Non-invasive relief for stubborn, chronic pain. No surgery, no medication.
Shockwave Therapy uses focused sound waves that reach deep into soft tissue. It boosts circulation, breaks up scar tissue and calcium buildup, and jumpstarts your body's natural healing.
It's especially effective for pain that hasn't responded to rest, ice, stretching, or insoles. Many patients notice a difference after just a few sessions.
Shockwave works best on long-standing soft-tissue pain: the heel, tendon or muscle problem that keeps coming back.
Shockwave is designed for chronic soft-tissue problems, not brand-new injuries or torn ligaments. If your injury is recent, or a tear is possible, your doctor checks first and starts you on the care that fits best, whether that's chiropractic care, decompression or massage.
"I had terrible plantar fasciitis and tried exercise, ice and insoles. Nothing worked. I felt a difference after the first treatment and the pain was totally gone after five treatments. I can now walk without pain. Thank you Dr. Ring!"
DOROTHY S."I've been suffering from plantar fasciitis for over 20 years. I've tried everything and couldn't get rid of it. But now I've received five treatments and noticed considerable pain relief. Thank you so much, Dr. Ring!"
CHRIS H."I've got intense chronic pain and tightness in my Achilles. The pain has been so intense. I'm amazed by how much the pain decreased after just one treatment of shockwave, though."
SHERI C."It doesn't swell up nearly as much as it used to (and has for years!) The discoloration is gone. I can also flex my ankle more than I could previously."
LESLIE G.Foothills uses radial shockwave, the same type tested in these published clinical trials.
In a 245-patient trial for chronic plantar fasciitis, three radial shockwave sessions cut heel pain scores by 72%, compared with 45% for placebo, at 12 weeks. Results were even stronger at 12 months, with no relevant side effects.
Gerdesmeyer et al., Am J Sports Med, 2008 (PubMed)In a 68-patient trial for chronic Achilles pain, adding shockwave to a home exercise program raised the share of patients who were "completely recovered" or "much improved" at 4 months from 56% to 82%.
Rompe et al., Am J Sports Med, 2009 (PubMed)In a 90-patient trial for calcium deposits in the shoulder tendons, radial shockwave reduced pain and improved shoulder function after 4 weeks, and the deposits fully cleared in 87% of treated patients.
Cacchio et al., Physical Therapy, 2006 (PubMed)Shockwave treats the soft tissue. Paired with adjustments and decompression, it addresses the whole problem and helps prevent flare-ups.
You'll feel a firm thumping as the treatment head moves over the sore area, and very little over healthy tissue. We aim for a moderate pressure, around a 5 on a scale of 10, and can always go lighter. Some patients feel a little sore afterward, much like after a deep-tissue massage, and it settles quickly.
About 15 minutes. Plan on about 30 minutes for your first visit so your doctor can examine the area and talk through your plan.
Most patients need 4 to 8 visits. Many feel a difference within the first few. Your doctor will set your plan at your first visit.
Yes. There's no downtime. Most patients walk out and go right back to their day.
Yes, and many patients do. Shockwave works on the soft tissue while adjustments, decompression and massage support the joints and muscles around it. See "Even Better Together" above.
Yes. Many patients start before they leave and finish their visits when they're back in town. Call us and we'll plan around your dates.
Medicare covers chiropractic spinal adjustments only, so shockwave is not a Medicare-covered service. Call us at 480-488-1282 and we'll go over your options and current rates.
Dr. Jeffery Ring and Dr. Gail Shriner both provide shockwave therapy.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have sudden severe pain, numbness, weakness or a new injury with major swelling, seek urgent care.
Tell us when works best and we will call you to confirm, usually within one business day. In a hurry? Call 480-488-1282.
Please don't include medical details in the comment box. We'll ask about your health when we call.
