Shockwave Therapy
Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy | Dr. Steven Rash, DC | Denver, CO
Radial Shockwave Therapy: Cutting-Edge Healing for Stubborn Pain
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ARE YOU READY?
After years of helping Denver patients move better and feel better, we’re excited to bring one of the most evidence-backed innovations in musculoskeletal care to Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy. If you’ve been dealing with chronic tendon pain, heel pain, or a nagging injury that just won’t respond to conventional treatment — shockwave therapy may be exactly what your body needs to finally turn the corner.
WHAT IS RADIAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY?
Radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers rapid, high-energy acoustic pressure waves to injured or painful soft tissues through a handheld applicator placed directly on the skin. Unlike surgery or injections, there’s nothing entering your body — just targeted mechanical energy working at the tissue level.
So how does it actually help? Your body has a remarkable ability to heal, but chronic injuries can get “stuck” in a cycle where normal healing stalls out. Shockwave therapy interrupts that cycle through a process called mechanotransduction — it essentially signals your tissues to kick-start a fresh healing response. This triggers increased circulation, the formation of new blood vessels, the release of growth factors, and a reduction in pain-signaling substances at the site of injury. In calcific conditions (like calcific shoulder tendinitis), the acoustic waves can also help physically break down calcium deposits, allowing the body to reabsorb them.
The result is a treatment that doesn’t just mask your pain — it works to address what’s driving it.
WHAT DOES SHOCKWAVE THERAPY WORK BEST FOR?
Radial shockwave therapy has one of the strongest and most rapidly growing evidence bases of any conservative musculoskeletal treatment. A 2023 narrative review published in Healthcare confirmed solid evidence supporting its use across a wide range of conditions, with several indications achieving the highest (Level 1+) evidence rating (Castaño-Ortiz et al., Healthcare, 2023).
Here’s what the research shows for the most common conditions we treat:
🦶 Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
Plantar fasciitis is one of the strongest and most well-established indications for shockwave therapy. Multiple high-quality trials and systematic reviews show significant improvements in pain and function. A 2023–2024 body of research consistently found that patients receiving RSWT experienced greater pain reduction, improved foot function, and even measurable changes in plantar fascia thickness on imaging — outperforming corticosteroid injections in mid-term follow-up with far fewer risks (Castaño-Ortiz et al., Healthcare, 2023; Gerdesmeyer et al., Am J Sports Med, 2008).
💪 Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis
Calcific shoulder tendinitis — where calcium deposits form within the rotator cuff — is one of the conditions with the highest level of evidence for ESWT (Level 1+). Shockwave therapy has been shown to reduce pain, improve shoulder function, and facilitate the resorption of calcium deposits. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that ESWT effectively relieves pain across all major types of upper limb tendinitis, with radial ESWT performing particularly well (Xiong et al., Front. Med., 2024).
Shockwave is great for other types of shoulder pain as well! Click to learn more.
🎾 Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Tennis elbow is a common, often frustrating overuse injury. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that ESWT significantly reduced pain in lateral epicondylitis at both 3- and 6-month follow-ups, with radial ESWT showing particular effectiveness (Xiong et al., Front. Med., 2024).
🏃 Achilles Tendinopathy
Both mid-portion and insertional Achilles tendinopathy respond well to shockwave therapy. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis (Charles et al., Front. Immunol., 2023) found meaningful benefits for pain and function, and research has shown that combining RSWT with an eccentric loading program can produce superior outcomes — helping patients get back to the activities they love.
🦵 Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
Common in athletes who run, jump, or squat heavily, patellar tendinopathy can be one of the most persistent knee conditions to treat. The research supports shockwave therapy as an effective option for reducing pain and improving function, particularly in chronic cases (Charles et al., Front. Immunol., 2023; Castaño-Ortiz et al., Healthcare, 2023).
🍑 Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (Hip / Gluteal Tendinopathy)
This often-overlooked condition causes pain on the outer hip and can significantly limit daily activity. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in JBJS Reviews — from researchers at Harvard Medical School/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital — found that shockwave therapy provided significantly lower pain scores compared to other treatments at 2–4 months follow-up, making it a compelling option for patients who haven’t responded to exercise therapy or injections (Rhim et al., JBJS Rev., 2024).
Note: While shockwave therapy has a growing evidence base across many conditions, Dr. Rash will always review your history and examination findings to determine whether RSWT is appropriate for your specific situation.
WHAT TO EXPECT: YOUR SHOCKWAVE THERAPY VISIT
We want you to feel informed and comfortable every step of the way. Here’s what a typical visit looks like at Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy:
Before Your First Session Dr. Rash will review your health history, examine the affected area, and discuss your symptoms and goals. We’ll make sure shockwave therapy is the right fit for you and answer any questions you have before we begin.
