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Chronic muscle and joint pain that hasn’t let up with rest, stretching, or icing usually needs more than time. MK Chiropractic offers radial shockwave therapy in Chicago, IL, a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in soft tissue that hasn’t responded to conservative care on its own. Dr. Donald Mason, DC, builds it into a full treatment plan at our Near North Side office on West North Avenue, often pairing it with chiropractic adjustments so the joint issue behind the pain gets addressed too, not just the sore spot.
Quick Facts Session length: About 10 minutes. Full course: 4-6 sessions, sometimes up to 8. Treatment type: Non-invasive, no needles, incisions, or anesthesia. Booking: Same-week appointments often available through Zocdoc.
How Does Radial Shockwave Therapy Work?
Radial shockwave therapy, also called radial pressure wave therapy, sends acoustic pressure waves into the body through a handheld applicator pressed against the skin. The waves travel radially into the tissue below, reaching soft tissue and connective tissue that sit too deep for a standard massage to affect. Inside that tissue, the waves stimulate metabolic activity and temporarily increase blood flow to the area, giving damaged fibers what they need to start repairing themselves.
It’s often paired with chiropractic adjustments in the same visit, so both the soft tissue and the joint mechanics behind it get treated at once.
Who Qualifies for Radial Shockwave Therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy tends to work best on chronic, nagging pain that hasn’t responded to rest or stretching alone, rather than a fresh acute injury. Dr. Mason confirms during your evaluation whether it fits your specific case. It’s commonly recommended for:
- Chronic back pain or low back pain that hasn’t improved with rest
- Long-standing neck pain or muscle tension that keeps returning
- Plantar fasciitis or persistent heel pain
- Sports injuries involving tendons or connective tissue
- Muscle or joint pain that responded slowly, or not at all, to other conservative treatment
What Results Can You Expect?
Radial shockwave therapy is built for patients who want a real alternative to a long course of medication or a surgical consult. It’s non-invasive, treats a wider area of muscle or connective tissue in a single pass, and gives patients who’d rather avoid pain medication a drug-free option. Paired with chiropractic adjustments, it tends to give more complete relief than either treatment alone, since one addresses the soft tissue and the other the joint behind it.
Does Radial Shockwave Therapy Hurt?
Most patients feel a thumping or mildly sore sensation as the applicator passes over the affected tissue, with little to no discomfort over healthy areas nearby. The level of discomfort depends on the area being treated and how acute the condition is. Any soreness afterward is usually minor and settles within a day or two, similar to how muscles feel after a deep massage.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Sessions run about ten minutes each. Most people complete a full course in four to six sessions, occasionally up to eight, spaced roughly a week apart. Dr. Mason sets the exact schedule based on your condition and how you respond to the first few treatments, not a fixed number handed out before your evaluation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients feel a thumping or mildly sore sensation as the applicator passes over the treated tissue, with little discomfort over healthy areas nearby. Discomfort depends on the area treated and how acute the condition is. Any soreness afterward is usually minor and fades within a day or two.
Most treatment courses run four to six sessions, occasionally up to eight, with each session lasting about ten minutes. Dr. Mason sets the exact schedule based on your condition and how you respond to the first few treatments.
Most health insurance plans are accepted, including Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, plus Medicare, auto accident, workers compensation, and personal injury claims. Dr. Mason is credentialed under Illinois Medicaid but not in-network with Medicaid managed care plans like BCBS Community Health, Meridian, or AmBetter. Staff verify benefits before treatment, at no charge.
Most patients return to regular daily activity the same day, since the treatment isn’t invasive and doesn’t require recovery time. Some mild soreness in the treated area is common for a day or so afterward, similar to how muscles feel after a deep massage.
In a sense, yes. The applicator vibrates against the skin in a way that feels similar to a firm massage, even though the pressure waves underneath are doing something a massage alone can’t, stimulating tissue at a deeper level to support the body’s own repair process.
Get Lasting Pain Relief Without Surgery or Downtime
Chronic muscle and joint pain doesn’t have to mean months of treatment before you notice a difference. Radial shockwave therapy at MK Chiropractic is built to work as part of a focused, short course of care, so you can get back to your normal routine sooner. Reach out to schedule your evaluation and find out if it’s the right fit for your pain.