Shockwave Therapy for Athletes: How San Diego Chiropractors Are Using Cutting-Edge Technology to Accelerate Healing and Recovery

For San Diego athletes and active adults, few things are more frustrating than a nagging injury that just won’t heal. Whether it’s an Achilles tendon that flares up after every run, a stubborn case of golfer’s elbow, or chronic plantar fasciitis, these lingering issues can keep you sidelined for months.

At Team Elite Chiropractic, we’re always looking for innovative ways to help our athletic patients recover faster and return to the activities they love. One of the newest tools in our performance and recovery toolbox is Shockwave Therapy, a powerful, non-invasive treatment that stimulates your body’s own healing process.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy (also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy) uses high-energy sound waves to create controlled microtrauma in injured tissue. This process activates your body’s natural repair mechanisms, increasing blood flow, stimulating new cell growth, and promoting tissue regeneration.

Originally developed to break up kidney stones, the technology has evolved into a highly effective musculoskeletal treatment used worldwide by sports chiropractors, physical therapists, and sports medicine doctors.

How It Works

During a session, a handheld device delivers focused sound waves to the affected area. You’ll hear and feel a rhythmic “tapping” sensation, firm, but not unbearable. Most patients describe the intensity as a 4–6 on a discomfort scale, and your chiropractor can adjust the power level as needed.

The science behind it is impressive:

• Stimulates Stem Cell Production: Encourages your body to create new, healthy tissue.
• Promotes Angiogenesis: Forms new blood vessels, increasing oxygen and nutrient flow to speed up repair.
• Breaks Up Scar Tissue: Improves mobility and reduces chronic tension in tight or injured areas.
  
  

The result? Improved healing, reduced pain, and faster recovery, without surgery, injections, or downtime.

Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Help

Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for chronic tendon and soft tissue injuries, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)
• Golfer’s Elbow / Tennis Elbow
• Biceps or Shoulder Tendinitis
• Chronic Muscle Tightness or Trigger Points

While we often use it for long-lasting injuries, it can also support recovery from acute muscle or tendon strain, helping reduce pain and inflammation in the early stages.

What to Expect During and After Treatment

Each session takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on the treatment area. Dr. CJ Epstein starts with a lower power setting and gradually increases intensity as your tissue adapts.

After treatment, mild soreness or redness can occur for 24–48 hours, similar to what you might feel after a deep tissue massage or cupping session. Bruising is rare but possible.

Important note: Shockwave therapy should not be performed immediately after a cortisone injection (a six-week waiting period is recommended). It’s also avoided over areas with active cancer or during pregnancy near the abdomen.

Combining Shockwave Therapy with Team Elite’s Multi-Modal Approach

At Team Elite Chiropractic, no treatment exists in isolation. Shockwave therapy works best as part of our integrated approach that combines:

• Manual Therapy – including Active Release Technique (ART), cupping, and soft tissue mobilization.
• Chiropractic Adjustments – restoring motion and alignment through the spine and extremities.
• Laser Therapy – using photobiomodulation to speed up tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
• Rehab & Loading Exercises – strengthening and reconditioning the injured tissue to prevent recurrence.

Dr. Epstein explains it best:

“Shockwave therapy is another tool in our toolbox. When combined with laser therapy, soft tissue work, and exercises, we can help athletes recover faster and keep them performing at their best.”

This one-two punch of stimulating healing (shockwave) and accelerating recovery (laser and rehab) makes a powerful difference, especially for persistent injuries that haven’t responded to other treatments.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

While every athlete’s body and injury are unique, most patients notice improvement within the first 3–4 sessions.

For acute issues, a series of six visits may be enough. For chronic tendon problems lasting months or years, 8–12 treatments, spaced about a week apart, are often recommended to achieve lasting results.

Why San Diego Athletes Are Turning to Shockwave Therapy

Whether you’re training for the La Jolla Half Marathon, hitting the surf in Pacific Beach, or competing on the field, your body endures constant stress. Shockwave therapy helps accelerate recovery without drugs, surgery, or extended downtime, so you can keep training smarter and stronger.

Athletes choose Team Elite Chiropractic because our approach goes beyond pain relief. We focus on restoring movement, enhancing performance, and preventing future injury, combining the best of chiropractic care, sports rehab, and cutting-edge recovery tools.

With locations in Scripps Ranch and La Jolla, our team helps athletes and active adults move better, recover faster, and perform at their highest level.

Book your appointment today and take the next step toward pain-free, high-performance movement.