If you are suffering from chronic pain, whether it’s the sharp morning steps of plantar fasciitis, the nagging ache of tennis elbow, or chronic back and knee issues, the conventional treatment path often fall short. Ice, rest, ibuprofen, and cortisone shots frequently act as temporary “band-aids,” masking the pain without addressing the underlying cause.
Modern regenerative medicine offers a different approach. Instead of just blocking pain signals, why not stimulate the body to repair the damaged tissue that is causing the pain?
This is the promise of Focused Shockwave Therapy! It is a non-invasive, highly advanced technology used by top medical clinics and professional sports teams globally to accelerate healing in injured tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Dr. Hanson in Tampa, FL is so excited to bring this ground breaking medical technology to Tampa for you!
This guide will explain what focused shockwave is, how it works, the conditions it treats, and, crucially, the timeline you should expect for true tissue healing.
What is Focused Shockwave Therapy?
Despite the intense name, shockwave therapy does not involve electrical shocks. It utilizes high-energy acoustic (sound) waves.
Think of it like this: When a supersonic jet breaks the sound barrier, it creates a physical wave of energy that can rattle windows miles away. Focused shockwave technology harnesses similar acoustic energy but concentrates it into a precise beam aimed directly at damaged tissue deep inside the body.
How It Works: The Science of “Mechanotransduction”
The magic of focused shockwave lies in a biological process called mechanotransduction. This is a fancy way of saying that the physical force of the sound waves is converted into vital biological cell signals.
When these acoustic waves penetrate damaged tissue (like a scarred tendon or an inflamed fascia), they create microscopic stress on the cells. The body perceives this micro-stress as a “wake-up call” that the area needs immediate attention.
This triggers a cascade of powerful healing responses:
- Increased Blood Flow (Angiogenesis): The waves stimulate the formation of new capillaries (tiny blood vessels), bringing vital oxygen and nutrients to areas that usually have poor circulation (like tendons).
- Breaking Down Scar Tissue: Chronic injuries often involve fibrotic, disorganized scar tissue. The acoustic energy physically helps break down these calcifications and scar tissue, allowing healthy tissue to regrow.
- Pain Reduction: It overstimulates nerve fibers responsible for pain, leading to an immediate, though temporary, reduction in pain signals (an analgesic effect).
- Stem Cell Activation: It recruits the body’s own mesenchymal stem cells to the area to begin rebuilding structural tissue.
The 12-Week Regenerative Timeline: Managing Your Expectations
This is the most critical part of understanding shockwave therapy. Because shockwave is stimulating true biological healing rather than just numbing pain, the results are not instantaneous. It is a process, not an event.
Based on clinical data, here is what happens beneath the surface over the 12 weeks following your start of therapy.
PHASE 1: The Priming Phase (Weeks 0–1)
“The Wake-Up Call”
Immediately after your first treatments, the biological engines are ignited.
- What’s happening inside: Your body releases powerful signaling molecules (like eNOS and VEGF) that tell the body to start building new blood vessels. Micro-circulation improves almost immediately, laying the groundwork for healing.
- What you feel: Many patients feel immediate improvement in range of motion and a decrease in pain due to the anti-inflammatory effects of the treatment.
- Crucial Warning: Do not mistake this early relief for a total cure. Your tissue has not structurally healed yet. You must avoid overloading the area to prevent re-injury.
PHASE 2: Molecular Acceleration (Weeks 1–4)
“The Construction Crew Arrives”
The biological cascade gains momentum. Cellular activity is at its peak as the body rushes resources to the injured site.
- What’s happening inside: Cellular turnover is high. The body is actively clearing out damaged cells and preparing the foundation for new tissue.
- What you feel: You may have ups and downs in pain levels during this phase as the tissue becomes active. This is normal.
- Your Role: Rehabilitation strategies during this stage should focus on movement but must protect the healing tissue from overload.
PHASE 3: Neovascularization & Early Remodeling (Weeks 4–8)
“Rebuilding the Structure”
Vascular and cellular changes become measurable.
