Cortisone Injections vs. Shockwave Therapy: Which Works Better for Pain Relief?

A Sacramento Shockwave Therapy Guide for Tendon Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, and Chronic MSK Injuries

If you’ve been searching for “shockwave therapy near me” or “plantar fasciitis treatment near me,” you’ve likely come across two common options: cortisone injections and shockwave therapy (ESWT).

Both are widely used—but they work very differently, and the long-term results aren’t the same. Here’s a concise breakdown to help you choose the best treatment.

What Cortisone Injections Do (and Don’t Do)

Cortisone injections reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief. They’re often used for:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Tennis/golfer’s elbow

• Shoulder bursitis

• Knee arthritis

• Hip bursitis

While cortisone can make pain disappear quickly, it:

• Does NOT repair tissue

• May weaken tendons with repeated use

• Often provides temporary relief (weeks to months)

• Can delay true healing

Many patients report their pain returning after the numbing effect wears off.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to trigger your body’s natural healing response. It comes in two forms:

• Radial Shockwave (rESWT): Best for superficial soft-tissue injuries like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and muscle tightness.

• Focused Shockwave (fESWT): Targets deeper structures such as chronic tendon pain, calcific deposits, and even bone healing.

Shockwave promotes real, lasting healing by:

• Improving blood flow

• Stimulating collagen production

• Breaking up scar tissue & calcifications

• Reducing chronic inflammation

• Improving tissue load tolerance

Sessions take 10–20 minutes and require zero downtime.

Cortisone vs. Shockwave Therapy: Quick Comparison

1. Pain Relief

   1. Cortisone: fast but temporary

   2. Shockwave: steady, long-lasting improvement

      
      

✔ Winner: Shockwave

2. Healing

   1. Cortisone: reduces inflammation but doesn’t repair tissue

   2. Shockwave: stimulates actual tissue regeneration

✔ Winner: Shockwave

3. Side Effects & Safety

   1. Cortisone: tendon weakening, tissue thinning, elevated blood sugar, recurrence

   2. Shockwave: mild soreness or redness for 24–48 hours

✔ Winner: Shockwave

4. Return to Activity

   1. Cortisone: activity restrictions for several days to weeks

   2. Shockwave: resume activity same day

✔ Winner: Shockwave

Why Shockwave Should Be Your First Choice

For conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, lateral epicondylitis, and calcific shoulder tendonitis, research shows that shockwave outperforms cortisone at 3–12 months.

Patients choose shockwave because it:

• Addresses the cause, not just symptoms

• Has no downtime

• Works for chronic, stubborn injuries

• Is extremely safe

• Supports long-term tissue health

Pairing Shockwave With Other Therapies (Best Results)

At Sacramento Shockwave Therapy, we often combine ESWT with:

• Sports chiropractic

• Corrective exercise & PT-style rehab

• Active Release Technique (ART)

• IASTM / myofascial therapy

This integrated approach supports both tissue healing and improved biomechanics—leading to stronger, more durable results.

When Cortisone May Still Have a Role

Cortisone can be helpful if:

• Pain is too intense to begin rehab

• You need quick relief for a specific event

• There is acute, severe inflammation

But even then, it should be used sparingly and strategically.

Final Verdict

• Choose Cortisone if you want:

  • Immediate short-term relief

  • Temporary inflammation reduction

• Choose Shockwave Therapy if you want:

  • Long-term tissue healing

  • Non-invasive, drug-free treatment

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  • No downtime

  • Better mobility, strength, and function

FAQs

• Is shockwave therapy safe?

  • Yes—side effects are minimal and temporary.

• When will I feel results?

  • Most people notice improvements within 1–3 sessions.

• Does it help plantar fasciitis?

  • Absolutely. It’s one of the most studied and effective treatments.

• Is it covered by insurance?

  • Shockwave therapy is typically not covered at this time by insurance companies

Ready to Try Shockwave Therapy?

If you’re tired of pain returning after injections or medications, shockwave therapy may be the solution you’ve been searching for.

📍 Serving Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, and surrounding areas.

🔗 Learn more or book an appointment at SacramentoShockwaveTherapy.com

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