Shockwave Therapy in San Ramon, CA

Are you ready to say pain in your heel, shoulder, elbow, goodbye? If you live in San Ramon or the Tri-Valley area, you're in luck! Shockwave therapy might be the answer for you. Pain could be brewing in the tissues around your body for many reasons, but luckily, there's an effective method to help your body heal – naturally! Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates has combined one of the most advanced therapeutic techniques with the best caregivers in the area to treat you, not just your symptoms.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). It is a revolutionary treatment that started out being used for kidney stones but is now prevalent in rehabilitating orthopedic injuries and common ailments treated by physiotherapists and sports medicine doctors.

It sounds worse than it is. The device administers acoustic waves into injured tissue, stimulating microtrauma. Your body responds by kicking off healing protocols:

• Blood flow to the affected region increases
• Helps activate stem cells – no surgery required
• Natural collagen production starts to repair damaged tissue
• Helps clear calcific build-up and scar tissue
• Helps interrupt pain signals

Shockwave therapy is perfect for anyone who has tried rest, ice, stretching and hasn't seen any results.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Help Relieve

Plantar Fasciitis

Millions of people suffer from this painful heel condition and traditional methods fail to provide lasting relief. One of the reasons this condition is so hard to heal is because micro calcifications develop in the plantar fascia over time. Our therapy breaks up these calcifications and degenerative tissue while stimulating new collagen production.

Runner's / Achilles Tendinopathy

Runners are notorious for getting Achilles injuries that just don't seem to go away. You know the one, you rest for months but that dull ache just doesn't let up. This is because the Achilles has one of the lowest amounts of blood supply to heal itself. Shockwave therapy increases blood flow to promote healing at a cellular level.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow affects the outer elbow and is caused by repetitive motions like gripping. Despite its name, most people who develop tennis elbow don't actually play tennis. If you work at a desk or garden as a hobby, you can get tennis elbow too. Shockwave therapy directly targets the inflamed tendon and damaged tissue where it attaches to the outer elbow.

Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis

Similar to plantar fasciitis, calcium deposits build up in the shoulder and cause severe pain. The best part about shockwave therapy is that it literally shatters these deposits so your body can easily reabsorb them. It also promotes healing in the affected tendon.

Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee)

Any type of sport or activity that involves squatting, running or jumping puts you at risk for this condition. Just like with the Achilles tendon, the healing isn't stimulating enough to create healthy, new tissue. Think of shockwave therapy like a jump start for your injury.

Your Experience During & After Treatment

Your Experience

Shockwave therapy doesn't hurt, but you do feel pressure and slight discomfort during treatment. Here's what you can expect during your session:

1. An ultrasound gel is applied to the affected area (it's the same gel they use for pregnancy ultrasounds.)
2. The therapist will find the most painful area and place the head of the device on top.
3. The acoustic waves are emitted and you will feel consistent tapping/thumping
4. Each treatment lasts about 10-15 minutes and ranges from mild discomfort to moderate, depending on the condition being treated.

After Treatment

Immediately after your treatment, patients often experience what feels like relief from the pain. Nerve endings have been overstimulated, providing a temporary analgesic effect. After 24-48 hours you may experience some soreness as the healing process begins. This is normal and to be expected.

Follow these pain relieving tips after treatment:

• Take it easy for 24-48 hours-no running or high impact workouts
• Walk as normal and do light stretching
• Stay hydrated
• Return for follow up treatments as recommended (typically once a week for 3-5 sessions)

Your body needs time to heal between treatments. Just as it takes time for your body to kick off inflammation and begin healing, it also needs time to respond to the treatment!

Meet The Ironhorse Method

Not all shockwave therapy clinics are created equal. That's why we don't just offer shockwave therapy, we offer a method. Here at Ironhorse Physical Therapy & Pilates we combine the best of rehabilitation and recovery to help treat you, not just your symptoms.

Manual Therapy + Shockwave

Our certified therapists don't just sit you down for a treatment and walk away. Each patient's injuries are accompanied by muscle tension, and joints that have lost mobility. Our therapists take the time to address these issues using manual therapy, so when you receive your shockwave treatment, you are in the best position for optimal healing.

Mix Pilates into the Equation

Ironhorse is known for our Pilates methodology. When it comes to pain, rarely is your injury isolated to just one area. Take for example plantar fasciitis. Your heel is in pain, but what if your hips are weak or your core is unstable? These are common root causes of heel pain. We use shockwave to heal your tissue and Pilates to correct your movement.

San Ramon's Premier Shockwave Therapy Clinic

Located in San Ramon, Ironhorse serves the Tri-Valley area including Dublin, Pleasanton and so much more. If you're looking for top of the line, professional care at an affordable price, look no further. Book your shockwave therapy appointment in San Ramon today to start living pain free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will insurance cover shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy isn't covered by insurance at this time. Although it is an out-of-pocket expense, think of how much money you'd save by not taking pain medication, getting multiple cortisone injections and possibly avoiding surgery. Our team will work with you to provide the best payment options for your needs.

How is shockwave therapy different from ultrasound therapy?

Traditional ultrasound therapy used in physical therapy treatments uses low-energy continuous waves. This means it gently warms up the treated tissue. With shockwave therapy, high-energy acoustic waves are concentrated and deposited into injured tissue. Instead of warming up tissues, shockwave creates micro trauma that your body repairs.

Is shockwave therapy painful?

The shockwave machine is loud. Patients report it sounding like a clicking or popping noise. Many even compare it to a staple gun! Once you know what to expect, the sound isn't bad at all. And remember, it's all external!

Will I be able to workout after shockwave treatment?

You can get back to your normal day right after your treatment. Some patients do report being sore after the fact, which is completely normal. Think of the soreness as a sign that your body is beginning to heal itself. As with anything, if certain movements cause your pain to dramatically increase, take it easy for a few days.