Focused & Radial Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Pain, Sports Injuries & Tendon Conditions
Chronic pain that hasn't gotten better with rest, manual care, physical therapy, injections, or other conservative treatment is one of the most common problems we see at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center. Shockwave Therapy is one of the tools we use to help the body heal itself and get patients back to the activities they enjoy.
At Mt. Lookout Chiropractic, we offer both STORZ Focused Shockwave Therapy and STORZ Radial Shockwave Therapy. That means our doctors can build your treatment plan around your injury and your goals, not the other way around.
Our multidisciplinary team combines this technology with evidence-based rehabilitation to treat chronic tendon injuries, heel pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, sports injuries, and many other musculoskeletal conditions.
Curious whether Shockwave Therapy is right for you? Schedule an appointment with one of our providers.
Why Choose Mt. Lookout Chiropractic for Shockwave Therapy?
Owning the equipment isn’t what makes Shockwave Therapy work. Good outcomes come from an accurate diagnosis, the right patient selection, an individualized treatment plan, and the experience to know which technology fits each condition.
Our doctors are trained through the Shockwave Academy and are also trained in non-surgical joint replacement techniques, so every treatment follows current, evidence-informed protocols.
Many clinics offer only one type of shockwave technology. We’ve invested in both Focused and Radial Shockwave systems, which gives our providers the flexibility to select, or combine, whichever technology fits your diagnosis and stage of healing.
We use Storz Medical equipment for both systems. Our Focused Shockwave unit is electromagnetic, which is considered the gold standard in musculoskeletal shockwave technology, giving us the depth and precision needed for deeper tendon and joint conditions.
Our multidisciplinary team works together to deliver care that may include:
- Corrective Exercise
- Progressive Strengthening
- Soft Tissue Treatment
- Return to Sport Programming
Our goal isn’t simply to reduce pain. It’s to restore movement, improve function, and help you stay active for the long term.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
Applied to injured tissue, these acoustic waves stimulate cellular activity, encourage healthy blood vessel formation, improve circulation, and support tissue remodeling. That makes Shockwave Therapy particularly effective for chronic tendon injuries and soft tissue conditions that haven’t healed completely on their own.
Rather than masking symptoms with medication, Shockwave Therapy is designed to encourage the body’s own repair process.
Why We Offer Both Focused and Radial Shockwave Therapy
Every injury is different, so the best technology is the one that fits your specific condition.
Many clinics offer only one type of shockwave system and use it for every patient. At Mt. Lookout Chiropractic, we take a more personalized approach.
We use both Focused Shockwave Therapy and Radial Shockwave Therapy, so our providers can determine which technology, or combination of both, is right for your diagnosis.
For many patients, combining the two lets us treat not just the injured tendon or ligament, but also the surrounding muscles, fascia, and soft tissue that contribute to pain and movement limitations.
Focused Shockwave Therapy
Focused Shockwave delivers acoustic energy precisely to deeper tissues, which makes it a good option for chronic tendon injuries and other conditions that need targeted treatment.
Common uses include:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfer’s Elbow
- Patellar Tendinopathy
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
- Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis
- Hip Tendinopathy
- Hamstring Tendinopathy
Radial Shockwave Therapy
Radial Shockwave delivers energy over a broader area and is commonly used on muscles, fascia, trigger points, and superficial soft tissue.
We often use it to improve tissue mobility, reduce muscle tension, and complement Focused Shockwave Therapy as part of a full rehabilitation program.
The Mt. Lookout Chiropractic Difference
We don’t believe one technology is better than the other. We believe the best outcomes come from selecting the right technology, or combining both, based on your injury, your goals, and where you are in the healing process.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
Shockwave Therapy may help with many chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis – Persistent heel pain is often caused by chronic degeneration of the plantar fascia, not ongoing inflammation. Shockwave Therapy helps stimulate healing in the damaged tissue and may improve pain and function when stretching, orthotics, or other conservative treatment hasn’t provided lasting relief.
- Achilles Tendinopathy – Chronic Achilles tendon pain can make walking, running, and exercise difficult. Shockwave Therapy helps stimulate healing in the tendon while supporting a return to activity.
- Tennis Elbow – Pain on the outside of the elbow often develops from repetitive overuse. Shockwave Therapy may help stimulate tendon repair while reducing pain and improving grip strength.
- Golfer’s Elbow – Shockwave Therapy can be an effective option for chronic tendon pain on the inside of the elbow that hasn’t responded to traditional treatment.
- Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) – Athletes who jump and run commonly develop chronic patellar tendon pain. Shockwave Therapy may help stimulate healing while supporting a safe return to activity.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy – Shoulder pain can get in the way of lifting, sleeping, and daily life. We may use Shockwave Therapy as part of a rehabilitation program to improve tendon health and restore shoulder function.
- Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis – Focused Shockwave Therapy has been studied as a non-surgical option for calcium deposits in the rotator cuff and may help reduce pain while improving shoulder mobility.
- Hip Tendinopathy & Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome – Shockwave Therapy may help patients with chronic pain along the outside of the hip caused by tendon irritation or degeneration.