- What’s happening inside: Capillary ingrowth is visible; new blood supply has been established. Metabolic activity is high as the body begins structurally remodeling and reshaping the injured tendon or muscle tissue.
- What you feel: Pain generally continues to decrease, but the underlying tissue is still fragile. It is vital to stick to the activity modifications provided by your clinician.
PHASE 4: Regeneration & Stabilization (Weeks 8–12+)
“True Healing Realized”
Long-term healing begins to stabilize. This is when true tissue regeneration—not just inflammation control—becomes apparent.
- What’s happening inside: The new blood vessel network is established. Studies show improved structural integrity in bone, tendon, and ligament tissue during this phase. The tissue is stronger and more resilient.
- The Outcome: This is where patients typically see long-term, sustainable resolution of their condition.
Conditions Treated with Focused Shockwave
We utilize focused shockwave for stubborn, chronic musculoskeletal conditions that have failed to respond to other therapies.
1. Plantar Fasciitis & Foot Pain
Plantar fasciitis is notoriously difficult to treat because the fascia has poor blood supply. Shockwave is considered one of the gold-standard treatments for chronic cases.
- The Goal: Break down scar tissue and stimulate new blood vessel growth in the thickened fascia.
- Success Rates: Numerous studies show success rates between 70% and 85% for chronic plantar fasciitis, even in cases present for years.
2. Tendinopathies (Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow, Achilles, Hamstring)
Chronic tendon pain (tendinopathy) is not just inflammation; it is a degeneration of the collagen fibers. Shockwave is uniquely suited to restart the healing process in these stalled injuries.
- Common Areas: Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), high hamstring tendinopathy (pain sitting or running), and Achilles issues.
- The Goal: Stimulate collagen restructuring and improve load-bearing capacity.
3. Knee Pain (Patellar Tendinitis & Osteoarthritis)
Shockwave is highly effective for “Jumper’s Knee” (patellar tendinitis). Furthermore, emerging research shows focused shockwave can reduce pain and improve function in knee osteoarthritis by targeting the subchondral bone and surrounding soft tissue inflammation.
4. Low Back and Hip Pain
While not a cure for a herniated disc, shockwave is incredibly effective for the soft-tissue components of back and hip pain.
- Applications: Treating myofascial trigger points in the lower back (knots that won’t release), and Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)—severe pain on the outside of the hip.
What to Expect During Treatment
A common question is, “Does it hurt?”
Focused shockwave is often described as “comfortably uncomfortable.” As the applicator passes over healthy tissue, you feel very little. When the focused waves hit the damaged, inflamed area, you will feel a distinct ache or thumping sensation.
This feedback is crucial—it helps us identify the exact source of your pain. We adjust the intensity to a level that is therapeutic but tolerable for you.
The Treatment Protocol
Because tissue healing is a cumulative process (as seen in the 12-week timeline), a single session is rarely enough.
- Frequency: Treatments are typically administered once a week.
- Number of Sessions: The average protocol requires 3 to 6 sessions, depending on the severity and duration of the condition. Some chronic conditions may require a few more.
- Downtime: There is no downtime. You are encouraged to stay active with guided movement and stretching, but you must avoid high-impact or overloading activities while the tissue is in the regenerative phases.
Summary: Why Choose Focused Shockwave?
Focused shockwave therapy is a paradigm shift in pain management. It moves away from symptom suppression and toward long-term biological repair.
- It treats the root cause: It initiates actual tissue regeneration.
- It is non-invasive: No needles, no surgery, no drugs.
- It is backed by science: Decades of research support its efficacy for soft tissue and bone healing.
If you are tired of chasing symptoms and want to address the underlying structure of your pain, focused shockwave therapy may be the solution you have been waiting for.
Contact Dr. Hanson’s clinic at 813-534-0311 to schedule a consultation to see if you are a candidate for this regenerative therapy. We are currently offering an initial Pain Mapping Session where we help discover what tissue(s) are causing your pain and see how you respond to Focused Shockwave to ensure you are a good candidate for treatment!