tissue and calcifications
• Reducing chronic inflammation
• Encouraging new blood vessel formation (neovascularization)
• Triggering tissue regeneration
• Helping decrease pain sensitivity

As damaged tissue begins to repair itself, many patients experience gradual pain relief and improved mobility.

Conditions That May Benefit from Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is commonly used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

Foot & Ankle

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Heel Pain

Knee

• Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)
• IT Band Syndrome

Shoulder

• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
• Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis
• Shoulder Pain

Elbow

• Tennis Elbow
• Golfer’s Elbow

Hip & Glute

• Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
• Gluteal Tendinopathy

Other Conditions

• Chronic tendon injuries
• Muscle strains
• Scar tissue restrictions
• Sports injuries
• Myofascial trigger points

Your provider will determine if shockwave therapy is appropriate based on your condition and medical history.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Non-Surgical Treatment

Many patients find relief without injections or surgery.

Drug-Free Pain Relief

Shockwave therapy supports your body’s natural healing process without relying on pain medications.

Improves Healing

By increasing circulation and stimulating collagen production, shockwave therapy helps repair damaged tissue rather than simply covering up symptoms.

Minimal Downtime

Most patients return to normal daily activities immediately following treatment.

Fast Treatments

Appointments typically last only 15–30 minutes.

Long-Lasting Results

As healing continues over several weeks, many patients experience lasting improvements in both pain and function.

What to Expect During Treatment

During your appointment:

• A conductive gel is applied to the treatment area.
• A handheld device delivers acoustic waves to the targeted tissue.
• You may experience mild discomfort during treatment, especially over injured tissue, but treatments are generally well tolerated.
• Sessions typically last between 15 and 30 minutes.

Depending on your condition, your provider may recommend a series of treatments for optimal results.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Most patients benefit from a series of 3–6 treatments, typically scheduled about one week apart.

Many patients notice improvement after the first few sessions, while others experience gradual improvement over several weeks as the body continues healing.

Recovery After Shockwave Therapy

One of the biggest advantages of shockwave therapy is that there is little to no recovery time.

Following treatment, you may experience:

• Mild soreness
• Tenderness
• Temporary redness
• Minor swelling

These symptoms usually resolve within a day or two.

Your provider may recommend temporarily avoiding high-impact exercise involving the treated area for a short period to allow the healing process to continue.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Shockwave therapy may be an excellent option if you:

• Have chronic tendon or joint pain
• Have not responded well to rest, physical therapy, or medications
• Want to avoid surgery
• Are looking for a non-invasive treatment option
• Want to improve mobility and return to daily activities

A consultation with our team will help determine if shockwave therapy is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shockwave therapy painful?

Most patients describe the sensation as moderate tapping or pulsing. Areas with more inflammation may feel more sensitive, but treatments are brief and generally well tolerated.

Is there any downtime?

Very little. Most patients return to work and normal daily activities immediately after treatment.

When will I see results?

Some patients notice improvement after one treatment, while others experience gradual improvement over several weeks as healing continues.

Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?

Coverage varies depending on your diagnosis and insurance plan. Our team can discuss payment options during your consultation.