Focused shockwave converges on one exact point up to about 12 cm deep, reaching tendons, the heel and pain points close to bone.
In chronic cases the body stops repairing the injured area. Shockwave delivers a controlled stimulus that jump-starts that healing response again.
Overuse injuries leave tendons with tiny tears, scar tissue and sometimes calcium buildup. In chronic cases, the body stops trying to repair the area, so the pain lingers for months or years. Research suggests shockwave helps in several ways:
Think of it as hitting "restart" on a healing process that stalled.
Focused shockwave works best on long-standing (chronic) tendon and soft-tissue pain where healing has stalled. Our main focus is chronic plantar fasciitis, the condition with the strongest research behind it.
Not sure if your pain fits? A quick screening with one of our physical therapists will tell you whether you're a good candidate.
You may be a good candidate if your pain has lasted more than a few months, other treatments haven't fixed it, and you'd like to avoid injections or surgery.
Shockwave isn't safe for everyone. Let us know if any of these apply to you:
Your physical therapist will review your history during your screening and recommend the safest option for you.
Shockwave
Many clinics advertise "shockwave," but most use radial pressure wave devices. Radial waves spread out from the skin and lose strength quickly, which suits large, shallow areas. Focused shockwave is a true shockwave that converges on a precise point at depth, which suits tendons, the heel and pain points close to bone.
| Focused Shockwave (what we use) | Radial Pressure Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| How the energy travels | Concentrated on one precise point | Spreads outward from the skin |
| Treatment depth | Up to about 12 cm (roughly 5 in) | Mostly superficial, up to about 5 cm |
| Peak pressure | 100–1,000 bar | 1–10 bar |
| Best for | Deep tendons, heel pain, pain points near bone | Larger, surface-level muscle areas |
Figures from the device manufacturer's clinical guidelines.
FAQ
Thinking about focused shockwave therapy? Here are clear answers about how it feels, how long it takes, and what recovery looks like.
You'll feel some discomfort, especially over the sorest spots, because the treatment works by stressing the injured tissue. Your therapist starts at a lower intensity and adjusts to your comfort. No numbing is needed.
The shockwave portion takes about 10 minutes. It's usually combined with other parts of your physical therapy session.
Many people feel some relief after the first session. Lasting improvement builds over 2 weeks to 3 months after your final session as the tissue heals.
Avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours. After that, your therapist will guide you back into exercise.
In most cases, you do not need a referral. You can schedule directly, and our team will guide you if any additional documentation is required.
Many clinics use radial pressure wave devices, which treat surface-level tissue. We use focused shockwave, which reaches deeper and targets a precise point. That's the type used in the major heel pain studies.
Contact
Us
Book a quick shockwave screening with one of our physical therapists. We'll review your history, check whether you're a good candidate, and build a plan that pairs focused shockwave with the right exercise for lasting results.
Our response time is within 30 minutes during business hours
