
ABOUT
Radial vs. Focused Shockwave
There are two main types: radial and focused shockwave therapy.
Radial shockwave therapy is designed to spread energy over a larger area, which makes it ideal for treating broader muscle pain and less specific areas of discomfort, like tendinitis or general muscle soreness. The waves in radial therapy disperse as they penetrate, which allows them to treat surface-level and superficial injuries effectively.
Focused shockwave therapy, on the other hand, is more precise and powerful, sending concentrated energy deeper into the body to target specific areas of intense or chronic pain. This type is ideal for conditions like deep-seated tendon or ligament issues, non-union fractures, and stubborn musculoskeletal pain points. By reaching deeper tissue layers, focused shockwave therapy stimulates cell repair and regeneration in a more targeted way, offering relief for more intense or chronic pain conditions.
At Sacramento Shockwave Therapy, we offer FOCUSED shockwave therapy with the Storz Medical Duolith SD1 T-Top and the Piezowave2.


CONDITIONS TREATED
A list of the most common conditions that shockwave therapy has been shown to effectively treat. This list is not comprehensive and continues to grow each year as applications continue to be tested.
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Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy/Partial tear
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Plantar Fasciitis (with or without heel spur)
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Patellar Tendinopathy ("Jumper's Knee")
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High hamstring tendionpathy
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Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome
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Calcifying tendinopathy of the shoulder
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Trigger Finger
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Foot & Ankle Tendinopathies
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Pes Anserine Tendinopathy
For an even more comprehensive list click HERE

