Shockwave Therapy

Revolutionary Relief for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Living with chronic pain can make it difficult to stay active and enjoy the activities you love. At Avid Sports Medicine in San Francisco, we offer Shockwave Therapy, a cutting-edge solution that taps into your body’s natural healing abilities, without the need for invasive treatments or long recovery times.

Shockwave Therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment designed to restore mobility and reduce pain in the muscles, tendons, and soft tissues. Using a specialized device, we deliver high-energy acoustic waves directly to the affected area, targeting the source of your pain.

These powerful acoustic waves work to:

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Break down scar tissue and calcium deposits

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Stimulate blood vessel growth and tissue regeneration

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Activate your body’s natural repair processes

The result? Faster healing, improved functionality, and significant pain relief, all without complications or downtime.

What conditions does Shockwave Therapy treat?

Shockwave Therapy effectively addresses chronic pain and injuries, including:

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Knee pain

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Ankle injuries

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Plantar fasciitis

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Shoulder pain

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Carpal tunnel

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Tennis elbow

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Wrist injuries

Most patients experience lasting relief in just 3-4 sessions, even for chronic and long standing conditions. Get back to living pain-free with our Shockwave Therapy, a smarter, faster way to heal.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

This advanced therapy provides numerous benefits, making it a top choice for chronic pain relief.

Non-Invasive Treatment: No needles, incisions, or anesthesia required.
Accelerated Healing: Promotes tissue regeneration and reduces inflammation for faster recovery.
Effective Pain Management: Targets the root cause of discomfort, delivering lasting results.
Versatile Applications: Treats a variety of conditions, including tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and IT band syndrome.
Minimal Downtime: Most patients resume normal activities within days of treatment.
Improved Mobility: Restores functionality in joints, muscles, and soft tissues.
Better Circulation: Stimulates blood flow and oxygenation to damaged areas.
Personalized Care: Every treatment plan is tailored to meet your specific needs.

Why Choose Shockwave Therapy

Why Choose Shockwave Therapy Over Traditional Treatments?

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Traditional treatments limitations

Painkillers may provide short-term relief but don’t address the root cause of the pain. Over time, their effectiveness can decrease, and they often come with side effects.
Surgery can be effective but requires months (or even years) of recovery. It’s invasive, costly, and carries risks like infection or complications from tissue damage.

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Shockwave Therapy Solutions

Non-invasive and safe
No downtime or lengthy recovery periods
Targets the root cause of pain for long-lasting results

Physical therapy can help keep you active

Key Healing Responses Activated

Unlike treatments that rely on electrical pulses, Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves delivered directly to the affected areas through a handheld device. These sound waves penetrate deep into tissues, triggering your body’s natural healing processes. Here’s how it helps accelerate recovery:

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Calcium Deposit Breakdown

Chronic injuries can cause calcium buildup that acts like a barrier, preventing proper healing. The acoustic waves break down these deposits, improving access to damaged tissues for recovery.

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New Blood Vessel Formation

Shockwave therapy stimulates microbubbles in the capillaries, which triggers the release of growth factors. This leads to the formation of new blood vessels, improving circulation to the injured area and accelerating repair.

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Reduction of Pain Signals

Shockwave therapy reduces levels of Substance P, a neurotransmitter responsible for activating pain receptors. Lowering its concentration significantly reduces pain in the affected nerves.

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Reversal of Chronic Swelling

The treatment activates mast cells, which release anti-inflammatory substances. This helps reverse chronic swelling and supports tissue regeneration.

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Collagen Production

Collagen is essential for strengthening tendons and stabilizing connective tissues. Shockwave therapy promotes collagen production, helping injured tendons recover faster and grow stronger.

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Metabolic Balance Restoration

Dysfunction in muscle cell calcium pumps can trigger a “metabolic crisis,” causing persistent pain. Shockwave therapy restores normal metabolic function, relieving discomfort and improving muscle health.

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Conditions Does Shockwave Therapy Treat

Shockwave Therapy effectively addresses chronic pain and injuries, including:

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Jumper’s Knee, also known as patellar tendinosis, is caused by repetitive stress on the patellar tendon, often from activities like running or jumping. Overuse causes knee inflammation and pain.

Shoulder Pain

Common causes of shoulder pain include calcifications, impingement syndrome, and injuries to the rotator cuff or shoulder joint. Shockwave therapy targets these areas to reduce pain and restore mobility.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) results from repetitive arm and wrist motions that stress the elbow tendons. Shockwave therapy helps repair these tissues and relieve pain.

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. It’s common in runners and those with tight calves or occupations that require prolonged standing.

Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)

Shin splints occur due to repetitive stress on the shin bone and surrounding tissues. Shockwave therapy promotes healing by reducing inflammation and improving circulation in the area.

Hip Pain, SI Joint Pain, and IT Band Syndrome

Hip pain and SI joint discomfort can result from overuse, injury, or natural wear and tear. Shockwave therapy stimulates tissue repair, addressing pain in the hips, SI joint, and IT band areas.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Chronic pain can make even the simplest activities feel impossible, preventing you from staying active and doing the things you enjoy most. At Avid Sports Medicine, we offer a proven alternative to traditional treatments, Shockwave Therapy, a non-surgical solution that accelerates your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Shockwave Therapy delivers high-energy acoustic waves directly to the areas causing pain. These targeted waves break down scar tissue, encourage new blood vessel growth, and stimulate tissue repair. The result is an accelerated healing process that restores mobility and reduces discomfort without the complications of surgery. Over time, whether you live an active or sedentary lifestyle, your body naturally endures wear and tear. Everyday activities,like walking, bending, or exercising,can gradually strain your joints, tendons, and soft tissues. While some injuries are caused by overuse or sudden trauma, others accumulate quietly over the years, becoming significant sources of pain later in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shockwave Therapy hurt?

