Is shockwave therapy safe?

Yes — shockwave therapy has been shown to be safe in multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, with very few adverse events reported.

You may feel mild discomfort or pressure during treatment, especially over tight or inflamed areas. But we always adjust intensity and pace to ensure tolerability.

How soon will I see results?

Some patients report improvement after just 1–2 treatments; others see gradual progress over 3–4 weeks. Because each patient is different, we monitor and revise the plan accordingly.

Is it covered by insurance?

In many cases, shockwave therapy is considered an elective or “advanced modality,” and insurance may not fully cover it. (Check your specific policy.) We’ll discuss cost and payment options upfront.

Who is a good candidate?

Patients with chronic low back pain not responding to conventional care Those who prefer a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach Patients with identifiable pain generators (facet, trigger points, muscular) Patients without major contraindications (e.g. bleeding disorders, active infection, malignancy in the area) We’ll evaluate and tell you honestly whether shockwave therapy is a good option for you.

Shockwave Therapy for Back Pain: A New Solution in Phoenix & Anthem

Greg Muchnij • December 4, 2025

Chronic back pain is one of the most debilitating—and frustrating—conditions people face. You try medications, stretching, even chiropractic adjustments—but the relief is only temporary. What if there was a non-invasive, low-risk therapy that could stimulate your body’s own repair mechanisms and reduce pain more durably?

Welcome to StemWave Shockwave Therapy (a specialized form of acoustic / extracorporeal shockwave therapy) — now available at our Phoenix and Anthem clinics. In this article, I’ll walk you through how shockwave therapy for back pain works, why it’s promising, and (most importantly) how we use it at MyChiropractorAZ to help people just like you. If you’d like to talk directly, call us now at (602) 866-3505 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.

What Is Shockwave Therapy (Acoustic / Extracorporeal) — and Why It Matters for Back Pain

Basic Concept: Mechanotransduction & Healing

Shockwave therapy (also called acoustic wave therapy or extracorporeal shockwave therapy, ESWT) uses targeted sound waves to mechanically stimulate tissues. The energy delivered via shockwaves can:

Promote microtrauma and mechanical stress that triggers local healing
Increase blood flow and angiogenesis
Modulate inflammation (e.g. reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines)
Stimulate release of growth factors, stem cell recruitment, and tissue regeneration

Because of these biological effects, shockwave therapy is being applied in orthopedics, sports medicine, tendinopathies, and increasingly in spinal and back pain settings.

Evidence Base for Back Pain / Lumbar Spine

Here’s what the research tells us about shockwave therapy for low back pain:

A 2022 meta-analysis found that ESWT for low back pain yielded significant benefits in pain relief and functional improvement compared with controls, though the authors caution the evidence is still somewhat limited.
Another review of low back pain treatments states ESWT has “efficacy and safety in improving pain, dysfunction, and psychological conditions compared to other therapies.”
A prospective randomized pilot trial of radial ESWT in chronic low back pain showed meaningful improvements in pain and disability when paired with stabilization exercises, compared to sham treatment.
A comparative study found that shockwave therapy significantly relieved pain in mechanical low back pain (versus manual mobilization).
Focused ESWT (as opposed to radial) is less studied for the lumbar spine, but recent literature suggests potential benefit in deeper tissue targeting.

All together: while shockwave therapy is not (yet) a guaranteed cure for every back pain case, the accumulating data suggests it is a safe, low-risk adjunct or alternative for many patients. Its non-invasive nature is a major plus.

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Why Choose StemWave Therapy (Our Device) vs “Generic” Shockwave

In our clinic we use the StemWave system (our “shockwave therapy” is delivered via StemWave). Here are its advantages:

StemWave is an electrohydraulic acoustic wave therapy system using what the manufacturer calls Cellular Response Technology™ to deliver focused, low-intensity waves.
The treatment is performed in 5–10 minutes, with no downtime, no injections, and no incisions.
Because of its design, it aims to target deeper soft tissues and connective tissues more precisely than generic radial shockwave devices. (This can matter when treating deeper structures of the lumbar spine or facet joints.)
The manufacturer claims broad usage in over 500 medical offices, which speaks to its adoption among clinics.

