Shockwave Therapy

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy (also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or ESWT) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in chronically painful or injured tissue. Originally used to break up kidney stones, this technology has been refined into a highly effective musculoskeletal treatment used by top sports medicine clinics and chiropractic practices worldwide.

At McNamara Chiropractic Center in Lighthouse Point, FL, Dr. Carol McNamara uses shockwave therapy to treat a wide range of conditions that have not responded well to conventional treatments — delivering results that patients often describe as life-changing.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

The shockwave device delivers controlled pulses of acoustic energy directly into the affected tissue. This triggers a series of biological responses:

• Breaks down calcifications and scar tissue
• Stimulates the production of collagen and growth factors
• Promotes new blood vessel formation (neovascularization)
• Reduces chronic pain by desensitizing nerve fibers
• Accelerates the body's natural healing response

Conditions Treated

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Rotator cuff tendinitis and calcific shoulder
• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
• Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee)
• Hip pain and greater trochanteric bursitis
• Chronic back and neck pain
• Myofascial pain and trigger points

What to Expect

Shockwave therapy sessions are relatively brief (typically 5-10 minutes per treatment area) and require no anesthesia or downtime. Some patients experience mild discomfort during treatment, but most tolerate it well. A typical course involves 3-6 sessions spaced 1-2 weeks apart.

Clinical studies show that shockwave therapy achieves success rates of 70-90% for many chronic tendon conditions. If you have been struggling with stubborn pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, shockwave therapy may be the solution. Call us today.