Book Your ShockWave Therapy Appointment in Cincinnati Today
If you are dealing with stubborn pain, tendon issues, or a sports injury that will not heal, shockwave therapy in Cincinnati offers a non-surgical, drug-free path back to normal life. This advanced treatment uses targeted sound waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing response in damaged tendons, ligaments, muscles, and fascia.
Unlike injections or surgery, shockwave therapy is performed in the office, takes minutes, and typically lets you return to normal activity the same day. Many patients choose it when months of rest, physical therapy, or medications have not provided lasting relief.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy or ESWT) is a noninvasive treatment that delivers high‑energy acoustic or pressure waves through the skin into painful or poorly healing tissue. These waves create mechanical and biological changes that help restart the healing process in areas that have become “stuck” and chronically painful.
In clinical settings, providers use focused, radial, or unfocused devices—such as EPAT and SoftWave systems—to treat musculoskeletal conditions. SoftWave is a newer unfocused form of shockwave that treats a broader area with lower peak intensity, which many patients find more comfortable while still promoting tissue regeneration.
How Shockwave Therapy Works in Your Body
Shockwave therapy helps chronic pain by triggering several scientifically studied effects inside the tissue.
Key mechanisms include:
- Pain signal reduction
- Decreases levels of pain‑related neuropeptides, reducing how strongly the nervous system perceives pain in the treated area.
- Tissue regeneration and remodeling
- Stimulates collagen production, breaks down degenerative scar tissue, and can help resolve calcified deposits in tendons or fascia.
- Improved blood flow and metabolism
- Enhances circulation and cellular metabolism, bringing oxygen and nutrients needed for healing into chronically irritated tissue.
- Activation of healing cells
- Promotes activity of stem cells and growth factors that support formation of healthier tendon, ligament, and bone tissue.
Because it targets the underlying biology of chronic injury, shockwave therapy is often effective even when traditional rest, stretching, or basic physical therapy have failed.
What to Expect During a Shockwave Therapy Session
A typical shockwave therapy treatment at Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati is quick and is performed without needles or incisions.
Here is what most patients experience:
- Targeted evaluation
- Dr. Faith examines the painful area, reviews imaging or prior treatments, and identifies the exact structures to be treated.
- Preparation of the treatment area
- A conducting gel is applied to the skin to help transmit the acoustic or pressure waves efficiently.
- Application of shockwaves
- A handheld applicator is moved slowly over the painful region while the device delivers pulses of energy.
- Treatment is just 5–10 minutes.
- Sensation during treatment
- Most patients describe the feeling as rapid tapping, pressure, or a deep vibration in the tissue rather than sharp pain.
- The intensity can usually be adjusted in real time based on your comfort.
- After your session
- There is typically no downtime—you can usually walk out of the office and continue regular daily activities right away.
Most treatment plans involve a series of sessions—commonly 4-8 visits.
– Ava Elizabeth
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy
Patients in Cincinnati choose shockwave therapy because it combines strong clinical results with convenience and safety.
Key benefits include:
Is Shockwave Therapy Safe?
Shockwave therapy has been studied extensively in orthopedics, sports medicine, and podiatry and is considered safe when performed by trained clinicians using FDA‑cleared equipment.
Common, short‑term side effects can include:
- Temporary soreness, bruising, or redness at the treatment site
- Mild swelling or stiffness that resolves within a few days
Serious complications are rare, especially compared with surgical procedures. Your provider will review your medical history and any medications to ensure that shockwave (or SoftWave) is appropriate.
Shockwave vs SoftWave and Other Technologies
Not all “shockwave” devices are identical, but they share the same goal of delivering mechanical energy to stimulate healing.
