How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Quick Answer: Shockwave therapy sends high-energy acoustic pulses into damaged tissue to kickstart the body's natural repair process. It increases blood flow, breaks down calcium buildup, and stimulates collagen production. At McNamara Chiropractic Center, we use it to treat chronic tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff issues, and more — with many patients seeing noticeable results in just 3 to 5 sessions.

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The Full Answer

Shockwave therapy is one of the most exciting developments in non-surgical musculoskeletal care over the last two decades. It's especially effective for conditions that have been resistant to conventional treatment — the kind of chronic tendon and soft tissue problems that don't respond well to ice, rest, or anti-inflammatory medication alone.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy — formally called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) — uses a handheld device to transmit high-energy acoustic pressure waves through the skin and into the underlying tissue. Despite the name, it doesn't involve electrical shocks. The "shockwave" refers to the rapid pressure pulse generated by the device — similar to how a sonic boom is a shockwave created by a supersonic aircraft.

At McNamara Chiropractic Center, we use radial shockwave therapy, which delivers pressure waves that radiate outward from the applicator tip in a cone pattern, making it ideal for larger treatment areas and soft tissue conditions.

The Biological Mechanism: What Happens Inside the Tissue

When shockwave energy enters injured tissue, it triggers a cascade of biological responses:

1. Neovascularization (New Blood Vessel Formation)
Shockwaves stimulate the production of growth factors — particularly VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) — that signal the body to grow new blood vessels into chronically injured tissue. Tendons and fascia have naturally poor blood supply, which is why chronic tendon injuries are so slow to heal. By forcing new vessel growth, shockwave therapy restores the blood flow these tissues need to repair.

2. Breakdown of Calcific Deposits
Chronic injuries often develop calcium deposits within tendons — a condition called calcific tendinopathy. Shockwave therapy mechanically disrupts these calcifications, breaking them into small fragments that the body can then absorb and eliminate.

3. Collagen Production
Collagen is the structural protein that makes up tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Shockwave therapy stimulates fibroblasts — the cells responsible for collagen synthesis — to produce new, healthy collagen fibers that strengthen and repair damaged tissue.

4. Pain Gate Effect
High-energy shockwaves temporarily overstimulate pain receptors in the treated area, causing a desensitization effect. This can produce rapid pain relief even before the underlying tissue has fully healed — making shockwave therapy both a symptomatic and a structural treatment.

5. Reduction of Substance P
Substance P is a neuropeptide associated with chronic pain signaling. Shockwave therapy has been shown to reduce local concentrations of Substance P, which helps break the chronic pain cycle in long-standing tendinopathies.

Conditions We Treat with Shockwave Therapy

At McNamara Chiropractic Center, shockwave therapy is used for:

• Plantar fasciitis — One of the best-documented uses of ESWT; highly effective for heel pain
• Achilles tendinopathy — Chronic Achilles pain that hasn't responded to stretching or orthotics
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy and calcific tendinitis — Shoulder pain and calcification
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) — Chronic outer elbow pain
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome — Hip pain from gluteal tendon dysfunction
• Myofascial trigger points — Deep muscular knots causing referred pain

What to Expect During a Session

A typical shockwave session at our office:

• Duration: 10 to 20 minutes
• Applicator: A handheld probe is applied to the treatment area with gel for optimal wave transmission
• Sensation: You'll feel a rapid, repetitive tapping or pulsing. There is often mild discomfort over the most tender areas — this is normal and typically tolerable
• After the session: Mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours is common and indicates the tissue is responding. Avoid anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen) after sessions, as inflammation is part of the healing process being stimulated

How Many Sessions Do I Need?

Most patients see meaningful improvement in 3 to 5 sessions, spaced 5 to 7 days apart to allow healing between treatments. Some chronic conditions may require up to 6 to 8 sessions.

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Dealing with stubborn tendon or soft tissue pain? Call McNamara Chiropractic Center at (954) 943-1100 to find out if shockwave therapy is right for you. Visit us at 3320 N. Federal Highway, Suite 101, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064.

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