Shockwave Therapy: A Non-Invasive Solution for Chronic Pain

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy — specifically SoftWave™ technology — uses focused acoustic energy waves to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms. Originally developed to break up kidney stones (lithotripsy), this technology has been refined and adapted for musculoskeletal pain management with remarkable results.

Unlike treatments that merely mask pain with medications, shockwave therapy addresses the underlying cause of chronic pain by promoting tissue regeneration, reducing inflammation, and recruiting your body's own stem cells to the treatment area.

How Does SoftWave™ Work?

The SoftWave device delivers electrohydraulic acoustic waves that penetrate deep into tissue. These waves create a cascade of biological responses:

• Stem cell activation: Acoustic waves recruit resident stem cells to the treatment area, initiating tissue repair
• Angiogenesis: New blood vessel formation improves blood supply to damaged tissue
• Inflammation modulation: Reduces chronic inflammatory markers while promoting healthy healing inflammation
• Collagen synthesis: Stimulates production of new collagen and connective tissue

What Conditions Does It Treat?

At Johnsons Family Medicine & Aesthetics, we use SoftWave shockwave therapy for a wide range of pain conditions:

• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Tennis and golfer's elbow
• Shoulder tendinitis and rotator cuff injuries
• Knee pain (including osteoarthritis)
• Hip bursitis
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Lower back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Neuropathy

What Does a Treatment Feel Like?

Each session lasts approximately 10–15 minutes. The SoftWave handpiece is applied directly to the skin over the affected area. You'll feel pulsing acoustic waves — most patients describe the sensation as intense but tolerable. Areas of active inflammation or damage will be more sensitive, which actually helps your provider identify the precise treatment zones.

“One of the aspects I appreciate most about shockwave therapy is that it works with the body's own healing biology. We're not masking pain — we're actually resolving the underlying tissue damage.” — Stephen Johnson, FNP-C

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

Most patients experience noticeable improvement within 1–3 sessions, though a series of 6–8 treatments is typically recommended for optimal results. Sessions are scheduled 1–2 weeks apart, with many patients reporting significant pain reduction after just the first treatment.

Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

If you've been living with chronic pain and want to avoid surgery or long-term medication use, shockwave therapy could be an excellent option. It's also ideal for patients who haven't responded adequately to physical therapy or cortisone injections.

Schedule a pain management consultation at Johnsons Family Medicine & Aesthetics, and together we'll determine whether SoftWave therapy — alone or combined with other regenerative approaches like PRP — can help you get back to living pain-free.