Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses focused acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissue. At Muscle Works Chiropractic in Coeur d’Alene, Dr. Brent Hirschi uses ESWT to jumpstart the body’s repair response in chronic injuries that haven’t responded to rest, stretching, or conventional care.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

When an injury becomes chronic — a tendon that won’t heal, a ligament that stays inflamed, scar tissue that keeps re-aggravating — it’s often because the local blood supply and cellular repair signals have quietly given up. The body has essentially moved on and left the damaged area in a holding pattern. Shockwave therapy interrupts that stall.

The shockwave device delivers rapid, controlled acoustic pulses through a small hand-held applicator placed directly on the skin. Those pulses travel into the tissue, where they create tiny micro-disruptions that the body reads as a signal to restart the healing process. Specifically, ESWT has been shown to increase local blood flow, trigger neovascularization (the formation of new capillaries), stimulate stem cell activity and growth factor release, break up calcifications, and desensitize irritated nerve endings in the treatment zone.

Translation: your body wakes up, sends fresh resources to the area, and finally starts rebuilding the tissue. Most patients notice measurable improvement within the first three to five sessions, with continued gains for several weeks after the course is complete.

What to Expect During Your Session

Dr. Hirschi starts each shockwave session with a quick reassessment of the target area — checking range of motion, tenderness, and function. He applies a small amount of ultrasound gel to improve acoustic coupling, then positions the shockwave applicator over the injury site.

The device fires a series of pulses at a specific frequency and intensity for roughly five to ten minutes per area. You’ll feel a rapid tapping or buzzing sensation and some pressure, but it shouldn’t be painful. For more sensitive spots, Dr. Hirschi will adjust the intensity to your tolerance. Most full shockwave treatments take 10 to 20 minutes and are typically scheduled once per week for three to six weeks, depending on the condition.

Conditions Shockwave Therapy May Help With

• Plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow
• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Achilles tendonitis and insertional heel pain
• Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• Calcific shoulder tendonitis
• Chronic trigger points that haven’t responded to manual therapy
• Hamstring and adductor insertional tendinopathies
• Shin splints and chronic exertional pain

Why Choose Muscle Works for Shockwave Therapy in Coeur d’Alene, ID

Shockwave therapy is powerful, but it’s most effective when it’s part of a bigger plan. At Muscle Works in Coeur d’Alene, Dr. Hirschi combines ESWT with Muscle Therapy and myofascial release — so you’re not just stimulating tissue repair, you’re also fixing the compensation patterns that caused the chronic strain in the first place. That’s why patients come from across north Idaho — Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake — for shockwave care at Muscle Works: they’re not just getting a machine treatment, they’re getting a whole-body solution.

Muscle Works is also a VA-credentialed provider. Qualifying veterans with a VA community care referral can receive shockwave therapy as part of their covered chiropractic care at no out-of-pocket cost — an option that isn’t always easy to find locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shockwave sessions will I need?

Most patients see meaningful improvement in 3–5 sessions, with a typical course lasting 3–6 weeks (once per week). Stubborn or deeply scarred tissue may require a few additional sessions. Dr. Hirschi will reassess after each visit and adjust the plan as you improve.

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

The sensation is a rapid tapping and some pressure. For most patients it’s uncomfortable but manageable, especially over the most tender spots. Dr. Hirschi can adjust the intensity down for sensitive areas. Any soreness typically fades within 24–48 hours.

Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by insurance plan — some plans cover ESWT for specific diagnoses, and others don’t. We’ll verify your benefits ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect. VA community care referrals are fully covered. Call our office at (208) 660-2480 to check your plan.

How is this different from traditional chiropractic?

Traditional chiropractic focuses on joint position. Shockwave therapy targets damaged soft tissue at the cellular level. At Muscle Works, we use them together — the adjustment puts the joint in the right place, and the shockwave jumpstarts the healing of the surrounding tendons and tissue.

Is there any downtime after a shockwave session?

There’s no real downtime. You can walk out of the clinic, drive yourself home, and go about your day. Some patients experience mild soreness for a day or two, similar to after a hard workout. Most people continue with their normal activities between sessions.

Ready to get started? Schedule your visit or call (208) 660-2480.