ST. LOUIS SPORTS CLINIC
Shockwave Therapy in Chesterfield & St. Louis, MO
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate tissue healing in chronic injuries that haven’t responded to other treatments. At St. Louis Sports Clinic, we use two Storz Medical devices — the MASTERPULS® ULTRA+ (radial) and the DUOLITH® SD1 ULTRA (focused) — giving us the ability to match the right shockwave type to each condition and tissue depth. We treat plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, calcific tendinitis, and chronic shoulder pain. Most patients see significant improvement in 3–5 sessions. Most clinics in the St. Louis area don’t offer shockwave at all — and virtually none carry both radial and focused devices.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy — also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) — delivers high-energy acoustic pressure waves to injured tissue. These waves penetrate the skin and muscle and are absorbed at the site of degenerated or calcified tissue.
The effect is mechanical and biological. Mechanically, shockwave breaks down calcifications and disrupts dysfunctional scar tissue. Biologically, it triggers a local healing response — stimulating increased blood flow, promoting collagen production, and activating growth factors that kick-start the tissue repair process.
Put simply: shockwave wakes up tissue that has stopped healing on its own.
This is why it works best for chronic conditions — problems that have been present for months or years where the body has essentially given up trying to repair the injury. Acute injuries rarely need it. Chronic ones often do.
Conditions We Treat with Shockwave Therapy
Plantar Fasciitis The most common use for shockwave, and one of the highest-evidence applications. Chronic plantar fasciitis — particularly cases with visible calcifications on imaging or that have failed physical therapy, orthotics, and cortisone injections — responds very well to shockwave. Most patients experience significant pain reduction within 3–5 sessions.
Achilles Tendinopathy Both insertional (at the heel bone) and mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy respond to shockwave, particularly in long-standing cases. Shockwave is especially useful for insertional cases, which are notoriously difficult to treat with loading alone.
Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) A common overuse injury in jumping athletes (basketball, volleyball, track). Chronic patellar tendinopathy often reaches a plateau with standard rehab. Shockwave breaks through that plateau by stimulating tendon regeneration.
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy & Calcific Tendinitis Calcific tendinitis — where calcium deposits form in the rotator cuff — is one of the clearest indications for shockwave. The acoustic waves physically break down the calcium deposits, which are then reabsorbed by the body. Results are often dramatic and relatively quick.
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Chronic lateral epicondylitis that hasn’t responded to rest, bracing, or corticosteroid injections often responds well to shockwave therapy combined with eccentric loading.
Hamstring Tendinopathy (Proximal) One of the most frustrating conditions in running athletes — high hamstring or proximal hamstring tendinopathy at the ischial tuberosity. Shockwave is one of the most effective tools available for this notoriously stubborn injury.
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) For runners with recurrent, refractory shin splints that don’t respond to load management alone, shockwave can accelerate bone remodeling and reduce periosteal pain.
What to Expect During a Shockwave Session
Before your session: We always start with a full movement assessment and review of your history. We need to understand how long you’ve had the problem, what you’ve already tried, and what imaging (if any) is available. This ensures we target the right location with the right parameters.
During the session: A small applicator head is placed on the treatment area. Ultrasound gel is applied first to allow the waves to penetrate the skin efficiently. The device delivers rapid pulses — you’ll feel a repetitive tapping sensation, often with some discomfort at the trigger point. Most patients describe it as a 5–7 out of 10 in intensity at the peak, but it is brief and well-tolerated.
Sessions typically last 10–15 minutes for the shockwave application itself, plus time for the surrounding manual therapy and movement work we integrate.
After your session: Mild soreness and local redness at the treatment site for 24–48 hours is normal and expected — it’s a sign the tissue responded. We recommend avoiding heavy training of the treated area for 24–48 hours after each session.
Most patients notice improvement after sessions 2 or 3, with maximum results appearing 6–12 weeks after the final session as the tissue remodeling process completes.
Radial vs. Focused Shockwave — Why We Use Both
This is one of the key differentiators at St. Louis Sports Clinic. Most clinics that offer shockwave carry one device — usually a radial unit. We carry both radial and focused shockwave because they do fundamentally different things.
Radial Shockwave (MASTERPULS® ULTRA+) Radial shockwave generates a pressure wave at the applicator tip that disperses as it travels into the tissue. Energy is highest at the surface and decreases with depth. This makes it ideal for superficial tendons (patellar tendon, lateral epicondyle, Achilles mid-portion), broad muscle areas with diffuse trigger points, conditions where a wider treatment zone is beneficial, and myofascial pain and muscle tightness.
Focused Shockwave (DUOLITH® SD1 ULTRA) Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a precise depth within the tissue — similar to how a magnifying glass focuses light. Energy is delivered to a specific focal point, which can be adjusted to match the depth of the pathology. This makes it ideal for deep structures (proximal hamstring at the ischial tuberosity, insertional Achilles), calcific tendinitis (precise targeting of calcium deposits), small well-defined areas of pathology, and conditions that haven’t responded to radial shockwave alone.
How we choose: We select radial, focused, or a combination of both based on the condition, depth of pathology, chronicity, and response to prior sessions. This is a clinical decision made at each visit — not a one-size-fits-all protocol. Having both devices in-house means we never have to compromise on treatment selection.
