Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

What Is It?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Shockwave therapy — formally known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) — is an advanced medical technique that utilizes high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body's natural healing processes in damaged or degenerated tissue.

Originally developed to treat kidney stones, ESWT has evolved into a highly effective, non-surgical treatment for a wide range of chronic musculoskeletal conditions that have failed to respond to conventional therapy.

How Does It Work?

Specialized equipment generates calibrated acoustic waves that are directed at the problem area. When these waves impact tissue, they produce a controlled amount of microtrauma that:

• Triggers the body's natural repair and regeneration response
• Increases blood circulation to the treatment area
• Stimulates collagen production for tendon repair
• Breaks down calcification deposits
• Reduces substance P — a key pain mediator in chronic conditions
• Improves tissue metabolism and reduces inflammation

Conditions Treated

• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Tennis elbow & golfer's elbow
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Rotator cuff tendinitis & calcific deposits
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
• Chronic low back pain
• Hip flexor & gluteal tendinopathy
• Shin splints & tibial stress syndrome
• Frozen shoulder
• Myofascial trigger points

What to Expect

Each ESWT session at ChiroFit Miami lasts approximately 10–20 minutes. The treatment applicator is applied to the skin over the affected area with gel. You may feel a tapping or pressure sensation during treatment — this is completely normal and indicates the waves are reaching the target tissue.

Most patients require 3 to 6 sessions spaced 1 week apart. Many experience significant pain reduction after just the first 2–3 treatments, with continued improvement over the following weeks.