Shockwave Therapy

A Cutting-Edge Treatment for Chronic Pain

Pain relief using shockwave treatment.

What is Shockwave Therapy? Also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment in which a machine delivers high-energy acoustic waves into an injured area of the body to relieve chronic pain. These powerful sound waves stimulate the body’s natural healing response by breaking down calcium deposits, increasing blood flow, stimulating tissue regeneration, and reducing inflammation.

What Conditions Can Be Successfully Treated with Shockwave Therapy?  This advanced treatment is ideal for a range of common chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
• Rotator cuff tendinitis
• Chronic neck and back pain
• Hip pain (such as trochanteric bursitis)
• Knee pain (such as patellar tendinitis)
• Shin splints

What Are Some of the Key Benefits of SWT? 

• Non-invasive (does not require surgery or injections)
• Minimal side effects 
• No downtime after treatment
• Marked pain reduction 
• Improved mobility and function
• Accelerated healing 

What Can I Expect During a Session of Shockwave Therapy? It’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothing to the appointment so that the area of complaint can easily be exposed since SWT needs to be applied directly to bare skin. Your doctor may also have you put on a patient gown if you are having your back or upper thigh treated. After ultrasound gel is applied to the skin, the doctor will then gently glide a handheld device (similar to an ultrasound wand) over the area of complaint to deliver the healing shockwaves. During treatment, patients will be able to sense the pulsating waves, which often feel like a deep massage of the muscles. The intensity and frequency of the shockwaves can be adjusted based on the specific condition being treated and patient tolerance.  In general, Shockwave Therapy is very comfortable and often completely painless. The entire treatment takes between 10-15 minutes and requires no recovery time afterward.

How Many Sessions of ESWT Will I Need? The number of treatments depends on the nature of the injury, where it’s located on the body and how long you’ve had the injury.  Most patients experience long-term results in just 3-5 sessions.  

At Left Hand Chiropractic Center, we have had the privilege of helping numerous people heal from lingering injuries which they thought would never get better. Patients have seen amazing results with SWT for a variety of chronic conditions, most commonly chronic neck and upper back tension, low back pain and shoulder dysfunction.  We’ve also had great success treating post-surgical chronic pain and plantar fasciitis. Call to book your appointment with either Dr. Drew Illman or Dr. Christine Illman today to see if Shockwave Therapy could be the answer you’ve been looking for!