What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy?
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that generates shockwaves most commonly through sound waves and pressure waves that can be applied to areas of pain and injury. The goal of this treatment is to help tissue heal and reduce pain. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy may be a viable option for patients who have not responded to more conservative treatments. Our clinicians have seen that most patients using this treatment experience some level of quality-of-life improvement.
What can extracorporeal shockwave therapy treat?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy can be used to treat acute or chronic pain in bone and over soft tissues including tendon, muscle, ligament, and fascia. Areas include:
- Elbow
- Shoulder
- Hamstring
- Upper and lower extremities
- Foot and ankle
- Myofascial trigger points
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is approved by the FDA for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow and has been proven in clinical studies to help treat sports injuries such as Achilles and hamstring tendonitis, and shoulder tendonitis.
Your insurance may not cover extracorporeal shockwave therapy for all areas listed above. The level of coverage provided to you is determined by your insurer.
What to expect
Patients receive weekly shockwave treatment for three to five total sessions, depending on their condition. Each session takes about 15 minutes. Results can vary. Some patients say they begin to feel pain relief after just one treatment. For others, it can take longer for pain relief to begin.
