What Shockwave Therapy Is

Shockwave Therapy (also called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, or ESWT) is a non-surgical treatment that uses short bursts of high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural repair process in chronically irritated tendons, ligaments, and fascia. It’s especially helpful when a nagging injury hasn’t responded to rest, stretching, or basic care.

At Back 2 Back Chiropractic, we use a medical-grade system that lets us dial in intensity and pulse rate for your specific tissue and pain tolerance. Sessions are quick, there’s no anesthesia, and you walk out the same day- usually feeling looser and optimistic that your stubborn injury finally has a path forward

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Chronic tendon and fascia problems often get “stuck” in a low-grade, non-healing state. Shockwave Therapy delivers controlled acoustic pulses that create micro-stimulation in the target tissue. That stimulus:

• Boosts blood flow and new vessel growth (neovascularization)
• Breaks up disorganized scar tissue/calcific deposits so fresh collagen can lay down correctly
• Calms overactive pain nerves while resetting muscle tone around the area

We gradually increase intensity during the visit to reach a strong-but-tolerable “therapeutic ache.” Most patients describe the sensation as rhythmic, with audible clicks from the handpiece. The goal is to ignite a true healing response- not to bruise the area- so the settings are always customized to you.

What Shockwave Therapy Treats

Shockwave shines for tough, overuse-type problems and tendon pain, including:

• Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs
• Achilles tendinopathy (mid-portion or insertional)
• Patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”)
• Tennis or golfer’s elbow (lateral/medial epicondylitis)
• Rotator-cuff/shoulder tendinopathy, including calcific deposits
• Gluteal/hip tendinopathy and greater-trochanteric pain
• Hamstring strains, adductor and IT-band issues
• Shin splints and chronic myofascial trigger points

We’ll confirm candidacy during your exam. Active infections, open wounds, over areas of known tumors, uncontrolled bleeding disorders/anticoagulation, or pregnancy over the treatment region are typical reasons to postpone or choose another therapy.

Frequency of Treatments

Most plans follow a 3-6 session series, spaced 5-10 days apart. Many people feel a change after the first visit; while durable relief usually builds over 6-12 weeks after the series as your body heals itself. For long-standing problems or high-demand athletes, we may add a short booster series later in the season.

Shockwave pairs beautifully with our chiropractic adjustments and (when needed) soft-tissue work– a combo that fixes mechanics while the tissue heals.

What to Expect

Before

We review your history, examine the area, and mark tender fibers so we can be precise. No special clothing required- just easy access to the treatment spot. Since the treatment has to be on skin, if clothing covers the area we have gowns available so we don’t stretch any fabric.

During

Ultrasound gel goes on to create a lubricant barrier to guard against skin irritation, and the Shockwave handpiece delivers pulses that feel like firm, rhythmic taps, almost like a massage gun. We start light, check in, then work up to a strong but tolerable level. You’re in control- if your pain spikes up over a 3-4 on whatever your pain scale is out of 10, let us know and we adjust the settings to your comfort level.

After

Expect mild redness or a deep “worked” feeling for 24-48 hours. Keep moving (short walks are great), hydrate well for two days so the pro-healing response isn’t blunted. Most people resume normal activity immediately!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it hurt?

You’ll feel a deep, rhythmic pressure that can be intense over tender spots, but it’s very brief and always adjustable. Most patients say it’s “strong but do-able,”. Pain should never increase more than a 3-4 on your pain scale out of 10.

How is this different from ultrasound or TENS?

Ultrasound and TENS are gentle modalities. Shockwave delivers therapeutic acoustic pulses that create a deeper, biologic reset in stubborn tissue- ideal for chronic tendon/fascia problems.

How soon will I feel better?

Most feel immediate relief after the first session. The biggest changes typically show up between weeks 3-8 as collagen remodels.

Can Shockwave replace surgery?

It’s non-surgical and can help many patients avoid injections or surgery. If your case needs a surgical opinion, we’ll refer and coordinate your care right away.

Any downtime or side effects?

Minimal. Temporary soreness, redness, or bruising can happen, usually resolving within 48 hours. Side effects are rare when the therapy is applied correctly, and most people go back to life immediately feeling less pain!

Is it covered by insurance?

Coverage varies and is limited on many plans. HSAs/FSAs usually apply, and we offer straightforward package pricing. We’ll verify your benefits before you commit.

If a stubborn tendon or muscle pain is stealing your stride, Shockwave Therapy can be the turning point. Book your evaluation at Back 2 Back Chiropractic and get back to pain-free motion.