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Shockwave Therapy: 

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Shockwave therapy offers a conservative approach towards treating chronic pain. It works by encouraging the body to treat chronic pain sites as fresh injuries to restart the healing process. The shockwave produces kinetic waves which propagate up to 6 cm deep in the body. These waves cause the body to restart the healing process without invasive interventions.

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Our equipment: Chattanooga Intelect RPW2 

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How it Works?

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Radial Pressure Wave Therapy utilizes a pneumatic/ballistic design to deliver

high energy acoustic sound waves. Radial pressure wave devices generate their

maximal energy on the skin, which then dissipates as it travels to depth.

Maximal treatment depth is 6.0 cm with RPW units. Energy levels at depth

are dictated by the settings on the machine and the applicator used. The energy

being delivered at depth is over a broader area than the surface level. 

 

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The kinetic waves are produced by using compressed air to accelerate a projectile which strikes the flat applicator head producing rapid powerful waves. These waves cause the body to engage the inflammatory response; while in many contexts inflammation is bad, in this context it is a good thing.

 

Inflammation is the process by which the body sends more blood and nutrients to a site to encourage tissue repair. In some chronic pain conditions, such as the ones listed below, the inflammatory process has since stopped and never finished repairing the issue. Therefore, restarting the inflammatory process causes the body to wake up and repair these damaged sites.​

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Conditions that can benefit from this treatment: 

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• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

• Chronic shoulder pain

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

• Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

• Gluteal Tendinopathy

• IT band dysfunction

• Hamstring Tendinopathy

• Patellar Tendinopathy

• Arthritic knee pain

• Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

• Achilles Tendinopathy

• Spastic muscles due to brain or spinal cord injuries

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Click the link below for some well documented research studies

supporting shockwave treatment of the above conditions!

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RESEARCH

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​FAQ's:

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Does it hurt?

There is a mild "ache" associated with the treatment, about a 3-4/10. During treatment your provider will coach you through what you should expect to feel. You will provide feedback during treatment, as we want to linger on areas that might jump up to a 6-7/10 on a pain scale. These more painful areas signal problem areas that need more attention. 

 

How long is a treatment?

Treatments are quick. Roughly 2,000 pulses is the recommended "dose" for a specific treatment area, about the size of an index card, and can be completed within 5 minutes.

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How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments needed will vary based on the condition and response to treatment. Treatment frequency is recommended at 1x per week for 4-8 weeks for maximum benefit. This allows the inflammatory response to take place and to break the cycle of the chronic pain processes. 

 

Can I do another treatment course for the same area?

If a complaint area improved but not fully, it is recommended to wait at least 1-2 months before starting another course of treatment. There is little evidence to support more than 2 full courses of treatment to one complaint region. 

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Who should NOT have Radial Pressure Shockwave Therapy?

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• ​During pregnancy

• Blood clotting disorders including thrombosis, history of stroke

• Near open growth plates

• Anyone taking anticoagulants

• Pacemakers, other implanted devices

• Over infection or open wounds or cancers

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