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Compass Family Chiropractic

Non-Surgical Regenerative Care

Shockwave Therapy in Dunwoody

Looking for shockwave therapy in Dunwoody? Compass Family Chiropractic offers SoftWave, a broad-focused shockwave technology designed to deliver acoustic waves across a wider treatment area than many traditional radial systems.

SoftWave shockwave therapy being delivered at Compass Family Chiropractic in Dunwoody

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves — pulses of mechanical energy generated outside the body — to stimulate injured soft tissue. It is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia or incision, and there is no recovery downtime.

You will see the same treatment described several ways: shock wave therapy, acoustic wave therapy, ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy), or by a device brand name like SoftWave. Those terms overlap far more than they differ. What actually differs is the type of device.

The Three Types of Shockwave Technology

  • Radial: a pneumatic pressure wave created at the skin surface that loses energy as it travels deeper.
  • Focused: a true acoustic shock wave concentrated at a specific depth and a small target point.
  • Broad-focused: a true acoustic shock wave spread across a wider treatment zone — the category SoftWave belongs to.

Knowing which of the three a clinic uses tells you far more than the word on their website.

What Makes SoftWave Different

SoftWave is not an alternative to shockwave therapy — it is a type of shockwave therapy. It produces a true shock wave (unlike radial pressure-wave devices) and delivers it across a broad area (unlike tightly focused systems).

In practice, that usually means comfortable sessions of about ten minutes, no numbing agents, and no downtime afterward. Read more about SoftWave Therapy at our office.

Why People Start Researching Shockwave

  • Pain that has outlasted rest, stretching, bracing, or over-the-counter medication
  • Physical therapy that helped for a while and then plateaued
  • Cortisone that wore off, or a reluctance to keep repeating injections
  • Surgery has been mentioned and you want to exhaust conservative options first
  • A preference for treatment that stimulates healing rather than masking symptoms

What Treatment Feels Like

Most people describe a firm tapping or thumping sensation. It can be tender over an irritated area, and the intensity is adjustable during the session. Nothing is injected, nothing is numbed, and you walk out and go about your day.

Your first visit runs about 30 minutes and includes a consultation plus a mapping session using biofeedback to find the tissue that is actually irritated. We have an onsite digital X-ray suite if imaging is warranted. Treatment sessions afterward are typically about 10 minutes.

Cost and Consultation

The number of sessions depends on the tissue involved and how long the problem has been there, so we quote cost after the evaluation rather than before. Most insurance plans do not currently cover shockwave therapy; HSA and FSA funds can often be used. Call (770) 452-0022 and our team will walk you through current options.

Conditions We Evaluate for Shockwave Therapy

We only recommend shockwave when the exam supports it. These are the problems we most often evaluate at our Dunwoody office.

Shockwave Therapy FAQs

Is SoftWave the same thing as shockwave therapy?

Yes. SoftWave is a brand of shockwave therapy. It is not a separate category of treatment — it is one particular type of shockwave technology, so when you search for shockwave therapy in Dunwoody, SoftWave is what our office provides.

What type of shockwave therapy is SoftWave?

SoftWave is described by its manufacturer as broad-focused shockwave therapy. It produces true acoustic shock waves and spreads their energy across a wider treatment area than a tightly focused system.

Is SoftWave radial shockwave therapy?

No. Radial devices create pressure waves at the skin surface that lose energy as they travel deeper. SoftWave generates a true shock wave and delivers it across a broad area, which is a different mechanism than radial pressure-wave devices.

What is broad-focused shockwave therapy?

Broad-focused shockwave therapy delivers true acoustic shock waves over a wider treatment zone rather than concentrating them at a single small point. The intent is to reach a larger volume of tissue in one session while keeping the treatment comfortable.

How is SoftWave different from traditional shockwave therapy?

Most older systems are either radial (surface pressure waves) or tightly focused (a small, intense treatment point). SoftWave sits between those two — a true shock wave delivered broadly. Practically, that usually means no numbing agents, no gel-heavy pinpointing, and short sessions.

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

Most people describe it as a firm tapping or thumping sensation. It can be tender over an irritated area, and your provider can adjust the intensity during the session. It is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and there is no recovery downtime.

How long does a SoftWave session take?

A treatment session is typically about 10 minutes. Your first visit is longer — roughly 30 minutes — because it includes a consultation and a mapping session using biofeedback to locate the tissue that needs attention.

How many SoftWave treatments do people typically receive?

It depends on the tissue involved, how long the problem has been there, and your goals. Care plans are commonly delivered as a series of sessions spaced over several weeks. We give you a specific recommendation after your evaluation rather than a one-size-fits-all package.

What conditions do chiropractors use shockwave therapy for?

Commonly plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon problems, knee pain, shoulder problems, tennis and golfer's elbow, hip pain, wrist and hand pain, and stubborn chronic back and neck pain that has not responded to other conservative care.

Who should not receive shockwave therapy?

Shockwave is generally avoided during pregnancy, over open growth plates in children, over tumors or active infections, in people with blood-clotting disorders or on blood thinners, and directly over implanted devices. We screen for these during your evaluation and will tell you honestly if you are not a good candidate.

How much does shockwave therapy cost in Dunwoody?

Cost depends on how many sessions your case calls for, so we quote it after the evaluation rather than before. Call our Dunwoody office at (770) 452-0022 and we will walk you through current pricing and consultation options.

Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans do not currently cover shockwave therapy, so it is usually paid out of pocket. Coverage varies by plan, and HSA or FSA funds can often be used. Ask our team and we will help you check.

Find Out If You're a Candidate

Every case starts with an exam and a mapping session — not a sales pitch. If shockwave is not the right tool for your problem, we will tell you.