EFFECTS OF SHOCKWAVE
There are many effects of focused shockwave therapy, but some of primary ones that stimulate the healing response are listed here:
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Pain Reduction: Shockwave therapy can significantly decrease pain by blocking pain signals sent to the brain. This is achieved through hyperstimulation anesthesia, where nerves are overwhelmed by the shockwave and temporarily cease to transmit pain signals
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Increased Blood Flow: The treatment promotes neovascularization, where new blood vessels form, improving blood supply and oxygenation to the treated area. This enhanced circulation is crucial for initiating and sustaining the repair processes of damaged tissues
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Stimulated Cell Growth: Shockwaves stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, which enhances the repair and regeneration of tissues, including tendons, muscles, and bones.
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Breakdown of Calcific Deposits: In conditions like calcific tendinitis, shockwave therapy effectively breaks down unwanted calcifications, facilitating their absorption by the body and relieving pain.
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Tissue Healing and Regeneration: By releasing growth factors such as eNOS, VEGF, and PCNA, shockwave therapy accelerates tissue repair and encourages regeneration. These factors are critical in forming new connective tissue and enhancing tendon recovery.
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Reversal of Chronic Inflammation: The therapy can normalize the inflammatory response by influencing the activity of mast cells, which are involved in the inflammatory process. This is crucial for healing chronic inflammation in conditions like plantar fasciitis or tennis elbow.
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Collagen Production: Shockwaves trigger the synthesis of collagen, the essential protein needed for repairing damaged musculoskeletal tissues. Properly aligned collagen fibers result in more functional and durable tissues.
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Inhibition of Nociceptors: Shockwaves can decrease the sensitivity of pain receptors, known as nociceptors, which lowers the overall pain sensation in the area.
This is not a comprehensive list of effects.
Model of Mechanotransduction, Wang, Tyrell, Ingbur (Nature Rev 2009)
For a more detailed description of physiological effects, click HERE:
Why ESWT?
There are a number of benefits for choosing ESWT, such as:
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Non-Invasive Outpatient Procedure
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Short Treatments
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Immediate Effects
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Short & Long-Term Results
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Reduces/Eliminates need for pain medications
Did You Know?
ESWT is a multidisciplinary therapy that is used by a number of healthcare providers, including:
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Orthopedists
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Sports Medicine Doctors
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Physical Therapists
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Sports Chiropractors
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Urologists
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Veterinarians
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What should I expect during a Shockwave Therapy session?During your session, ultrasound gel is applied to the painful area, which may be marked beforehand for precision. The focused shockwave applicator is placed over the treatment site and activated. You’ll hear a clicking sound as shockwaves are directed into the area. The intensity will be gradually increased to a slightly to moderately uncomfortable level (about 5/10 on the pain scale). The applicator remains in place until the discomfort reduces to 1-3/10, after which we move to adjacent areas, delivering 2,000–4,000 pulses per treatment site. Shockwave therapy is often combined with treatments like chiropractic adjustments, IASTM (e.g., Graston), cupping, active release technique, or assisted stretching to improve function. We also prescribe rehabilitation exercises to enhance and sustain treatment results at home.
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How many treatments do I need?Normally, 1-2 treatments per week are performed A total of 4-10 treatments may be necessary before lasting improvement is achieved. The number of treatments and the frequency will depend on how acute or chronic your condition is, as well as any potential other health factors (age, pre-existing health conditions, etc.).
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How much does it cost and does insurance cover this?At Sacramento Shockwave Therapy, we believe in providing transparent, highly competitive pricing so you can make the most effective decision about your care. New Patient Evaluation: $160 (40 minutes, which usually includes treatment) If we have determined through the medical history and evaluation that you ARE a candidate for shockwave therapy, the following prices apply: Standard Treatment: $100 (20 minutes) Extended Treatment: $185 (40 minutes) We offer a 6 pack for a discounted rate. If we determine that you ARE NOT a candidate for shockwave therapy, we still have options for you, such as chiropractic manipulation, active release technique, Graston therapy, etc. and the prices will be $15 LESS per treatment. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not reimburse for shockwave therapy at this time.
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Are there any known side effects?Treatment side-effects is limited to mild discomfort at the treatment site during application. That's it! There are little to no side effects of treatment because treatment is just compressed sound waves being dispersed into the body region.
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How do I book an appointment and what do I bring?In order to book an appointment, you can simply follow the link HERE. If you are a new patient, simply click "New Patient Evaluation" to see what days/times we are available. Upon the time of your appointment, please bring comfortable, loose fitting clothing that allows direct skin access to the site of injury/pain. Example: for a shoulder complaint, please wear a tank top.
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How do I know if Focused Shockwave is right for me?Ideal candidates for focused shockwave therapy are those dealing with tendon, bone, or cartilage issues that have lasted for 3 months or longer. The most common and successfully treated conditions include: - plantar fasciitis - achilles tendinopathy - patellar tendinopathy - shin splints - greater trochanteric pain syndrome - golfer/tennis elbow - calcific tendinosis (shoulder) - rotator cuff strains/tears - any chronic tendon dysfunction/pain - osteoarthritis of the foot, knee, hip, shoulder, and spine - Fractures that do not require surgical intervention (delayed/non-union fractures and anatomically aligned fractures, such as the clavicle) Patients who are suffering from issues not listed above should consult the International Society of Medical Shockwave Therapy (ISMST) for a more comprehensive list.
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How long do treatments last?Typical Shockwave Therapy treatments take 10-15 minutes. Adjunctive therapies, such as myofascial release or chiropractic adjustments may take additional time.
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I don't have a science background. Can you break it down for me a little bit more in plain English?A shockwave is essentially a high-energy sound wave, similar to how a speaker produces sound in a specific direction. These sound waves are generated in a cone shape, and at the tip of this “cone,” they converge into a focused point. When we apply the therapy device to the affected area, these sound waves travel through your tissue and target the site of injury or scarring directly. Think of it like a deep tissue massage, but instead of applying pressure through multiple layers of tissue, shockwaves act directly at the injury site. This focused action is why it’s so effective. The mechanical “strumming” of the tissue triggers a range of beneficial effects through a process called mechanotransduction—basically, turning mechanical stimulation into cellular responses. These effects include: • Increased blood flow to the area • Formation of new blood vessels • Production of growth factors for tissue repair • Pain relief by modulating nerve signals • Activation of fibroblasts (cells that create connective tissue) • Recruitment of stem cells to promote tissue regeneration Shockwave therapy helps kickstart your body’s natural healing processes, making it a powerful tool for recovery.
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How many sessions will I need before I will see results?It is very common to experience an improvement in pain on the first visit, although it can take up to 3 visits to feel a notable difference. Typical treatment courses are 6-10 sessions depending on a variety of factors, including intensity of pain, chronicity of injury, complicating factors, age, gender, medications, etc.
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Muscle & TendonGeneral: Myofascial Pain Syndromes Trigger Points Muscle Strains Without Discontinuity (no Grade III Strains) Upper Exremity: Rotator Cuff Strains and Tendinopathy Without Calcifiation Calcifying Tendinopathy of the Shoulder Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylopathy) Tennis Shoulder (Lateral Epicondylopathy) Trigger Finger DeQuervain's Disease Lower Extremity: Plantar Fasciitis (With or Without Heel Spur) Achilles Tendinopathy Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's and Runner's Knee) ITB Syndrome Adductor Tendinopathy Syndrome Pes Anserine Tendinopathy Syndrome Peroneal Tendinopathy Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome Plantar Fibromatosis (Ledderhose Disease)
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NeurologicalCarpal Tunnel Syndrome Piriformis Syndrome Median/Ulnar/Radial Nerve Entrapment Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
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Bone & JointTibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints) Knee, Hip, Shoulder, and Other Joint Osteoarthritis (not metabolic arthritides, i.e. RA or Gout) Non-Union Fractures Stress Fractures Avascular bone necrosis without articular derangement Osteochondritis Dessicans (OCD) without articular derangement Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Apophysitis of the Anterior Tibial Tubercle Delayed Bone Healing (post-trauma) Ligament Sprains

DR. NATE OLIVEIRA, DC
I started Sacramento Shockwave Therapy because I've seen the power of Shockwave help hundreds of patients in my clinical practice. It not only makes an immediate impact on pain levels but it significantly reduces healing timelines and improves clinical outcomes. The Shockwave has been an invaluable asset in creating success for my patients, which is why it's inspired me to bring it to the community at large.
