What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate the body's natural healing response in damaged or painful soft tissue. The acoustic waves improve blood flow to the targeted area, reduce localized pain, and promote tissue repair, without surgery, injections, or downtime.
It is commonly used for musculoskeletal conditions involving tendons, fascia, and soft tissue, particularly in cases where symptoms have persisted despite rest, exercise, or other conservative treatments. Conditions treated include plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, calcific shoulder tendinitis, hip and knee pain and many others.
Shockwave therapy is especially well-suited for chronic presentations, where the tissue has failed to heal on its own and needs a targeted stimulus to restart the repair process.
How We Deliver Shockwave Therapy at Superior Physical Therapy
At Superior Physical Therapy, Keely Behning uses electromagnetic focused shockwave therapy, delivered using a Storz device, one of the clinical-grade systems used by institutions including the Mayo Clinic and professional sports organizations of the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Timberwolves. Focused shockwave delivers acoustic energy precisely to the affected tissue, making it particularly effective for structures like the achilles tendon or plantar fascia.
Keely's background as a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist means shockwave therapy is applied as part of a broader clinical picture, not in isolation. Treatment is informed by a thorough assessment of the condition, movement patterns, and contributing factors, so the intervention targets the root issue rather than the symptom alone.
What to Expect from a Shockwave Therapy Session
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Return to Activity
What Shockwave Therapy Can Help You Achieve
Reduced pain in the treated area: Most patients report a meaningful decrease in pain within two to three sessions, including conditions that had not improved with other approaches.
Improved tissue healing: Shockwave stimulates increased blood flow and cellular repair activity in damaged tissue, supporting recovery in structures that are slow to heal on their own.
A non-surgical path forward: For patients managing chronic tendon or fascial pain, shockwave therapy offers a clinically supported option that avoids the risks and recovery time associated with injections or surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shockwave Therapy
Most conditions respond well to three to six sessions depending on the chronicity, spaced approximately one week apart. Some patients notice improvement after the first session, while others see cumulative results over the course of treatment. We will assess your response and adjust the plan accordingly.
Superior Physical Therapy operates out-of-network. Shockwave therapy is not typically covered by insurance plans. Many patients use HSA or FSA funds. As we are out-of-network, treatment decisions are based on your clinical needs rather than coverage limitations. Contact us for current session pricing.
It is most effective for chronic tendon and fascial conditions, including plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, tennis elbow, and calcific shoulder tendinitis. It is particularly useful when symptoms have persisted beyond three months and have not fully resolved with rest or exercise.
Most patients describe the sensation as a pulsing achy sensation during treatment. Temporary soreness in the area is not uncommon in the first day or two after a session, which typically resolves quickly. The level of discomfort varies depending on the area being treated and the sensitivity of the tissue.
Focused shockwave delivers energy to a precise point deeper in the tissue, making it more effective for structures like the plantar fascia or achilles tendon. Radial shockwave disperses energy across a broader, shallower area. The Storz device used at Superior PT delivers focused electromagnetic shockwave, the same technology used in clinical and professional sports settings.
Book a Shockwave Therapy Appointment
We are now accepting new patients at Superior Physical Therapy in Mendota Heights.
If you have a tendon or soft tissue condition that has been slow to resolve, shockwave therapy may be an appropriate next step. Book online or contact the clinic to discuss whether this treatment is right for you.