- Hamstring Tendinopathy – Persistent pain near the sitting bone or upper hamstring often responds well to Shockwave Therapy combined with progressive strengthening and rehabilitation.
- Knee Osteoarthritis – Knee osteoarthritis can make walking, climbing stairs, exercising, and everyday activities harder over time. Shockwave Therapy doesn’t reverse arthritis, but research suggests it may reduce pain, improve function, and enhance mobility by stimulating healing in the surrounding soft tissue and supporting better joint mechanics. As part of a full treatment plan that may include strengthening exercises, manual therapy, and movement training, it can help many patients stay active and delay more invasive treatment.
- Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) – Frozen shoulder causes pain, stiffness, and a gradual loss of shoulder motion that can get in the way of daily life. Shockwave Therapy may help reduce pain, improve tissue quality, and restore shoulder mobility when combined with targeted stretching, manual therapy, and rehabilitation exercises. We build an individualized treatment plan for each patient to help them regain function and return to normal activity as safely and efficiently as possible.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Shockwave Therapy?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Have had pain lasting longer than six weeks
- Have chronic tendon or ligament pain
- Haven’t improved with rest, stretching, or physical therapy alone
- Want to avoid injections or surgery when appropriate
- Want a non-invasive treatment option
- Want to return to work, sports, or an active lifestyle
Every patient starts with a comprehensive evaluation so we can determine whether Shockwave Therapy is appropriate for their diagnosis.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first visit starts with a thorough exam to find the underlying cause of your pain.
If Shockwave Therapy is recommended, your provider will walk you through the treatment plan and answer your questions before treatment begins.
Most sessions last about 10 to 15 minutes. Many patients describe the treatment as a series of rapid pulses that create moderate discomfort over the injured tissue. We adjust the intensity based on your comfort level and clinical needs.
Most conditions respond best to 6 to 8 sessions, though your provider will recommend a plan based on your diagnosis and goals.
To get the best results, we often combine Shockwave Therapy with rehabilitation exercises, strength training, chiropractic care, physical therapy, or other evidence-based treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave
Does Shockwave Therapy hurt?
Most patients feel moderate discomfort during treatment, especially over chronically injured tissue. The treatment is brief, and we can adjust the intensity to your comfort level.
How many treatments will I need?
Many patients benefit from six to eight treatments, though the exact number depends on your diagnosis, how long you've had symptoms, and how you respond to care.
Is there any downtime?
Most patients return to normal daily activity right after treatment. Depending on your condition, your provider may recommend modifying high-impact activity for a short time.
Is Shockwave Therapy covered by insurance?
At this time, Shockwave Therapy isn't covered by health insurance for musculoskeletal conditions, so it's a self-pay treatment. Before you begin, we'll walk you through your personalized treatment plan, the expected number of visits, and all costs upfront, and answer any questions so you can make an informed decision about your care.
Is Shockwave Therapy safe?
Yes. When performed by trained providers, Shockwave Therapy has an excellent safety record and has been used around the world for many years to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
Can Shockwave Therapy help me avoid surgery?
Every condition is different. For some patients, Shockwave Therapy improves symptoms enough to delay or avoid more invasive treatment. Your provider will talk with you about whether it's appropriate for your specific diagnosis.
Can Shockwave Therapy be combined with chiropractic care or physical therapy?
Yes. Some of the best outcomes happen when we combine Shockwave Therapy with chiropractic care, physical therapy, corrective exercise, manual therapy, and strength training.
What's the difference between Focused and Radial Shockwave Therapy?
Focused Shockwave targets a deeper, more precise area and works well for chronic tendon injuries. Radial Shockwave spreads energy over a broader surface and works well on muscles, fascia, and trigger points. We often use both together, depending on your diagnosis.
What kind of equipment do you use?
We use Storz Medical equipment for both our Focused and Radial Shockwave systems. Our Focused unit is electromagnetic, which is considered the gold standard in musculoskeletal shockwave technology.
How soon will I notice results?
Some patients notice improvement within the first few sessions, though most conditions need the full course of 6 to 8 treatments for lasting results. Long-standing, chronic injuries typically take longer to respond than more recent ones.
Can Shockwave Therapy help with arthritis?
Shockwave Therapy doesn't reverse arthritis, but it may help reduce pain and improve function for knee osteoarthritis and other joint conditions by supporting the health of the surrounding soft tissue. Your provider can tell you whether it's appropriate for your case.
What should I do before and after treatment?
Avoid NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or aspirin, for 24 hours before your treatment, and avoid them again for 24 hours afterward. Skip ice on the treated area, heat can be used for releif. Your provider will also walk you through any instructions specific to your condition.
What kind of training do your providers have?
Our doctors are trained through the Shockwave Academy and are also trained in non-surgical joint replacement techniques, so your treatment plan follows current, evidence-informed protocols.
Begin Your Recovery Today
You don't have to accept chronic pain as part of everyday life.
Whether you're dealing with plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, or another persistent injury, our team is here to help.
At Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center, you'll get a comprehensive evaluation, a personalized treatment plan, and access to both Focused and Radial Shockwave Therapy, so we can choose the right technology for your injury and your goals.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and find out whether Shockwave Therapy can help you move better, recover faster, and get back to doing what you love.