Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and restore optimal tissue function. Using focused acoustic sound waves, shockwave stimulates metabolic activity at the cellular level — increasing blood flow, breaking down scar tissue and calcifications, and triggering your body’s natural regenerative processes.

At Align, we integrate shockwave therapy as part of a comprehensive, hands-on treatment approach. Sessions are performed by licensed clinicians who combine this technology with manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and targeted exercise based on your movement patterns and goals. The result: faster recovery, improved mobility, and long-term tissue health.

Most patients describe shockwave therapy as deeply therapeutic — intense but tolerable, and highly effective when paired with proper movement retraining and strength programming.

What Shockwave Helps Treat

Shockwave is clinically supported for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, especially those involving tendon irritation, tissue degeneration, or poor blood flow. Common conditions we treat include:

  • Plantar fasciitis / heel pain

  • Achilles tendinopathy

  • Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)

  • Rotator cuff tendinitis & shoulder pain

  • Gluteal tendinopathy

  • Biceps or triceps tendinopathy

  • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

  • Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)

Chronic Pain and Overuse Conditions

  • IT band syndrome

  • Hamstring strain or tendinopathy

  • Shin splints

  • Calf strain & tightness

  • Hip flexor strain

  • Chronic muscle tension/trigger points

Calcifications and Scar Tissue

  • Calcific tendinitis

  • Adhesions and chronic scar tissue

  • Post-injury tissue stiffness

If you’ve tried rest, stretching, massage, or traditional PT without lasting improvement — shockwave may help accelerate your progress.

What to Expect

  • 5–10 minute treatment as part of a full session

  • Mild discomfort during treatment (should never be unbearable)

  • Increased circulation immediately post-session

  • Most people feel improvement in 3–6 sessions, though some experience relief sooner

  • No downtime — you can resume normal activities after treatment

We pair shockwave with manual therapy and customized exercise to help you build stronger, healthier tissue — not just temporary relief.

Who Benefits Most

You may be a good candidate if:

  • You have chronic tightness, tendon pain, or reduced mobility

  • Pain returns after massage, stretching, or chiropractic work

  • Your injury is affecting walking, running, or training

  • Traditional PT hasn’t fully resolved your symptoms

  • You’re looking for a non-surgical, drug-free solution

Shockwave may not be appropriate for individuals with certain medical conditions or who are pregnant — our clinicians will evaluate during your initial assessment.

Build Strength, Not Just Relief

True healing doesn’t end with pain reduction — it requires restoring load tolerance and healthy movement patterns. At Align, shockwave therapy is integrated within a complete rehabilitation and strength program so you can feel better and move better long-term.

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