In short: when you search “shockwave therapy for back pain,” we want patients to find a provider that uses advanced, clinically accepted devices — and to know that our clinic uses a top-tier device (StemWave) rather than a generic or underpowered system.

How We Use Shockwave / StemWave Therapy for Back Pain in Our Clinics

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how we administer shockwave therapy for back pain in our Anthem and Phoenix locations:

Comprehensive Evaluation & Diagnosis

We start with a full spinal and biomechanical assessment (posture, range of motion, orthopedic tests).
We review imaging (X-ray, MRI) if available, to rule out red flags (e.g. fracture, tumor, infection).
We identify pain generators (e.g. facet joints, discs, myofascial trigger points, SI joints, muscle tension) to guide targeted treatment.

Customized Shockwave “Mapping”

Using our diagnostic findings, we map specific treatment zones on the lower back (e.g. paraspinal areas, facet regions, trigger points).
We calibrate the shockwave energy levels per zone — adjusting intensity and number of pulses depending on depth and tissue sensitivity.

Application Phase

We apply coupling gel to ensure effective wave transmission.
The StemWave handpiece is placed over each target zone; pulses are delivered in a precise sequence.
We monitor patient comfort and adjust settings in real time (some areas may be more tender; we modulate accordingly).

Adjunctive Therapies & Rehabilitation

Immediately after or on the same visit, we often pair shockwave with spinal manipulations, mobilizations, stretching/soft-tissue techniques, and corrective exercises.
We provide a home exercise plan (core stabilization, stretching, posture training) to reinforce the effects of shockwave therapy.
Periodically, we reassess progress (pain scale, functional tests, range of motion) and adjust subsequent shockwave sessions.

Treatment Schedule

Many patients receive 2 to 3 shockwave treatments per week initially (depending on severity).
After initial phase, we reduce frequency and move to maintenance or “touch-up” treatments.
We aim for 6–10 sessions, though some patients benefit from fewer or more depending on response.

By combining diagnosis, targeted shockwave application, and rehabilitation, we increase the odds of meaningful, durable improvement.

Real Results & Testimonials

“After 4 sessions of StemWave, my low back pain that had plagued me for 5 years dropped by 60%. I can sleep on my side again — I feel like I have my life back.”
— J.S., Anthem, AZ

“I was skeptical, but within two visits I felt less stiffness, less burning in my lower back. The team at Dr. Muchnij’s office explained everything. I highly recommend it.”
— R.M., Phoenix, AZ

(We’d be glad to provide more before/after case studies on request. Also, you can read our Google reviews to learn more about what our patients say about our services.)

Common Questions (FAQs)

Is shockwave therapy safe?
Yes — shockwave therapy has been shown to be safe in multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, with very few adverse events reported.
Does it hurt?
You may feel mild discomfort or pressure during treatment, especially over tight or inflamed areas. But we always adjust intensity and pace to ensure tolerability.
How soon will I see results?
Some patients report improvement after just 1–2 treatments; others see gradual progress over 3–4 weeks. Because each patient is different, we monitor and revise the plan accordingly.
Is it covered by insurance?
In many cases, shockwave therapy is considered an elective or “advanced modality,” and insurance may not fully cover it. (Check your specific policy.) We’ll discuss cost and payment options upfront.
Who is a good candidate?
Patients with chronic low back pain not responding to conventional care
Those who prefer a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach
Patients with identifiable pain generators (facet, trigger points, muscular)
Patients without major contraindications (e.g. bleeding disorders, active infection, malignancy in the area)

We’ll evaluate and tell you honestly whether shockwave therapy is a good option for you.

Call to Action: Let’s Get Started

If you’re ready to try something new — to go beyond pills and passive treatments — let’s talk. Whether you're in Phoenix or Anthem, we can explore whether StemWave shockwave therapy is right for your back pain.

📞 Call us now: (602) 866-3505
Or fill out our online form to request a consultation
Ask about our “back pain + shockwave” bundles — we’ll bundle evaluation + first treatment

Don’t settle. Demand better outcomes — we’ll show you the way.