Focused Shockwave Therapy
Evidence-based acoustic wave treatment for chronic tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, Achilles pain, tennis elbow, and stubborn soft tissue injuries.
What Is Focused Shockwave Therapy?
Focused shockwave therapy, also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy or ESWT, is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic pulses to stimulate healing in injured tissue. Originally developed to break up kidney stones, shockwave has been adapted for musculoskeletal medicine and is now one of the most evidence-supported treatments for chronic tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and stubborn soft tissue conditions.
Focused shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic pulses deep into injured tissue, stimulating cellular repair, breaking down fibrotic scar tissue, and triggering new blood vessel growth. The result is real structural change at the tissue level, not just temporary symptom relief. For chronic conditions that have not responded to rest, stretching, or injections, shockwave therapy frequently produces the results that passive care alone cannot.
At Function Performance Sport Chiropractic in Oregon City, we use focused shockwave therapy as part of a full, integrated treatment plan. It is a powerful tool, but it works best when paired with skilled manual therapy and progressive loading.
The Science of Faster Tissue Recovery
How It Works
During a shockwave session, a specialized device delivers focused acoustic pulses through the skin into the targeted tissue. The waves trigger a cascade of biological responses in the treated area, including:
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- Increased blood flow and new capillary formation
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- Collagen remodeling and new tissue growth
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- Breakdown of fibrotic scar tissue and calcific deposits
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- Reduction of chronic inflammation
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- Reset of sensitized pain receptors
The body’s natural healing response is essentially restarted in tissue that has stalled in a chronic state.
Conditions That Respond Well
Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for chronic tendinopathies and soft tissue conditions that have not responded to rest, stretching, or passive care. These include:
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- Plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain
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- Achilles tendinopathy, both insertional and mid-portion
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- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
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- Patellar tendinopathy and jumper’s knee
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- Gluteal tendinopathy and hip-related pain
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- Calcific tendinitis in the shoulder
If you have had pain for more than six weeks without improvement, shockwave is often the right next step.
What to Expect
Each session takes about ten minutes of actual treatment time. You may feel a deep, intense sensation during application, but this subsides as soon as the device is removed. Most patients tolerate the treatment well and resume normal activity the same day.
A typical plan is three to six sessions spaced about one week apart. Significant improvement is usually noticeable within the first two or three sessions, with continued progress over the following weeks as tissue remodels.
Why Shockwave Works Best With Rehab
Shockwave stimulates healing, but the tissue that regrows needs to be progressively loaded to become strong and resilient. We pair every shockwave plan with targeted rehab so the tendon that heals is actually capable of meeting the demands you place on it.
Book your performance evaluation today and find out whether focused shockwave therapy is the right fit for your condition.
What we Can Treat with
Focused Shockwave Therapy
Restore your mobility and find lasting relief. Focused Shockwave Therapy is a proven solution for managing the following conditions:
Break the Cycle of Chronic Tendon Pain
Stubborn tendinopathy does not resolve with rest. Shockwave therapy gives your body the stimulus it needs to actually heal.
The Benefits of Focused Shockwave
Shockwave therapy is one of the most well-researched non-surgical tools for chronic tendon conditions. Here is what makes it stand out.
Book Your Performance Evaluation Today
Find out whether shockwave therapy is the right fit for your condition. Start with a thorough evaluation.
Common Questions About Focused Shockwave Therapy
A specialized device delivers focused acoustic pulses through the skin into the targeted tissue. These pulses trigger a controlled micro-injury that stimulates blood flow, collagen production, and the body’s natural healing response, breaking down scar tissue and restoring function.
Most patients describe the sensation as intense but tolerable during the brief treatment window. Any discomfort resolves quickly once the session ends, and many people feel significantly better within a day or two.
Most chronic tendon conditions respond within three to six sessions, spaced about a week apart. We reassess at each visit and adjust based on how your tissue is responding.
No. TENS and ultrasound deliver much lower energy and target surface-level tissue and nerves. Focused shockwave delivers high-energy acoustic waves deep into the tissue, producing real structural change that the other modalities cannot.
Meet the Team
Our Chiropractic Sports Physicians combine advanced soft tissue training with progressive rehab so you move better, perform better, and live better.
Certifications and Therapy
Why Choose Function Performance?
Trained and Focused Application
Our providers are trained to identify who shockwave will help most, and to apply it at the correct dose and location. Not every tendon pain responds the same way.
Paired With Progressive Rehab
Shockwave works best when paired with progressive loading. We build tendon capacity to match the stimulus so results last long after treatment ends.
Honest About What It Can Do
Shockwave is powerful, but it is not a magic bullet. We will tell you honestly whether it fits your case, and what realistic outcomes to expect.
We don’t do cookie-cutter massage. We tailor everything to you.