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
Most conditions require 3–5 sessions spaced 5–7 days apart.
| Condition | Sessions | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Plantar fasciitis | 3–5 | Improvement by session 3; full results at 6–10 weeks |
| Achilles tendinopathy | 3–5 | Gradual improvement over 8–12 weeks |
| Calcific tendinitis (shoulder) | 3–5 | Often dramatic — calcium breaks down within weeks |
| Patellar tendinopathy | 3–6 | Progressive improvement over 8–12 weeks |
| Tennis elbow | 3–5 | Improvement by session 3 |
| Proximal hamstring tendinopathy | 4–6 | One of the slower responders — patience required |
If you’ve had the problem for less than 3 months, you may need fewer sessions. If you’ve had it for years with multiple failed treatments, expect to be on the higher end.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Me?
Shockwave is a powerful tool — but it’s not for every patient or every situation.
Good candidates for shockwave: Chronic tendinopathy (3+ months) that hasn’t responded to standard conservative care. Calcific tendinitis with visible calcifications. Patients who want to avoid corticosteroid injections or surgery. Runners, golfers, and overhead athletes with recurrent overuse injuries. Patients who have plateaued with physical therapy or chiropractic.
Not recommended for: Active infection or open wound at the treatment site. Blood clotting disorders or patients on anticoagulants (discuss with your provider). Pregnancy (treatment over the low back or abdomen). Active malignancy in the treatment area. Patients under 18 (open growth plates). Cortisone injection within the past 6 weeks (increases risk of tissue damage).
If you’re unsure whether you’re a candidate, just ask us — we’ll give you a straight answer at your first visit.
Why Choose St. Louis Sports Clinic for Shockwave?
Most sports medicine clinics, chiropractic offices, and physical therapy practices in the St. Louis area don’t offer shockwave therapy. It requires specialized equipment and clinical training that most practices haven’t invested in.
At St. Louis Sports Clinic, shockwave is fully integrated into our treatment model. We don’t just apply the device and send you home. Every shockwave session includes a full reassessment before each session to track objective improvement, manual therapy and dry needling to address the surrounding tissue, a progressive loading program customized to your sport and activity level, and clear milestones and return-to-sport criteria so you know where you stand.
We carry both Storz Medical devices — the MASTERPULS® ULTRA+ (radial) and the DUOLITH® SD1 ULTRA (focused). This gives us treatment options that virtually no other clinic in the St. Louis area can match.
We’ve used shockwave to help athletes recover from injuries they were told would require surgery. We’ve helped runners get back on the road after years of plantar fasciitis. We’ve helped golfers and tennis players eliminate elbow pain that wasn’t responding to anything else.
If you’ve been dealing with a chronic injury and feel like you’ve run out of options, shockwave may be what you’ve been missing.
Serving Chesterfield, Clayton, Ladue, Frontenac & Town and Country
TEXT WIDGET St. Louis Sports Clinic is located in Chesterfield Valley and serves patients throughout the St. Louis metro area. Our patients come from Clayton, Ladue, Frontenac, Town and Country, Ballwin, Wildwood, and beyond — specifically because we offer shockwave therapy that they can’t access at most other clinics in the area.
645 Spirit Valley Central Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63005 (314) 200-5032
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy in St. Louis
Does shockwave therapy hurt? It’s uncomfortable during the session — most patients rate the discomfort 5–7 out of 10 at its peak. It is brief and manageable, and the soreness that follows typically resolves within 24–48 hours. The discomfort is a necessary part of the mechanism — the tissue is responding.
How soon will I feel results? Many patients notice improvement after session 2 or 3. However, the full tissue remodeling process continues for 6–12 weeks after your final session. Don’t judge the full outcome until at least 8–10 weeks after you finish the protocol.
Can I have shockwave after a cortisone injection? We recommend waiting at least 6 weeks after a corticosteroid injection before beginning shockwave. Corticosteroids temporarily weaken tissue, and combining them with shockwave too soon can increase the risk of a rupture.
Is shockwave covered by insurance? St. Louis Sports Clinic is a cash-based, out-of-network practice. HSA and FSA funds are accepted. Some patients receive partial reimbursement through out-of-network plans.
How is shockwave different from ultrasound therapy? Ultrasound therapy uses low-energy sound waves for mild warming and increased tissue permeability. Shockwave uses high-energy acoustic pressure waves that physically disrupt tissue and trigger a biological healing cascade. They are fundamentally different in energy level, mechanism, and clinical application. Shockwave has significantly stronger evidence for chronic tendinopathies.
What’s the difference between radial and focused shockwave? Radial shockwave disperses energy across a broad area and is best for superficial conditions. Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a precise tissue depth and is preferred for deeper structures and calcific deposits. We carry both — the Storz Medical MASTERPULS® ULTRA+ (radial) and DUOLITH® SD1 ULTRA (focused) — and select the appropriate device based on your specific condition.
Do I need a referral? No. You can book directly without a physician referral.
Dealing with a chronic injury that hasn’t responded to anything else?
Shockwave therapy may be the answer. Book a consultation at St. Louis Sports Clinic — we’ll assess whether you’re a candidate and build a plan around your specific injury and goals.
St. Louis Sports Clinic | 645 Spirit Valley Central Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63005 | (314) 200-5032