For patients experiencing chronic pain due to musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions, Valley’s Integrative Medicine team offers Radial Shockwave Therapy, a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to reduce pain, stimulate healing and support tissue regeneration.
What is Shockwave Therapy and How Does it Work?
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, simply referred to as shockwave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. During treatment, a handheld shockwave therapy device uses compressed air to generate acoustic pressure waves that are delivered to targeted tissues. This, in turn, helps increase blood flow, stimulate cellular activity and facilitate the development of collagen. Over time, treatment can help reduce inflammation, improve mobility and support the repair of damaged or chronically injured tissues.
Types of Shockwave Therapy
- Radial: Delivers lower-energy pressure waves across a broader treatment area
- Focused: Concentrates higher-energy waves on specific tissues deeper beneath the skin
Valley currently offers radial shockwave therapy with plans to offer focused shockwave therapy in the near future.
Conditions Treated with Radial Shockwave Therapy
Radial shockwave therapy can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions, including:
- Tendon disorders and chronic tendon pain
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff conditions
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Hip and knee pain
- Neck and back pain
- Soft tissue injuries
- Muscle tightness and trigger points
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- General muscle aches and pain disorders
We customize our treatment plans based on your condition, tissue sensitivity, personal treatment goals and stage of healing.
Who Is a Candidate for Radial Shockwave Therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy is an effective treatment option for a wide range of patients, 16 years of age and older, who are experiencing musculoskeletal pain or chronic soft tissue conditions. During your initial consultation, we will review your medical history and any contraindications to determine whether this treatment is right for you.
What to Expect with Radial Shockwave Therapy at Valley
Your care begins with a comprehensive consultation and evaluation with one of our specially-trained chiropractic physicians Lori Nuzzi, DC, Director of Integrative Medicine, and Christina Markar Khawam, DC. They will assess your condition, discuss your treatment goals and determine whether you are a good candidate.
Physician-Led Treatment
Unlike many facilities where treatment may be performed by medical assistants or technicians, at Valley, every session is administered and closely monitored by our physicians who have advanced training and expertise in shockwave therapy and musculoskeletal care. Because treatment is provider-led, our doctors can make real-time adjustments throughout each session based on your symptoms, comfort level and response to treatment. They also incorporate movement and functional assessment during treatment, guiding joints and tissues through their full range of motion to ensure all affected areas are addressed.
Advanced Shockwave Technology
Valley uses the most advanced system with STORZ MEDICAL compressor technology, widely recognized as the gold standard in shockwave therapy treatment. The device includes adjustable pressure and speed settings, as well as specialized treatment heads called transducers, to tailor treatment to each individual, from highly active athletes to patients with more sensitive tissues.
What is the Typical Timeline for Treatment?
Shockwave therapy is typically performed once or twice a week, with most treatment sessions lasting 15 minutes or less. Despite its short duration, the treatment delivers targeted energy to the affected area, stimulating the body's natural healing processes. This means that even a brief appointment can help promote recovery, improve function and support long-term therapeutic benefits.
At Valley, we use standardized outcome measures to track progress and assess improvements in pain and function throughout your treatment course. While many patients achieve their initial treatment goals after six sessions, additional treatments may be recommended to maximize results. The exact number of sessions will vary depending on your condition, how long symptoms have been present and your personal treatment goals.
Is Shockwave Therapy Painful?
Shockwave therapy is well-tolerated by most patients. Side effects, which are typically mild and resolve quickly, include:
- Mild soreness or discomfort
- Redness or skin irritation
- Temporary swelling
- Mild bruising
- Sensitivity in the treated area
Benefits of Radial Shockwave Therapy
Radial shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive approach to treating musculoskeletal pain and chronic soft tissue conditions. By stimulating the body's natural healing processes, the treatment can help reduce pain, improve circulation and support the repair and regeneration of injured tissues.
Benefits include:
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Improved mobility, function and quality of life
- Enhanced blood flow, collagen production and tissue healing
- Minimal downtime, with treatment sessions typically lasting 20 minutes or less
- Personalized treatment tailored to your individual condition, symptoms and goals
- Can be used alongside other treatments and therapies, including physical and rehabilitative therapy
Schedule an Appointment
Radial shockwave therapy is available through Valley’s Integrative Medicine practice, with locations in Ridgewood and Montvale. No physician referrals are needed to begin treatment.
To schedule an appointment or to learn more, call 201-746-9389.
