Radial Shockwave Therapy in Chiropractic, Benefits, Uses, and What to expect

Radial Shockwave Therapy in Chiropractic: Benefits, Uses, and What to Expect

Radial shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, evidence-based treatment used in chiropractic care to reduce pain, promote healing, and improve mobility. Commonly used in orthopedics and sports medicine, radial shockwave therapy helps patients recover from chronic pain and stubborn injuries when other treatments have fallen short.

What Is Radial Shockwave Therapy?

Radial shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic sound waves delivered through a handheld device to targeted areas of the body. These waves stimulate tissue healing by increasing circulation, activating the body’s natural repair processes, and improving tissue quality. Because it is non-invasive, shockwave therapy requires no surgery, injections, or downtime.

How Radial Shockwave Therapy Promotes Healing

Radial shockwave therapy works by increasing blood flow to injured tissues, delivering oxygen and nutrients essential for healing. It also stimulates collagen production, which is critical for repairing tendons, ligaments, and fascia. Additionally, shockwave therapy can reduce pain by decreasing nerve sensitivity, allowing patients to move more comfortably during rehabilitation.

Conditions Treated with Radial Shockwave Therapy

Radial shockwave therapy at Benton Chiropractic Clinic is commonly used to treat chronic and overuse injuries, including:

Common Conditions Treated

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

• Patellar tendinopathy

• Shoulder tendinopathies

• Hip pain and gluteal tendinopathy

• Chronic muscle tightness and trigger points

Benefits of Radial Shockwave Therapy.

One of the biggest benefits of radial shockwave therapy is faster recovery. By stimulating healing at the tissue level, patients often experience reduced pain and improved mobility in fewer visits. Treatments are short, typically lasting only a few minutes, and can be easily added to a standard chiropractic session.

Shockwave therapy is also effective at breaking down chronic scar tissue and calcifications that limit movement and cause pain, making it especially helpful for long-standing or recurring injuries.

What to Expect During a Radial Shockwave Therapy Session

During treatment, Dr. Benton applies gel to the targeted area and uses a handheld device to deliver the shockwaves. Patients often describe the sensation as tapping or pressure. While it may be mildly uncomfortable, intensity is adjusted to ensure the treatment is tolerable and effective.

Most treatment plans include multiple sessions over several weeks, depending on the condition and individual response.

Why Radial Shockwave Therapy Works.

Radial shockwave therapy is most effective when combined with a personalized therapy program. Shockwave therapy prepares the tissue for movement, while therapeutic exercise, chiropractic adjustments, and patient education address strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. This comprehensive approach helps create long-lasting results and reduces the risk of pain returning.

Is Radial Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

Radial shockwave therapy may be a great option if you’re dealing with chronic pain, tendon injuries, or conditions that have been slow to heal. Dr. Benton can assess your condition and determine whether radial shockwave therapy is appropriate for your treatment plan.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive, research-supported way to reduce pain and get back to moving confidently, radial shockwave therapy may be the solution.

References

1. Speed, C. (2014). Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy in the management of chronic soft-tissue conditions. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British Volume), 96-B(2), 170–176.

2. Gerdesmeyer, L., et al. (2008). Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(11), 2100–2109.

3. Schmitz, C., Császár, N. B. M., Milz, S., Schieker, M., Maffulli, N., & Rompe, J. D. (2015). Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for orthopedic conditions: A systematic review. British Medical Bulletin, 116(1), 115–138.

4. Rompe, J. D., Furia, J., & Maffulli, N. (2009). Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic tendon disorders. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(3), 463–470.

5. Wang, C. J. (2012). Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 7(11).

6. Dedes, V., et al. (2018). Effectiveness and safety of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy for musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review. Physiotherapy Research International, 23(2).