Shockwave Therapy – Non-Invasive Regenerative Medicine

What is shockwave therapy? How does it work?

Shockwave Therapy is a state of the art non-invasive regenerative therapy works by delivering high-energy shockwaves (acoustic or sound waves) directly into damaged tissue. These focused shockwaves activate and accelerate your body’s own healing mechanisms to start repairing damaged tissue by increasing blood flow, promoting tissue regeneration, and helping to break down calcified deposits. By activating stem cells, elastin fibers, collagen fibers, fibroblasts—while stimulating angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels)—this therapy effectively treats both acute and chronic injuries to repair soft tissue.

Our Technology

We use a focused shockwave device that is an FDA registered Class I Medical Device. It uses advanced Electromagnetic Pulse Wave Technology that can be tailored for each condition treated. The depth of penetration can be customized allowing for both deep tissue and superficial therapy.

Conditions Treated

• Foot & Ankle: Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles’ Tendinopathies, and Ligament or Muscles Strains or Injury
• Knee & Leg: Patellar Tendinopathy, Osteoarthritis, IT Band, and Jumper’s Knee, Hamstring Injuries
• Hip & Pelvis: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Bursitis, Iliopsoas Bursitis, and Hip Flexor Tendinosis, Osteitis Pubis, and Coccydynia or Tailbone Pain
• Hand & Wrist: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Elbow & Shoulder: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) and Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis), Calcific Tendinopathy, Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Frozen Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis, and Osteoarthritis
• General: Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Trigger Points, Osteoarthritis

What to Expect

• Session Duration: Approximately 15 minutes.
• Treatment Plan: Depending on the condition, we typically recommend 3–8 sessions.
• Frequency: 1–2 times per week over the course of several weeks.

Insurance & Coverage

While Shockwave Therapy is backed by strong clinical evidence for safety and efficacy, it is not currently covered by most insurance plans. To make care accessible, we offer:

• Flexible Packages: Tailored to your specific treatment goals.
• HSA/FSA Eligible: You may use your Health Savings or Flexible Spending Account funds to pay for treatments.

Establishing Care

New patient visits to assess each patient’s conditions and appropriate treatments can be typically billed to insurance under your medical benefits. Our office is a specialty medical clinic so your insurance would typically utilize your specialist physician benefits. Shockwave is just one of many services we offer. Click here to view more treatment options.

Safety & Contraindications

While Shockwave Therapy is safe for most individuals, there are specific medical conditions where this treatment is not advised.

Absolute Contraindications

• Malignancy or Metastatic Disease: Treatment is not performed in cases of active neoplasia, known metastatic disease, or suspected metastatic conditions. Because shockwaves stimulate cell proliferation and microvasculature (angiogenesis), they could potentially interfere with these conditions.
• Pregnancy: Treatment is not to be used over the abdominal region or near reproductive organs in individuals who are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Internal Organs: This therapy is never applied directly over internal organs, the lungs, or major blood vessels.

Medical Precautions & Considerations

• Medications:
  • Steroids: Not recommended for patients on a Medrol Dosepack or long-term high-dose oral steroids, as these can inhibit the inflammatory “healing” response the therapy aims to trigger.
  • Chemotherapy: Generally avoided for those currently undergoing active chemotherapy.
  • Blood Thinners: Patients on high doses of anticoagulants (blood thinners) should consult with our providers first, as there is an increased risk of bruising or petechiae (small red spots on the skin).
• Pacemakers: While focused shockwave therapy is generally safe for treating extremities (like the foot or knee), we exercise extreme caution and may avoid treatment near the chest or torso for patients with cardiac pacemakers.
• Children: Treatment is typically avoided over open growth plates in children.

Your Path to Healing: 3 Simple Steps

1. Schedule Your Assessment: Call our office at 208-322-5922 to book an appointment with one of our specialists. We will review your medical history and evaluate your condition to see if Shockwave Therapy is right for you.
2. Create Your Plan: If you are a candidate, we will design a tailored package (typically 3–8 sessions) and discuss how to utilize your HSA/FSA funds.
3. Start Treatment: Each session takes only 15 minutes, and there is zero downtime. You can get back to your day immediately following your appointment.

Additional Resources and Research:

• Clinical Evidence for Lower Back Pain, Degenerative Knee Arthritis, Frozen Shoulder, Calcified Shoulder Tendinosis, Knee Osteoarthritis, Knee Tendinopathies, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy, Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow, Hip Pain & Thigh Pain, Heel Spur, Chronic Neck Pain, Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Burn Scars & Wound Healing, TMJ, Reduce Cellulite
• Mayo Clinic: “The evolving use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in managing musculoskeletal and neurological diagnoses“
• Physiopedia: “Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy”
• WebMD: “What Is Shockwave Therapy?”