Regenerative Medicine

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves (shock waves) in targeted areas to penetrate and stimulate cell repair and regenerative healing in injured tissues.

With a portable, handheld device, the attached probe can be angled and pressured to deliver the right amount of shock waves. This technique promotes blood flow, reduces inflammation, and treats pain and conditions affecting tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues to activate the body’s natural healing responses.

ESWT sessions last approximately 10 to 15 minutes, and three to five sessions over several weeks are needed to achieve the benefits. At each session, the goal is to feel a bit of discomfort, using the area of pain to guide the treatment. The painful and inflamed injury is targeted so the shock waves can promote the healing response and process.

There are two types of ESWT:

  • Focused Shock Wave Therapy: High-energy waves target deeper tissues
  • Radial Shock Wave Therapy: Lower-energy waves are dispersed over a wider area for surface tissues 

Conditions We Treat with ESWT

ESWT can be used for conditions that have not responded well to other treatments, including:

  • Plantar fasciitis: Chronic heel pain due to inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament
  • Tendinopathies: Chronic tendon injuries, such as those of the Achilles tendon, elbow (tennis or golfer’s elbow), shoulder, or patellar tendon
  • Calcific tendinitis: Calcium deposits in the shoulder tendons, causing pain and inflammation in other tendons.
  • Bone injuries: Fractures, shin splints, or cartilage damage due to overuse, stress, or repetitive motions.
  • Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sac that cushions joints
  • Myofascial pain syndrome: Chronic pain in muscles and surrounding connective tissue.
  • Joint pain: Pain in the joints due to osteoarthritis or arthritis.

Why Choose Columbia?

The regenerative medicine specialists at Columbia provide experienced and compassionate care to help you heal faster and more completely. ESWT is minimally invasive—which means fewer side effects with no downtime—and has shown promising and effective results for chronic conditions. Rehabilitation is different for everyone. At ColumbiaDoctors, we are with you every step of this journey. ESWT, in conjunction with our tailored home exercise program or physical therapy, helps increase flexibility, strength, and range of motion. We aim to make this comprehensive and competitively priced approach accessible so you can focus on feeling your best.