Knee pain sends more people looking for alternatives to injections and surgery than almost any other complaint. Shockwave therapy is one of those alternatives — and at our Dunwoody office, the shockwave device we use is SoftWave.
Not all knee pain is the same. Tendon-related pain at the kneecap, irritation along the outside of the knee, and chronic soft-tissue pain behave very differently from advanced joint degeneration. Shockwave is aimed at the soft-tissue side of that picture.
People typically look into it after cortisone has worn off, after physical therapy has plateaued, or when surgery has been raised but they want to exhaust conservative options first.
Pain at the front of the knee with stairs, squatting, or kneeling
Tendon pain that returns with activity
Chronic soft-tissue knee pain that has plateaued
Wanting a non-surgical option before considering injections or surgery
How SoftWave Fits Into the Shockwave Category
SoftWave is broad-focused shockwave: a true shock wave spread across a wider treatment area. Around the knee, where several structures can contribute at once, treating a broader zone is often more practical than pinpointing one spot.
What the Evaluation Looks Like
Your first visit lasts about 30 minutes. It includes a consultation, a hands-on exam, and a mapping session that uses biofeedback to locate the tissue that is actually irritated — which is not always where you feel the pain. We have an onsite digital X-ray suite if imaging is warranted.
At the follow-up we review what we found and give you a specific recommendation: how many sessions, how often, and what else (chiropractic care, decompression, movement work) belongs alongside it. Treatment sessions themselves usually take about 10 minutes.
Who Is — and Isn't — a Candidate
Shockwave therapy is worth evaluating when knee pain has persisted despite rest, stretching, or other conservative care, and when the tissue involved is one that responds to a regenerative stimulus.
It is generally not appropriate during pregnancy, over open growth plates, over tumors or active infections, for people with clotting disorders or on blood thinners, or directly over implanted devices. If you are not a good fit, we will tell you and point you toward the care that makes more sense.
What the Research Says
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been studied across tendon and soft-tissue conditions for more than two decades, and the SoftWave device carries FDA clearance in the United States. Published results vary by condition, device type, and protocol.
We will not promise you an outcome. What we can do is examine you, explain honestly whether the evidence supports trying shockwave for your particular problem, and measure whether it is working as we go.
Schedule an Evaluation in Dunwoody
We will examine the knee, identify what is actually generating the pain, and tell you honestly whether shockwave is a reasonable tool for it. Call (770) 452-0022 to get started.
Common Questions
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.
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.
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.
