Shockwave Therapy in Tempe, AZ — Non-Invasive ESWT for Stubborn Tendon and Heel Pain

Some injuries just won’t settle down. Plantar fasciitis that makes your first steps in the morning miserable, tennis elbow that flares every time you pick up a racquet or a coffee cup, or a sore Achilles that keeps you off the running path can hang on for months even after rest, ice, stretching and anti-inflammatories. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, often called ESWT or simply shockwave therapy, is a non-invasive option for these long-standing tendon and soft-tissue problems. At Sellers Sports Medicine in Tempe, shockwave therapy is part of a sports medicine plan built around an accurate diagnosis, so the treatment is aimed at the real source of your pain.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic (sound) waves through the skin to the painful area using a handheld device. The technology was first used in medicine to break up kidney stones and is now widely used in orthopedics, sports medicine and rehabilitation for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The acoustic waves create a controlled stimulus in the tissue. That stimulus increases local blood flow, encourages the formation of new small blood vessels and helps desensitize irritated nerve endings. Together, these effects are designed to create a healthy environment for healing and to stimulate the body’s healing response in tissue that has been “stuck” in a cycle of chronic pain. Shockwave can also help break down calcium deposits, such as those seen in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

Because ESWT is delivered from outside the body, there are no incisions, no needles and no anesthesia. It is a drug-free approach that can help you avoid surgery or cut back on pain medication. Learn more in our article What is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)?

Who Shockwave Therapy Helps

Shockwave therapy is usually considered for chronic or overuse injuries that haven’t responded to conservative care. You may be a good candidate if:

• Heel, elbow, knee, shoulder or hip pain has lasted for several weeks or months
• Physical therapy, stretching, orthotics or bracing haven’t given you lasting relief
• You’d like to avoid cortisone shots, or they’ve only helped for a short time
• You want a non-invasive option that helps avoid surgery
• You’re an athlete or active adult who wants to keep training while you recover

Shockwave may not be appropriate for everyone. People who are pregnant, have a bleeding or clotting disorder, take certain blood thinners, or have cancer or an infection near the treatment area may need a different plan. Dr. Sellers will review your health history before recommending ESWT.

Conditions We Treat With Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is most often used for chronic tendon and soft-tissue problems, including:

Foot and Ankle

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, Achilles tendinopathy and other chronic tendon pain around the ankle.

Elbow

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), two of the most common overuse injuries we see in golfers, tennis and pickleball players.

Shoulder

Calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy that cause pain with overhead reaching or at night.

Hip and Leg

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome and gluteal tendinopathy (often called “hip bursitis”), patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee), shin splints, and myofascial pain and trigger points.

For a closer look at each of these, read what conditions extracorporeal shockwave therapy can treat.

Shockwave Therapy and Your Treatment Plan

Shockwave works well as one part of a broader, non-surgical plan. Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Sellers may recommend ESWT on its own or alongside:

• MLS Laser Therapy, a non-invasive laser treatment that helps reduce pain and inflammation with quick, comfortable sessions.
• PRP Therapy, an ultrasound-guided injection of your own concentrated platelets for tendon, ligament or joint problems that need more than an outside-the-body treatment.
• Orthobiologics, the family of treatments made from your own body’s tissues.
• Osteopathic manipulation and a home exercise program to improve how you move and load the injured area.

What to Expect: Your Shockwave Visit Step by Step

1. Evaluation and diagnosis. Dr. Sellers reviews your history, examines the painful area and, when helpful, uses in-office musculoskeletal ultrasound to look at the tendon or fascia and confirm the source of your pain.
2. Pinpointing the spot. The exact area of tenderness is located and marked so the treatment helps the body target where you’re hurt.
3. Gel and applicator. A conductive gel is applied to the skin and the handheld applicator is placed over the area.
4. Treatment. Acoustic waves are delivered in pulses. The intensity can be adjusted for comfort. A session typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes, including setup.
5. Back to your day. There’s no downtime. Most people go back to normal daily activities right away, with guidance on how to manage training while the area responds.
6. A short series. Most patients need a series of treatments spaced over several weeks. Improvement is often gradual and can continue for weeks after the final session.

You may feel some discomfort during treatment, and temporary redness, soreness or mild swelling afterward. Serious side effects are rare. Results vary from person to person, and Dr. Sellers will talk through realistic expectations for your condition.

Read about shockwave therapy for tendinopathy from Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Shockwave Therapy for Tempe Athletes and Active Adults

Tempe is a year-round town for staying active. Runners and walkers on the Tempe Town Lake path, hikers on Papago and South Mountain, and golfers across the Valley put repeated stress on their feet, Achilles tendons and elbows. Pickleball courts in Tempe, Chandler and Mesa are full most mornings, and with them come plenty of cases of tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and heel pain. Hard surfaces and summer heat add to the load, so overuse injuries that never fully settle down are common.

Our clinic on South Mill Avenue, just south of ASU, is a short drive from most of the East Valley and central Phoenix.

Service-area line: We see shockwave therapy patients from Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Gilbert, Guadalupe and Ahwatukee.

• Diagnosis first. Shockwave is only as good as the diagnosis behind it. Dr. Joel S. Sellers is one of the few physicians in Arizona board certified in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, so we can see the tissue before we treat it.
• Experience. Dr. Sellers has practiced sports medicine in the Phoenix area since 1987 and is a Fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.
• Elite-level care. He has served as team physician for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers and USA Wrestling.
• Every non-surgical option under one roof. If shockwave isn’t enough on its own, we can add MLS laser therapy, PRP or other orthobiologic options without sending you elsewhere.
• Patients agree. 4.8 stars from 138 Google reviews. Read our patient reviews.

Learn more about Dr. Sellers and our team.

Shockwave Therapy FAQs

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

Most patients feel tapping and some discomfort during treatment, especially over the sorest spot. The intensity can be adjusted, and the session is short. Mild soreness or redness afterward usually fades within a day or two.

How many shockwave sessions will I need?

Most patients need a short series of treatments spaced over several weeks. Dr. Sellers will recommend a plan based on your condition and how long you’ve had it.

How long does a session take?

About 15 to 30 minutes, and you can usually return to normal daily activities the same day.

Is shockwave therapy the same as MLS laser therapy?

No. Shockwave uses acoustic waves, while MLS laser therapy uses light energy. They work differently and are sometimes used together. Learn more about MLS Laser Therapy.

When will I notice a difference?

Improvement is usually gradual. Some patients notice less pain after a few sessions, while others notice changes over the weeks after the series ends. Results vary and no outcome is guaranteed.

Can shockwave help me avoid surgery?

For many chronic tendon and fascia problems, shockwave is a non-invasive option to try before surgery is considered. An evaluation is the best way to find out whether it fits your situation.

Visit Our Tempe Clinic

Sellers Sports Medicine
1492 S Mill Ave, Suite 307, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 426-2667 · Info@SellersSportsMed.com
Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am–1:00 pm

Related Services

• MLS Laser Therapy
• PRP Therapy
• Orthobiologics
• Sports Medicine