Living with chronic pain or an injury can be frustrating, especially when traditional treatments don’t bring the relief you need. That’s where shockwave therapy comes in, a proven, non-invasive treatment designed to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. At Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, we offer advanced shockwave options, including SoftWave® technology, to help our patients recover faster and return to the activities they love.
Shockwave therapy works by delivering focused sound waves to affected tissues, triggering increased blood flow, cell regeneration, and repair at the injury site. Unlike surgery or long-term medication use, this treatment is safe, targeted, and minimally disruptive to your daily life.
Among the available options, SoftWave® shockwave therapy stands out for its precision and effectiveness. This advanced technology allows us to target deeper tissues without discomfort, improving outcomes for a wide range of conditions.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, sometimes called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), originally emerged in the 1980s as a treatment for kidney stones, using high-energy sound waves to break up the stones non-invasively. Over time, clinicians discovered that similar sound wave technology could be applied to musculoskeletal conditions, helping to stimulate healing in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues.
Today, shockwave therapy is widely used in physical therapy and sports medicine for its ability to promote natural recovery. The treatment works by delivering focused acoustic waves to the affected area, triggering a series of biological responses:
- Pain relief: Shockwaves can disrupt pain signals and reduce chronic discomfort.
- Improved circulation: The therapy stimulates blood flow to injured tissues, delivering nutrients and oxygen needed for healing.
- Tissue repair and regeneration: By promoting cellular activity and collagen production, shockwave therapy supports the repair of tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
With these benefits, shockwave therapy offers patients a non-invasive, drug-free, and surgery-free alternative for treating chronic pain and injuries, making it an increasingly popular choice for people looking to get back to their daily activities faster.
Meet SoftWave Therapy: An Advanced Form of Shockwave
How Does SoftWave Work?
- Increased blood flow: Improved circulation delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to damaged tissues.
- Reduced inflammation: SoftWave therapy helps calm chronic inflammation, a common source of pain and stiffness.
- Tissue regeneration: The acoustic waves activate cellular repair mechanisms, promoting the growth of healthy new tissue.
Conditions Treated with SoftWave Therapy
SoftWave therapy is versatile and effective for a wide range of conditions, making it an excellent option for both orthopedic and pelvic health concerns. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:
Orthopedic Injuries
- Tendinitis – inflammation of tendons in the shoulder, elbow, or knee.
- Plantar fasciitis – heel pain caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia.
- Joint pain – including discomfort in the shoulder, elbow, and knee.
Pelvic Health Conditions
- Pelvic pain – chronic discomfort affecting men and women.
- Postpartum recovery – supporting tissue healing and function after childbirth.
- Erectile dysfunction – improving blood flow and tissue regeneration in men.
- Chronic inflammation – reducing long-standing inflammation that causes persistent pain.
- Scar tissue and fibrosis – breaking down dense tissue to restore mobility.
- Sports injuries – accelerating recovery from strains, sprains, and overuse injuries.
Benefits of SoftWave Therapy
SoftWave therapy offers numerous advantages that make it an attractive option for patients seeking effective, non-invasive treatment:
- Non-invasive and drug-free: Works with your body’s natural healing mechanisms without introducing drugs or requiring incisions.
- Faster healing and improved mobility: Stimulates tissue regeneration and enhances blood flow for quicker recovery.
- Reduced pain: Chronic discomfort from injuries, inflammation, or pelvic health issues can be significantly alleviated.
- Minimal downtime: Allows you to continue your daily activities with little to no interruption.
Integration with Physical Therapy
At Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, SoftWave therapy is never a standalone quick fix. Instead, it is fully integrated into each patient’s personalized physical therapy plan to maximize results and support long-term recovery.
Here’s how SoftWave enhances traditional physical therapy:
- Pain reduction: Alleviating discomfort allows patients to fully engage in therapeutic exercises.
- Enhanced healing: Increased circulation and tissue regeneration improve the outcomes of manual therapy and other hands-on treatments.
- Support for long-term recovery: Combined with individualized strength training, mobility exercises, and patient education, SoftWave therapy helps prevent reinjury and promotes lasting improvements.
What to Expect During a Session
A SoftWave therapy session at Beyond Basics Physical Therapy is straightforward, comfortable, and tailored to your needs:
- Consultation: Review of your medical history, assessment of the affected area, and discussion of your goals.
- Gel application: A conductive gel is applied to ensure the sound waves penetrate effectively.
- SoftWave treatment: Using a handheld device, therapeutic waves are delivered to the targeted tissue. Sessions typically last 10–20 minutes.
Sensation during treatment: Most patients feel a gentle tapping or pulsing. Discomfort is minimal, and intensity can be adjusted for comfort.
Treatment schedule: Typically 2–3 sessions per week for several weeks, depending on your condition and response.
Common Questions About SoftWave Therapy
Does it hurt?
Most patients describe the sensation as mild tapping or pulsing, with minimal discomfort.
How many sessions are needed?
Typically, 2–3 sessions per week for several weeks, personalized based on your condition and response.
How soon will I feel the results?
Some notice improvements after the first few sessions, while full benefits develop over several weeks as tissue repair progresses.
Are there side effects?
SoftWave therapy is generally safe. Minor temporary effects may include redness, mild swelling, or tingling at the treatment site, which usually resolve within a day or two.
Why Choose Beyond Basics Physical Therapy for SoftWave Therapy
Choosing the right clinic can make all the difference. At Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, we combine advanced technology with expert, patient-centered care:
- Leading experts in pelvic health and orthopedics
- Over two decades of evidence-based care
- Specialized training and personalized, one-on-one attention
- Integration with physical therapy and holistic rehabilitation for long-term healing
We don’t just treat symptoms; we address the root causes of pain, helping you recover fully and maintain your results.
Shockwave therapy is a proven, non-invasive treatment, and SoftWave® represents the next evolution in this technology. By combining advanced acoustic wave therapy with personalized physical therapy, Beyond Basics Physical Therapy helps patients reduce pain, improve mobility, and achieve long-term healing without surgery or medication.
If you’re curious about whether SoftWave Therapy is right for you, schedule a consultation with Beyond Basics Physical Therapy today. Our expert clinicians will assess your needs and create a customized plan to help you recover safely and effectively.
