Shockwave therapy
Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow in West Michigan
Shockwave therapy with SoftWave for lateral epicondylitis — what it's used for, who is an appropriate candidate, and how to get evaluated in Zeeland, Portage, or Muskegon.
Why people with tennis elbow research shockwave therapy
Tennis elbow rarely comes from tennis. It comes from gripping, lifting, typing, and trade work, and it can hang on for a year or more because people keep using the arm. Shockwave therapy is commonly considered when bracing, rest, and stretching have plateaued and the outside of the elbow still lights up with every grip.
Where SoftWave fits
SoftWave is a brand of shockwave therapy — specifically, a broad-focused system. So if you've been comparing "SoftWave" against "shockwave therapy," you're comparing a product to the category it belongs to. Our doctors use SoftWave because its wider treatment field suits the regional soft-tissue complaints we see most. More about SoftWave.
What the evaluation looks like
We start with your history and a hands-on exam to confirm the pain is actually coming from where you think it is. If shockwave therapy is appropriate, we explain how many sessions we expect, what each one involves, and what it will cost before anything begins. If it isn't the right tool, we'll tell you that and point you toward what is.
Who may or may not be a candidate
Often a good fit
- • Outer elbow pain lasting more than two to three months
- • Pain reproduced by gripping or wrist extension
- • Bracing and rest have only partly helped
- • You'd like to avoid a cortisone injection
Not appropriate when
- • You're pregnant
- • Open wound, active infection, or tumor near the elbow
- • Bleeding disorder or blood-thinning medication
- • The exam points to nerve entrapment or neck referral instead
What the research generally supports
Lateral epicondylitis has been examined in numerous shock wave therapy studies. Results vary between trials, but reviews generally describe pain and grip-strength improvements in chronic cases, particularly when combined with loading exercise and activity modification.
How to schedule
Book online at Zeeland, Portage, or Muskegon, or call the clinic and ask for a shockwave therapy evaluation. Insurance coverage for shockwave varies by plan — see our insurance and payment FAQs.
FAQ
Shockwave therapy questions
Is SoftWave the same thing as shockwave therapy?
Yes. SoftWave is a brand of shockwave therapy. It is not a separate category of treatment — it is one specific type of shockwave device, and the treatment it delivers is shockwave therapy.
What type of shockwave therapy is SoftWave?
SoftWave is described by its manufacturer as broad-focused shockwave therapy. It spreads acoustic waves across a wider treatment area than many traditional radial systems rather than concentrating energy on a single narrow point.
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
Most patients describe it as a firm tapping or pulsing sensation rather than pain. Tender areas can feel intense for a moment, and your doctor adjusts the intensity during the session based on your feedback. No anesthesia is used.
How long does a SoftWave session take?
The shockwave portion itself is usually brief — often around 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many areas are treated. Your first appointment is longer because it includes your history, exam, and care plan discussion.
How many SoftWave treatments do people typically receive?
Shockwave therapy is normally delivered as a short series of sessions spread over several weeks rather than a single visit. Your doctor gives you a specific number after your exam, with a clear beginning, middle, and end — not an open-ended contract.
Who should not receive shockwave therapy?
It is generally avoided during pregnancy, over active infections, open wounds, tumors, or growth plates in children, and for people with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners. Tell us about your full medical history and medications and we will screen you before treatment.
How much does shockwave therapy cost in West Michigan?
Cost depends on how many areas are treated and how many sessions your exam calls for, so we quote it after your evaluation instead of publishing a number that may not apply to you. Call any of our three clinics and we will walk you through the options before you commit.
Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage for shockwave therapy varies widely by plan and many plans treat it as a non-covered service. We verify your specific benefits before you start and offer straightforward self-pay pricing so there are no surprise bills.
Conditions we evaluate
What people come in asking about
Shockwave therapy is used for stubborn soft-tissue and tendon problems. Whether it's right for you depends on your exam — not on the label on your pain.
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain that won't quit? Learn how shockwave therapy with SoftWave is used for plantar fasciitis, who is a candidate, and how to get evaluated in Zeeland, Portage, or Muskegon.
Read more →Achilles Tendon Pain
How shockwave therapy with SoftWave is used for Achilles tendinopathy, who's an appropriate candidate, and how to schedule an evaluation in Zeeland, Portage, or Muskegon.
Read more →Knee Pain
When shockwave therapy with SoftWave is appropriate for tendon-related knee pain, who qualifies, and how to get evaluated at our Zeeland, Portage, or Muskegon clinics.
Read more →Shoulder Pain
How shockwave therapy with SoftWave fits into care for rotator cuff and shoulder tendon pain, who's a candidate, and how to book an evaluation in West Michigan.
Read more →Compare the options
SoftWave vs the other shockwave systems
Plain-language breakdowns of how the technologies differ, written by our doctors.
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