Shockwave therapy works by sending acoustic waves into injured tissue to restart the body's natural healing process. That makes it especially good at the kind of chronic soft tissue and tendon problems that tend to overstay their welcome. Here are the conditions we treat with it most often at Lemont Active Chiro.
Plantar fasciitis
Heel pain that is sharpest with the first steps of the morning is often plantar fasciitis, an irritation of the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. Shockwave therapy stimulates circulation and tissue repair in the plantar fascia, which can break the pain cycle when stretching, orthotics, and rest have not.
Achilles tendonitis
Pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle can sideline runners and active people for months. Shockwave therapy targets the injured Achilles tendon to encourage repair, so you can get back to training.
Tennis and golfer's elbow
Pain on the outside or inside of the elbow usually comes from overuse of the forearm tendons. It affects far more than just athletes, showing up in anyone who grips, lifts, or types repetitively. These tendon injuries are among the most studied uses of shockwave therapy.
Rotator cuff and shoulder pain
Nagging shoulder pain that limits reaching overhead often traces to an irritated rotator cuff tendon or, in some cases, calcium deposits. Shockwave therapy works on the tendon itself and can help break down those deposits, easing pain and improving range of motion.
Shin splints and other stubborn tendon injuries
Lower-leg pain that flares every time you ramp activity back up, along with a range of other chronic tendon and ligament injuries, can respond to shockwave therapy when the usual rest-and-stretch approach has stopped working.
The best results usually come from combining shockwave therapy with chiropractic care and targeted exercise, so the joint, the tissue, and your movement all improve together.
Not sure if your injury fits?
The list above is a starting point, not the whole story. The only way to know whether shockwave therapy is right for your specific case is an exam. If an injury has lingered for months, it is worth asking about.