277 How Shockwave works

If you have chronic pain or a stubborn injury that won’t heal, this episode explains a treatment option that can help your body restart the healing process: shockwave therapy. We cover what it is, how it works, what conditions it helps, what results to expect, and how to know if you’re a good fit.

This is a “plain English” episode designed to help you stop guessing and start making a smart next step.

Who this episode is for

This episode is for you if you’ve tried rest, stretching, physical therapy, meds, or home tools and your pain keeps coming back—especially with heel pain, Achilles pain, elbow pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, or tendon injuries.

Key takeaways

Shockwave therapy is non-surgical and non-invasive, meaning no injections and no downtime like surgery. It uses sound-wave pulses to increase blood flow, break up painful scar tissue, and stimulate your body’s natural repair process. It can also support collagen production, which helps tendons and soft tissues get stronger over time. Many people start noticing improvement after a few sessions, but the goal is steady progress and longer-lasting relief.

What is shockwave therapy (simple definition)

Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound-wave pulses sent into the injured area. Those pulses create small, controlled “micro-stimulations” that tell your body: “Focus healing right here.”

How it works (what’s happening inside your body)

The pulses travel through the skin to the sore tissue. This can increase blood circulation, bring oxygen and nutrients to the area, help break up scar tissue that causes stiffness, stimulate a healing response, and support collagen production.

Conditions discussed in this episode

Shockwave therapy is commonly used for:

  • Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
  • Achilles tendinitis / Achilles tendon pain
  • Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
  • Shoulder pain (including some rotator cuff-related problems)
  • Chronic joint pain
  • Hip pain
  • Tendon injuries that are slow to calm down

What to expect

The first step is a thorough evaluation to confirm the real source of your pain and whether shockwave is the right tool. If you’re a good fit, a plan is created for your condition, and most people complete treatment across a small number of sessions.

FAQ

Is shockwave therapy invasive? No. It’s non-invasive and does not require injections.
How many sessions do people need? Many people feel improvement after a few sessions, but the exact plan depends on the condition and how long it’s been going on.
Is it only for athletes? No. Athletes use it, but it’s also for regular people who just want to walk, work, and live with less pain.
What if I’ve tried everything already? That’s a common reason people look into shockwave—especially for chronic tendon or heel pain that doesn’t respond to the basics.

Next step

If you’re ready to stop living with pain and want to see if shockwave therapy is right for you, schedule a visit.

Call or text: 337-453-5199
Full Article: drjustintrosclair.com

About the Author
Dr. Justin Trosclair, D.C., an expert in Chiropractic Care, has been focusing on back and neck pain relief for over 12 years and has delivered treatment to more than 6000 patients. With advanced training in treating disc derangement conditions, you can count on him to keep up to date with the latest research in physical medicine for spinal pain. He has 5 years of hospital experience in China, is currently working in Germany, and had a private practice in Colorado for 6 years. Dr. Trosclair hosts a doctor to doctor interview podcast called ‘A Doctor’s Perspective‘ with over 220 episodes. During his free time he wrote 3 books. Today’s Choices Tomorrow’s Health (rebooting health in 4 categories), a Do-It- Yourself acupressure book for 40 common conditions called Needle-less Acupuncture, and a step by step guide to look like a local for Chinese dinner culture called Chinese Business Dinner Culture. If you have kids, you may be interested in his 6 series tri-lingual animal coloring book series (english, spanish and chinese).