During Treatment A small amount of gel (similar to ultrasound gel) is applied to the skin over the treatment area. The handheld applicator is then moved over the area, delivering controlled pulses of acoustic energy. Most patients describe the sensation as a rhythmic tapping or mild pressure — some areas may feel more sensitive than others, and that’s completely normal. Each session typically takes only 5–10 minutes on the treatment site.
After Your Session You may experience mild soreness or temporary redness at the site — this is a normal sign that your body’s healing response has been activated. Most patients can return to their regular activities right away. We’ll give you any specific guidance based on your condition and how you respond.
Treatment Plan Most patients at Elevate Sport & Spine complete 3 to 5 sessions, with 1 to 2 weeks between each visit — this spacing allows your body time to respond and heal between treatments. At each follow-up, Dr. Rash will check your progress and discuss whether additional sessions are indicated. Every patient is different, and we’re here to guide you through the process.
INVESTMENT IN YOUR HEALTH
At Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy, we believe cutting-edge care should be accessible. We do our best to offer competitive rates for all of our services — please visit our booking site for the current per-session rate for shockwave therapy.
A NOTE FROM DR. RASH
“After researching the capabilities of shockwave therapy and seeing the results it produces, I knew this was something I needed to offer our patients here in Denver. Whether you’re a competitive athlete dealing with a stubborn tendon injury or someone who’s just trying to get back to your daily walks without heel pain, I’m excited to have this tool available for you. We’re committed to staying at the forefront of evidence-based care, and shockwave therapy is a genuine step forward.”
— Dr. Steven Rash, DC | Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is shockwave therapy painful? Most patients tolerate treatment well. You’ll typically feel a rhythmic tapping or pressure sensation, and some tenderness over the treated area is normal — especially in the first session. Discomfort during treatment generally decreases as your condition improves over subsequent visits. If at any point the pressure is too intense, just let us know and we’ll adjust.
How many sessions will I need? Most patients complete 3 to 5 sessions, spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart. Dr. Rash will evaluate your progress throughout your plan and discuss whether further treatment is needed. Some patients notice improvement after just one or two sessions; for others, the benefits build progressively.
How soon will I see results? Some patients notice improvement within a few days of their first session. For others — especially those with chronic or long-standing injuries — meaningful change builds over the course of the full treatment plan. The biological healing process that shockwave therapy stimulates continues in the weeks after your final session, so don’t be discouraged if progress feels gradual.
Are there any side effects? Side effects are generally mild and short-lived. The most common are temporary soreness, mild redness, or slight swelling at the treatment site — all signs that the body’s healing response is active. Serious adverse effects are rare. We’ll discuss your individual health history to ensure shockwave therapy is safe for you.
Who should NOT receive shockwave therapy? Shockwave therapy is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally not recommended for patients who are pregnant, have a blood clotting disorder or are on anticoagulant medications, have an active infection or open wound at the treatment site, have a pacemaker, or have been diagnosed with cancer in or near the treatment area. Dr. Rash will review your health history thoroughly before beginning any treatment.
Can shockwave therapy be combined with chiropractic care? Absolutely — and in many cases, combining approaches produces better outcomes than either therapy alone. Research supports the use of shockwave therapy alongside rehabilitative exercise and other conservative treatments. Dr. Rash will develop a plan that makes sense for your whole situation, not just the painful spot.
Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance? Coverage varies widely by plan, and shockwave therapy is not universally reimbursed by insurance carriers. We encourage you to check with your provider. Regardless of coverage status, we work hard to keep our rates competitive — please check our booking site for current pricing.
How do I get started? Simply book an appointment through our online booking site or give us a call. We’ll start with a thorough evaluation to make sure shockwave therapy is right for you, and go from there.
READY TO FEEL THE DIFFERENCE?
If you’ve been living with pain that hasn’t responded to rest, stretching, or other treatments, it may be time to try something that works at a deeper level. Radial shockwave therapy at Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy is safe, non-invasive, and backed by a growing body of clinical evidence.
Book Your Appointment, or Call/Text Us Today at 720-263-0594
Elevate Sport & Spine Therapy | Denver, CO
REFERENCES
- Castaño-Ortiz JM, et al. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Narrative Review. Healthcare. 2023;11(21):2830. doi:10.3390/healthcare11212830
- Charles R, Fang L, Zhu R, Wang J. The effectiveness of shockwave therapy on patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Immunol. 2023;14:1193835. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1193835
- Xiong Y, Wen T, Jin S, et al. Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for upper limb tendonitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front. Med. 2024;11:1394268. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1394268
- Rhim HC, Shin J, Beling A, et al. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. JBJS Rev. 2024;12(8). doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.24.00091
- Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, et al. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(11):2100-9.