Shockwave Therapy in Naperville
Advanced Healing Technology for Chronic and Acute Pain
It’s never too late to help your body heal. Our advanced shockwave therapy promotes incredible healing for both new and chronic injuries. This state-of-the-art technology releases acoustic sound waves that enter the affected area and break down scar tissue, adhesions, and calcium deposits. As your body gets rid of damaged tissues, it replaces them with new, healthy cells.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy was originally developed in 1971 to break up kidney stones. Since then, this non-invasive therapy has been adapted to use the same method at a gentler frequency for healing damaged tissues throughout the body.
The Technology We Use
At Structure Integrative Healthcare, we use radial (unfocused) shockwave therapy, which is highly effective for superficial and mid-depth soft tissue conditions, including tendon and fascial injuries, trigger points, and chronic pain patterns. This approach delivers acoustic energy across a broader treatment area, making it ideal for the types of musculoskeletal conditions we commonly treat.
How It Works
Shockwave therapy brings healing down to the cellular level through several mechanisms:
- Breaks down damaged tissue: Sound waves target scar tissue, adhesions, and calcium deposits
- Stimulates cellular repair: Causes your body to produce healthy enzymes that repair weak spots in cell walls
- Increases blood flow: Creates a controlled inflammatory response that triggers the release of growth factors
- Rebuilds circulation: Breaks down damaged blood vessels so your body can build new ones, delivering more oxygen to soft tissues
- Restarts healing: Particularly effective for chronic injuries where the healing process has stalled
This intentional inflammatory response is essential for healing—it’s not harmful, but rather a critical part of the regenerative process.
What Conditions Respond Best to Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy can help relieve pain in any joint in the body, including shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. It is appropriate for damage in ligaments, tendons, muscles, and soft tissues.
Conditions With Especially Strong Outcomes
In our clinical experience, we see particularly strong results with:
- Plantar fasciitis: Noticeable improvement within 2-4 weeks
- Chronic tendonitis/tendinopathy: Including Achilles, patellar, and rotator cuff issues (improvement over 4-8 weeks)
- Low back pain: Progressive improvement over several sessions
- TMJ (jaw pain)
- Shoulder, elbow, and hip soft tissue pain
- Scar tissue and fascial restrictions
- Chronic conditions that have not responded to rest, injections, or physical therapy alone
Expected Outcomes
Approximately 70-85% of patients report significant pain reduction and functional improvement, especially when shockwave is combined with appropriate movement, chiropractic care, and soft tissue work. While every patient heals differently, healing continues even after treatment concludes due to ongoing cellular regeneration.
What to Expect: Your Treatment Experience
Initial Assessment
When you first come in, we’ll start with a thorough assessment and examination. It’s important to give an accurate diagnosis before we can build you a customized approach to care. We screen every patient carefully to ensure shockwave is appropriate for their condition and medical history.
Treatment Sessions
Duration: Each session takes 5-10 minutes per treatment area
Sensation: During treatment, the sensation feels like rapid tapping or pulsing. The intensity is adjusted to your comfort level, and you may experience mild discomfort during your visit.
Frequency: Most treatment plans involve 3-6 sessions, spaced about one week apart. Some chronic or complex cases may benefit from additional sessions. We reassess progress regularly and adjust recommendations based on your response.
During Your Appointment
Dr. Cortney will use a handheld device to release mechanical energy into the affected tissue. Please talk with us about what you’re feeling—we can adjust the level of the sound wave to make each appointment as smooth as possible.
After Your Session
Immediate effects: Mild soreness or tenderness is normal and often indicates increased blood flow and tissue response
Activity level: Most patients resume normal activities the same day. We advise avoiding aggressive workouts or heavy loading of the treated area for 24-48 hours.
Timeline for results: Many patients begin noticing improvement within 1-3 sessions, with continued progress over several weeks. Some people notice dramatic results in just one or two sessions, while others may need up to nine appointments for maximum relief.
Is Shockwave Therapy Safe?
Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, drug-free, and backed by extensive clinical research. It uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing at a cellular level. When applied appropriately by trained providers, it is considered very safe with a low risk profile.
Insurance and Pricing
Shockwave therapy is typically a self-pay service, as many insurance plans consider it an advanced regenerative therapy. We offer:
- Transparent pricing with clear costs discussed before treatment begins
- Package discounts when appropriate
- Clear guidance on how shockwave fits into your overall care plan
- No surprises—our team discusses all costs upfront
- Patients love how affordable it is and how quickly it helps them get out of pain.
Comprehensive, Integrated Care
At Structure Integrative Healthcare, shockwave therapy is delivered by experienced doctors who specialize in musculoskeletal, joint, and soft tissue conditions. Our approach focuses on addressing the root cause of pain—not just managing symptoms—and integrating advanced therapies with personalized care plans.
How We Combine Shockwave With Other Therapies
Shockwave is rarely used in isolation. It is most effective when combined with:
- Chiropractic adjustments to improve joint motion and alignment
- Soft tissue work including Active Release Therapy® and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to reduce restrictions
- Movement guidance and corrective exercises to support long-term healing
- Acupuncture when appropriate for pain management
- Kinesio Taping® for ongoing support between sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if shockwave therapy is right for my condition?
What’s the difference between focused and radial shockwave?
How many sessions will I need?
When will I start feeling better?
Can I exercise after treatment?
Why can’t I use ice or ibuprofen after treatment?
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
If you’ve been living with pain, it’s time to turn your life around. At Structure Integrative Healthcare, we find the root cause of pain, discomfort, and dysfunction to help bring you back to maximum health.
Contact us today to schedule your initial assessment and discover if shockwave therapy is the right solution for your needs.