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. The intensity of the acoustic waves can be adjusted to ensure your comfort. Any slight tenderness typically subsides shortly after the session.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

While individual cases vary, most patients achieve optimal results within 3 to 5 sessions. The exact number depends on the severity of your condition and your body’s response to the therapy.

When will I notice improvements?

Many patients report significant pain relief after just one session. However, the healing process continues over several weeks as the therapy stimulates tissue regeneration.

What conditions can Shockwave Therapy treat?

It effectively treats a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and more. It’s particularly beneficial for chronic conditions that haven’t responded to other treatments.

Can Shockwave Therapy help with sports injuries?

Absolutely! It’s an excellent option for athletes seeking accelerated healing therapies to get back in the game faster. It promotes rapid recovery by enhancing blood flow and stimulating tissue repair.

Are there any side effects?

Side effects are rare and typically mild, such as slight redness or swelling at the treatment site. These symptoms usually resolve within a few hours to a couple of days.

Do I need to rest after the treatment?

We recommend avoiding strenuous activities for 48 hours post-treatment to allow your body to maximize the healing benefits.

Is Shockwave Therapy covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by insurance provider and plan. Our administrative team can assist you in determining your coverage and discuss financing options if necessary.

How do I know if Shockwave Therapy is right for me?

If you’re experiencing chronic pain or a stubborn injury that’s not responding to traditional treatments, Shockwave Therapy might be the solution. Schedule a consultation with our specialists to evaluate your specific needs.

The Science Behind Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a research-backed treatment that has been proven effective for pain relief, tissue repair, and improved mobility. Here’s what studies reveal about its effectiveness:

FDA Approval and Early Applications

The FDA approved shockwave therapy for treating heel spurs in 2000 and tennis elbow in 2002. Since then, its applications have expanded significantly, offering relief for a variety of chronic pain conditions without the need for invasive procedures.

How Shockwave Therapy Promotes Healing

Research shows that shockwave therapy works by triggering your body’s natural healing responses:

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It promotes cell growth and tissue repair,essential for wound healing.

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The treatment stimulates the release of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

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It enhances blood flow, improves metabolism, and encourages the formation of new blood vessels (neovascularization).

Clinical Results for Chronic Pain and Injury

Studies confirm that shockwave therapy offers measurable and lasting results:

Bone Healing & Stress Fractures:

A study by Leal et al. (2015) found that medium and high-energy shockwave therapy accelerated healing for stress fractures, enabling faster return to athletic activity. Patients reported significantly reduced pain within three weeks, and complete recovery within 12 months.

Tennis Elbow:

In a study on chronic tennis elbow, 90% of patients experienced significant pain relief and improved function after low-energy shockwave treatments (Wang 2002). Outcomes were dramatically better compared to patients who received no treatment.

Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder:

A clinical trial demonstrated that shockwave therapy effectively dissolved calcium deposits in the shoulder, reducing pain and improving mobility. Of patients treated with shockwave therapy:

57.6% achieved complete elimination of calcium deposits
15.1% saw partial elimination
Only 27.3% remained unchanged

Comparatively, those in the placebo group showed minimal improvement, with 83.3% seeing no change (Hsu et al. 2008; Wang et al. 2003).

Patient Success Rates

Research consistently highlights the effectiveness of shockwave therapy:

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Up to 80% of patients worldwide report significant pain reduction and improved function after treatment.

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For hip conditions like osteonecrosis of the femoral head, shockwave therapy has shown promising results, helping patients avoid invasive surgeries like hip replacements.

Ongoing Benefits for Chronic Pain

Studies have also demonstrated that shockwave therapy improves blood flow, restores soft tissue metabolism, and enhances bone quality, making it a potential treatment option for conditions like osteoporosis (Gerdesmeyer et al. 2015).

Why Trust Shockwave Therapy?

With decades of clinical research and success stories, Shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive, effective solution for chronic pain and injuries. It addresses the root cause of discomfort, enhances natural healing, and helps you regain mobility, without surgery, medication, or downtime. Contact us or book a free consult call today!

Avid Sports Medicine Physicians

Dr. Veronica Jow, MD Sports Medicine Physician

About Dr. Veronica Jow

Dr. Jow is the founder and operator of Avid Sports Medicine. She created Avid as a space where patients could receive care for ALL aspects of movement-related injury under one roof. Dr. Jow is a medical doctor who holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and Sports Medicine. While practicing sports medicine for the past 10 years in the Bay Area, she has taken care of the complete range of patients, from elite athletes, as the Associate Team Physician at UC Berkeley, to underserved patients, as a sports medicine specialist in Kaiser Richmond. Read Dr. Jow’s full bio ›

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” Dr. Jow is one of the best doctors I’ve ever come across. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable, but she listens deeply and engages you. She treats you like you’re strong and capable and you feel like you’re in the recovery process together. She knows everything there is to know about medicine, but she respects that you know your sport and your body. And you feel that. “

Sam C.

Shockwave Therapy in San Francisco

Avid Sports Medicine offers Shockwave Therapy to neighborhoods in San Francisco, East Bay, North Bay, South Bay, and The Peninsula.

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Book Your Shockwave Therapy in San Francisco Today!

With Shockwave Therapy at Avid Sports Medicine, you can address the root cause of chronic pain and regain control over your body. Procedures are noninvasive. No lengthy downtime. Just faster healing and a return to the activities you love. Book a Shockwave Therapy at Avid Sports Medicine in San Francisco today.

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