Non-surgical care in Culver City

Shockwave Therapy in Culver City

Heel, tendon or shoulder pain that has not settled with rest and exercise? At Culver Spine you get an exam first, honest advice on what the research says for your condition, and a clear plan.
  • Exam before any treatment
  • Honest advice on the evidence
  • Plan reviewed at every visit
  • 5601 W Slauson Ave, Suite 266, Culver City
Book a consultation
Call (424) 228-4638
Therapist using a shockwave therapy applicator on a patient's shin

The short answer

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), sends short mechanical pressure pulses through the skin into a painful tendon or soft-tissue area. Researchers think the pulses may restart stalled healing, though the exact mechanism is still being studied.
It is most often used for long-standing heel, shoulder and tendon pain. The evidence varies by condition, so we explain what is known for yours before you decide.

No incisions or needles

Treatment is delivered from the outside with a handheld applicator.

A series of short visits

Protocols commonly use several in-office visits, often about a week apart.

Exam comes first

We confirm the likely source of your pain before any treatment.

What the evidence says

Conditions people ask about

We would rather tell you where the research is strong and where it is weak than oversell. Here is the honest picture, condition by condition.
Person feeling outer elbow pain while turning a door handle, a common sign of tennis elbow

Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)

The most common reason people ask about shockwave. The FDA has approved several devices for chronic cases that did not respond to conservative care. Trials give mixed results, with some showing short-term gains in pain and function.

Calcific shoulder tendinopathy

Some trials, mostly using higher-energy treatment, report less pain and better function. Many studies are small, so results are uncertain.

Achilles tendinopathy

Results are mixed. Some trials favor shockwave over sham or other care, and others do not. Strengthening remains the foundation of treatment.

Tennis elbow

One device is FDA-approved for chronic cases, yet the best-quality trials show little benefit beyond a placebo. We will say so plainly and suggest a better-supported plan if there is one.

Other tendon problems

For the knee, hip or shin, the evidence is limited. Treatment here is a shared decision after your exam, with a clear point to review whether it helps.

Not sure what is causing your pain?

Start with an exam. It tells us whether shockwave is worth trying, or whether another approach fits better.
Book an exam
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy device with a handheld applicator and control unit
Photo: User:Mattes, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How it works

What shockwave treatment involves

A handheld applicator delivers pressure pulses to the sore spot. Devices come in two main types. Focused devices direct energy to a set depth, while radial devices spread lower-energy pulses over a wider, shallower area.
Higher-energy treatment can be painful and may need anesthesia. Lower-energy treatment is done in the office over several visits. Your provider explains which approach suits your condition and why.
  • Delivered from outside the body
  • No recovery period for most people
  • Intensity adjusted to what you can tolerate

Your visit

What to expect, step by step

1

Exam

We ask about your pain, check movement, strength and tender spots, and rule out problems that need a different approach.

2

Plan

We explain what we found, what the research says for your condition, and whether shockwave is worth trying.

3

Treatment

Gel goes on the skin and a handheld applicator delivers pulses to the sore area. You may feel tapping, pressure or discomfort, and we adjust the intensity.

4

Review

Treatment is usually a series of visits. We check your pain and function each time and change the plan if you are not improving.
After a session, soreness, redness or mild bruising can occur. We tell you what activity is fine in the days that follow.

Is it right for you?

Who shockwave therapy may suit, and who should check first

Often a reasonable option when

  • Your pain has lasted for months
  • An exam points to a tendon or soft-tissue source
  • Rest, exercise and footwear changes have not been enough
  • You want a non-surgical next step

Tell us before treatment if

  • You are pregnant or might be
  • You have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
  • There is an infection, open wound or tumor in the area
  • You have a pacemaker or other implanted device
  • The patient is a child or teen with open growth plates
Your provider makes the final call after your exam.

Complete care

Shockwave works best as part of a plan

For tendon problems, a progressive strengthening program is usually the foundation, with shockwave as an add-on. Depending on your diagnosis, your plan can also include disc herniation care, sciatica treatment or sports chiropractic care.

Spinal decompression

Non-surgical care for disc-related back and neck pain.

EMTT magneto therapy

Magnetic-field therapy for deeper tissue pain.

Class 4 laser (HILT)

Laser therapy for pain and soft-tissue problems.

Acupuncture

Needle-based care that can sit alongside other treatment.

In the office

Watch: shockwave therapy at Culver Spine

Questions, answered

Shockwave therapy FAQs

Shockwave therapy, or ESWT, is most often used for long-standing heel pain (plantar fasciitis), calcific shoulder tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow and other tendon problems. Evidence differs by condition, so we confirm the likely source of your pain with an exam before recommending it.

It depends on the condition. Some people with chronic heel pain or calcific shoulder tendinopathy report benefit, and the FDA has approved several devices for chronic plantar fasciitis. For tennis elbow, the best-quality trials show little benefit beyond a placebo. Results also vary from person to person, so we set a clear point to review whether it is helping.

Most people feel tapping or pressure and some discomfort over the tender spot. We adjust the intensity to what you can tolerate, and you can ask us to pause or stop at any time.

It varies. Treatment is usually a series of visits, often about a week apart, and we review your pain and function at each one. If you are not improving, we change the plan instead of continuing out of habit.

Common reasons to avoid or delay it include pregnancy, bleeding disorders or blood thinners, infection, an open wound or a tumor in the treatment area, a pacemaker or other implanted device, and open growth plates in children and teens. Tell us your full health history, and your provider will make the final call after your exam.

Soreness, redness or mild bruising can occur. Many people return to light daily activity right away, and we give you advice on exercise and activity for the days that follow.

Often, yes. It can sit alongside spinal decompression, EMTT magneto therapy, Class 4 laser therapy, acupuncture or chiropractic care, depending on your diagnosis.

Many insurance plans treat shockwave therapy as investigational and may not cover it. Call us at (424) 228-4638 or send a message and we will answer coverage and pricing questions before you book.

Call (424) 228-4638 or book online. Culver Spine is at 5601 W Slauson Ave, Suite 266, Culver City, CA 90230.

Ready for a straight answer about your pain?

Book a consultation at Culver Spine, 5601 W Slauson Ave, Suite 266, Culver City, CA 90230.
Book a consultation
Call (424) 228-4638
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This page is general information and not medical advice. Results vary from person to person. Talk with a qualified provider about your condition.
Photo credits: shockwave device photo by User:Mattes, CC BY-SA 3.0; tennis elbow photo by Sgdp, CC BY-SA 4.0; both via Wikimedia Commons.