Here is how common technologies compare:
| Technology type | Typical use cases | Key characteristics | Evidence and usage notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focused ESWT | Deep tendon, bone, or highly localized lesions | Delivers concentrated energy to a small focal point, often at higher intensities | Widely studied for chronic tendon disorders and bone conditions, often used in orthopedic practices |
| Radial/EPAT | Broader soft-tissue problems such as plantar fasciitis or diffuse heel pain | Uses pressure waves that radiate outward from the applicator, covering a larger surface area | Common in podiatry and sports clinics, typically well tolerated and effective for many foot and ankle issues |
| SoftWave (unfocused) | Larger treatment zones, complex or multi‑site tendon and fascial pain | Unfocused shockwaves treat a wider volume of tissue with lower peak energy per point | Designed to stimulate regenerative processes over a broader area; integrates well with holistic rehab programs |
The best device for you depends on your diagnosis, pain pattern, and tolerance. A clinician familiar with multiple systems can recommend the most appropriate approach for your specific case.
Why We chose SoftWave Therapy at Simply Well Chiropractic
Simply Well Chiropractic chose SoftWave Therapy because it aligns with our core goal: give patients the most effective, least invasive path back to pain‑free movement. We see a large number of people who have “tried everything”—rest, orthotics, injections, even surgery consults—yet are still dealing with chronic heel, knee, hip, or tendon pain. SoftWave’s technology gives us a way to restart healing in those stubborn tissues without adding more drugs, downtime, or risky procedures.
SoftWave delivers unfocused shockwaves over a broader treatment area, which means we can address not just a single painful point, but the entire chain of dysfunctional tissue around it. That fits our whole‑body, movement‑based approach to care. It also tends to be more comfortable than many traditional focused shockwave devices, so patients tolerate treatment better and are more likely to complete a full care plan.
We also chose SoftWave because the science supports its use for chronic musculoskeletal problems, and it integrates seamlessly with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue work, and rehab exercises. In other words, it amplifies what we already do well. By combining SoftWave with precise diagnosis and customized corrective care, we can help patients move from “managing pain” to genuinely healing and getting back to the activities they love.
Meet Your Cincinnati SoftWave Provider
Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC – SoftWave Therapy Specialist in Cincinnati
SoftWave Therapy at Simply Well Chiropractic is provided by Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, a licensed chiropractor and SoftWave Therapy specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Faith earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2022.
She holds Ohio chiropractic license (DC-05144).
Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC, integrates her SoftWave Therapy training and chiropractic license with her education background to deliver SoftWave treatments that are both clinically informed and patient-centered.
Dr. Faith has helped hundreds of Cincinnati patients overcome chronic pain with SoftWave Therapy and chiropractic care.
Instead of a high‑volume, assembly‑line approach, Dr. Faith offers patient‑centered, evidence‑informed treatment plans tailored to your condition, lifestyle, and goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Shockwave Therapy?
Good candidates for SoftWave tissue regeneration therapy are individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, soft tissue injuries, or slow-healing wounds who want a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to surgery. It is ideal for patients with conditions like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, tendonitis, or arthritis, as well as athletes seeking faster recovery from injuries.
- Chronic Pain Sufferers: Individuals dealing with long-term pain in the back, neck, shoulders, knees, or feet.
- Musculoskeletal Injury Patients: Those with tendonitis, ligament damage, muscle strains, or bursitis.
- Athletes and Active Individuals: Those looking to recover quickly from overuse injuries and improve mobility.
- Patients Avoiding Surgery: Individuals looking for a non-surgical, non-invasive approach to healing.
- Those with Chronic Conditions: Individuals suffering from arthritis, degenerative joint conditions, or neuropathic pain.
- People with Stubborn Injuries: Patients who have not found relief through physical therapy, injections, or medications.
While safe for most, this therapy may not be suitable for those with active infections, active cancer, blood-clotting disorders, or who are pregnant. It is crucial to consult a certified SoftWave provider for a personalized assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy
discover if shockwave Therapy Right for You
Request your shockwave therapy evaluation at Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati and find out if this non‑surgical, drug‑free treatment is right for you. Call our office now or click below to schedule your first appointment.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC
Ohio Chiropractic License: DC-05144 | Palmer College of Chiropractic
Founder, Simply Well Chiropractic, Cincinnati