Shoulders are unforgiving — you notice the problem every time you reach, lift, or roll over at night. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive option for soft-tissue shoulder problems, and the technology we use in Dunwoody is SoftWave.
Rotator cuff irritation, chronic tendon pain, and calcific deposits are among the most frequently studied uses of shockwave therapy. Shoulder pain also tends to linger, because it is nearly impossible to rest the joint completely.
Shockwave gets considered when the shoulder has been managed with rest, anti-inflammatories, or therapy and still has not turned the corner.
Pain reaching overhead or behind your back
Night pain when lying on that shoulder
Weakness or catching with lifting
Shoulder pain that has lasted months without steady improvement
How SoftWave Fits Into the Shockwave Category
The shoulder involves several overlapping tendons in a small space. Broad-focused shockwave treats a wider zone at once, which fits that anatomy — and typically without numbing agents.
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 shoulder 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
Before treating anything, we find out what is driving the pain. Call (770) 452-0022 to have your shoulder examined at our Dunwoody office.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
