StemWave Therapy

StemWave is a non-invasive, drug-free shockwave therapy that may help with select joint pain, tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, back and neck pain patterns, and stubborn musculoskeletal problems that haven't responded to traditional care.

If you are tired of relying on medication or considering surgery for chronic pain, StemWave is a non-surgical option grounded in the body's own healing biology.

What is StemWave therapy?

StemWave uses electrohydraulic shockwave technology to deliver focused acoustic waves into soft tissue. Depending on your condition and treatment plan, it may help:

• Support local circulation
• Calm irritated soft tissue
• Activate connective tissue
• Support the body's natural healing response

It's FDA-listed, performed by a licensed physical therapist, and pairs well with the other therapies we use (laser therapy, dry needling, compression, manual work). It is not a magic device, and we will tell you honestly if we don't think it will help.

When we consider StemWave

We most often consider StemWave for:

• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain — one of the most-studied applications of acoustic wave therapy
• Knee pain, including patellar tendinopathy and post-injury knee discomfort
• Shoulder pain, including rotator cuff tendinopathy and chronic shoulder stiffness
• Hip pain and greater trochanteric pain syndrome
• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow (lateral and medial epicondylitis)
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Select low back pain and neck pain patterns when your therapist determines the pain source is appropriate for acoustic wave therapy
• Muscle strains and chronic muscle spasms
• Sports injuries at any level

For many of these we'll combine StemWave with Laser Therapy, Dry Needling, or Compression Therapy. Your therapist will recommend the right mix for your case.

What to expect

Your first visit looks like this:

1. Evaluation. Your physical therapist takes a focused history of your pain and examines the area to confirm StemWave is appropriate.
2. Treatment plan. If it is, we build a plan around your condition, goals, and schedule.
3. The session. Treating a single area takes 3 to 8 minutes. Most patients describe the sensation as a strong tapping or pulsing. The intensity is adjustable.
4. No downtime. You can return to normal activity immediately. No medication, no recovery period.
5. Follow-up. Many patients complete 4 to 6 sessions, about a week apart. Some notice improvement earlier, but response varies.

Is StemWave right for me?

It often is if you:

• Have pain or a soft-tissue problem that hasn't responded to rest, ice, stretching, or traditional PT
• Want to avoid surgery, cortisone injections, or long-term pain medication
• Are an active person who needs to keep moving while you heal

It is not appropriate for everyone. Patients who are pregnant, who have certain blood disorders, or who have an active infection or recent surgical site in the treatment area should not receive StemWave until cleared. We'll review this carefully at your evaluation.

Patient stories

Frequently asked questions

What is StemWave therapy? A non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses electrohydraulic shockwave technology to send focused acoustic waves into soft tissue. It may help support circulation, connective tissue activation, and the body's natural healing response.

What conditions is StemWave used for? We often consider StemWave for plantar fasciitis, knee pain, shoulder tendonitis, hip pain, tennis and golfer's elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, sports injuries, and select soft-tissue pain patterns. Your therapist will evaluate whether it is appropriate for your condition.

Does StemWave hurt? Most patients describe it as a strong tapping or pulsing sensation — uncomfortable at points but tolerable. The intensity is fully adjustable, and there is no recovery time.

How long does a session take? Each treatment area takes 3 to 8 minutes. A full appointment fits in a standard physical therapy visit.

How many treatments will I need? Many patients complete 4 to 6 sessions, about a week apart. Some notice improvement earlier, but results vary by condition and individual response.

Is it covered by insurance? Coverage varies. Some patients choose StemWave as a self-pay add-on to a covered physical therapy plan. Call our office and we'll help you understand your options before your first visit.

Who should not have StemWave? Patients who are pregnant, who have certain blood disorders, who have an active infection in the treatment area, or who have an open wound or recent surgical site in the treatment area. Your therapist will go through this with you at evaluation.

Schedule a consultation

Call (847) 466-5420 or book online. We're at 125 South Bloomingdale Road, Suite 11.