How Shockwave Therapy Works: What Happens Inside Your Body During Treatment
- Tim St. Onge
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Quick Summary
Shockwave Therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. Research shows that shockwave therapy may improve blood flow, increase collagen production, stimulate healing cells, reduce pain signals, and help damaged tissues repair themselves. It is commonly used for plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, hip pain, knee pain, Achilles tendinopathy, and chronic back pain.
At Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, Missouri, we use advanced Shockwave Therapy to help patients reduce pain and improve function without relying solely on medications or injections.
About the Author
Dr. Tim St. Onge, DC
Dr. Tim St. Onge is a chiropractor and Acoustic Wave Specialist at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, Missouri.
He is a graduate of Parker University and has completed extensive training in Shockwave Therapy and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Dr. Tim has helped thousands of patients suffering from chronic back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and tendon injuries.
He is also an instructor with Shockwave Academy of Excellence and regularly teaches healthcare providers how to effectively implement Shockwave Therapy into clinical practice.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
If you've been dealing with chronic pain, you've probably tried a variety of treatments.
You may have rested, stretched, taken medications, received injections, or gone through physical therapy.
Yet the pain continues.
One reason is that some injuries stop healing properly.
Shockwave Therapy is designed to stimulate the body's natural healing processes by delivering acoustic sound waves into injured tissues.
Unlike treatments that simply mask symptoms, Shockwave Therapy may help activate the biological processes involved in tissue repair.
What Happens Inside Your Body During Shockwave Therapy?
When shockwaves enter the tissue, several important healing processes begin.
Your Cells Receive a "Wake-Up Call"
The acoustic waves create mechanical stimulation inside the tissue.
Researchers call this process mechanotransduction.
Mechanotransduction occurs when cells convert physical forces into biological signals.
In simple terms, Shockwave Therapy tells your body:
"This area still needs healing."
Research has shown that shockwave therapy activates cells involved in tissue repair and regeneration.
Blood Flow Increases
Many chronic injuries have poor circulation.
Without adequate blood flow, injured tissues struggle to receive the oxygen and nutrients needed for healing.
Research has demonstrated that Shockwave Therapy may stimulate the formation of new blood vessels through a process called angiogenesis.
Improved circulation helps deliver:
Oxygen
Nutrients
Growth factors
Healing cells
This is one reason patients often continue improving after their treatment plan has ended.
Growth Factors Are Released
Shockwave Therapy stimulates the release of growth factors that help coordinate tissue repair.
Research has shown increased expression of:
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS)
Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGF-β1)
These signaling molecules help support:
Tissue repair
Cell regeneration
Blood vessel growth
Healing responses
Collagen Production Increases
Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of tendons, ligaments, fascia, and connective tissues.
Chronic injuries often involve damaged or disorganized collagen fibers.
Research suggests that Shockwave Therapy stimulates fibroblast activity and collagen production.
This may help tissues become:
Stronger
More organized
More resilient
Pain Signals Are Reduced
Many patients notice improvements before complete tissue healing occurs.
Research suggests that Shockwave Therapy may reduce levels of pain-related chemicals such as:
Substance P
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)
These chemicals help transmit pain signals to the nervous system.
Reducing these pain signals may help improve comfort and movement.
Why Does Shockwave Therapy Continue Working After Treatment?
One of the unique benefits of Shockwave Therapy is that the healing process continues after treatment sessions have ended.
Unlike treatments that only provide temporary symptom relief, Shockwave Therapy stimulates biological repair processes.
Many patients continue noticing improvements for weeks or months because:
New blood vessels continue developing
Tissue remodeling continues
Collagen production continues
Healing cells remain active
The treatment starts a healing cascade that can continue long after the appointment is over.
What Conditions Can Shockwave Therapy Help?
Research supports the use of Shockwave Therapy for many musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Foot and Ankle Conditions
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendinopathy
Shoulder Conditions
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Calcific Tendinitis
Elbow Conditions
Tennis Elbow
Golfer's Elbow
Hip Conditions
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Knee Conditions
Patellar Tendinopathy
Knee Osteoarthritis
Spine Conditions
Chronic Low Back Pain
Chronic Neck Pain
The Bottom Line
Shockwave Therapy works by stimulating the body's natural healing response.
Research suggests it may help:
✓ Improve blood flow
✓ Increase collagen production
✓ Stimulate healing cells
✓ Promote tissue repair
✓ Reduce pain signaling
✓ Improve movement and function
Rather than simply covering up symptoms, Shockwave Therapy helps encourage the body to heal damaged tissues.
If you've been struggling with chronic pain and have not found lasting relief, Shockwave Therapy may be worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy
Is Shockwave Therapy painful?
Most patients describe Shockwave Therapy as mildly uncomfortable but very tolerable. Treatment intensity can be adjusted based on the condition being treated and patient comfort.
How many Shockwave Therapy treatments will I need?
Most treatment plans involve between 5 and 8 sessions depending on the condition, severity, and how long symptoms have been present.
How long does it take for Shockwave Therapy to work?
Some patients notice improvements after the first treatment. Others experience gradual improvement over several weeks as tissue healing occurs.
Is Shockwave Therapy safe?
Shockwave Therapy has been extensively studied and is considered safe when performed by trained providers using appropriate protocols.
Does Shockwave Therapy help chronic injuries?
Research suggests Shockwave Therapy may be particularly beneficial for chronic tendon, ligament, fascia, and musculoskeletal conditions that have not responded to other treatments.
Does insurance cover Shockwave Therapy?
Coverage varies by insurance carrier and plan. Many patients choose Shockwave Therapy because it is non-surgical and may help them avoid more invasive procedures.
References
Chen YJ, Wang CJ. Biological Response of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Tendinopathy. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2022.
Hatanaka K, Ito K, Shindo T, et al. Molecular Mechanisms of the Angiogenic Effects of Low-Energy Shock Wave Therapy. American Journal of Physiology. 2016.
Simplicio CL, Purita J, Murrell W, et al. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Mechanisms in Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. 2020.
Frairia R, Berta L. Biological Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Waves on Fibroblasts. Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal. 2012.
Ryskalin L, Biagioni F, Busceti CL, et al. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Pain-Relieving Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. Life. 2022.
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Individual results vary. Not all shoulder conditions are candidates for Shockwave Therapy, and some injuries may require additional medical evaluation or surgical consultation. A thorough examination is necessary to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
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