Shockwave Therapy

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy (also called pressure wave therapy) uses acoustic waves to break up scar tissue and trigger your body’s natural healing process. Most patients notice relief in just a few sessions.

Common uses:

• Trigger finger
• Tendonitis (shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic muscle tension and knots
• Sports injuries

How It Works

The device looks like a large pen. When applied to the affected area, it delivers acoustic waves that create controlled micro-trauma. This breaks up scar tissue that’s been blocking proper healing.

Here’s why that matters: When your body heals from an injury, scar tissue forms quickly to patch things up. But scar tissue fibers are laid down randomly—not in the organized pattern your muscles and tendons are supposed to have. That’s why old injuries keep hurting.

Shockwave therapy breaks up that disorganized scar tissue. Then your body goes back in and heals it correctly, with fibers aligned the way they should be.

How It Feels

One of our patients described it perfectly: “It feels like you’re getting flicked by a rubber band, but without the sting.”

You’ll feel vibrations and some pressure during treatment. It’s not painful, even on areas that hurt. Some people find it oddly satisfying—especially compared to other therapies where you don’t feel anything happening.

Sessions last 5-10 minutes. Most people need 5-10 treatments for best results, spaced about a week apart.

When You’ll Notice Results

It depends on how long you’ve been dealing with the problem.

If it’s newer (acute): You might feel relief right after your first session. Sometimes it takes a few hours to kick in.

If it’s been going on for a while (chronic): You’ll need more sessions, but the results are still worth it. Many patients avoid surgery this way.

How It Fits Into Your Care

Most patients add shockwave therapy to their chiropractic adjustments. We’ll apply it while you’re on the table during your adjustment. It’s quick and doesn’t add much time to your visit.

You can also book shockwave sessions on their own if that makes more sense for you.

Common Questions

Is this the same as “shock therapy”?
No. The technical term is “shockwave,” but there’s no shocking involved. We like to call it pressure wave therapy because that’s more accurate and less intimidating.

How is this different from cold laser?
Cold laser also works great, but you don’t feel anything during treatment. Some people (especially those who like to feel something working) prefer shockwave for that reason. It also penetrates deeper into the tissue.

Can I use this on old injuries?
Yes. That’s actually one of the best uses for it. Old injuries often have stubborn scar tissue that’s been there for years. Shockwave breaks that up so your body can finally heal it properly.

How many sessions will I need?
Most people need 5-10 sessions, once a week. If your issue is newer, you might need fewer. If it’s been chronic, plan for closer to 10.

Does insurance cover this?
We’re an out-of-network provider, so this is an out-of-pocket service. Upon request, we can provide superbills for possible reimbursement.