Shockwave therapy can treat both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow by stimulating blood flow and tissue regeneration in the damaged tendon fibers at the elbow, giving patients a non-surgical option when rest, bracing, and physical therapy haven’t resolved the pain. Dr. Jeff Swanson, D.C., CSCS, FASA, at Cedar Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture uses the FDA-approved SoftWave OrthoGold 350 device to treat elbow tendinitis for patients throughout Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Bee Cave, and the greater Austin area. Here’s what Cedar Park residents need to know about shockwave therapy for elbow pain.
What’s the Difference Between Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are both forms of elbow tendinitis, but they affect opposite sides of the joint: tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, causes pain on the outside of the elbow where the forearm extensor tendons attach, while golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, causes pain on the inside of the elbow where the forearm flexor tendons attach. Despite the sport-specific names, both conditions are usually caused by repetitive gripping and wrist motion rather than the sports themselves — Cedar Park patients develop these conditions from typing, manual labor, weightlifting, yard work, and racket sports just as often as from golf or tennis. Both involve microscopic tears and degeneration in the tendon fibers at the point where they attach to the bone.
Can Shockwave Therapy Treat Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow?
Yes, shockwave therapy can treat both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow by delivering acoustic sound waves directly into the damaged tendon, which increases blood circulation, breaks down degenerated tissue and calcifications, and mobilizes the body’s own stem cells and growth factors to the injury site. Elbow tendinitis is particularly well suited to shockwave treatment because the affected tendons sit close to the surface, allowing the acoustic waves to reach the damaged tissue efficiently. Dr. Swanson evaluates whether the case is early-stage inflammation or more chronic, degenerated tendon tissue, since chronic cases — the ones that have lingered for months without improvement — tend to be exactly where shockwave therapy shows the most benefit.
Why Do Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow Become Chronic?
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow become chronic when the tendon doesn’t fully heal between repetitive stress episodes, leading to a buildup of disorganized scar tissue and degeneration rather than healthy tendon fibers. Unlike an acute injury with a clear healing timeline, this kind of overuse tendinitis often gets aggravated over and over by the same daily activities — typing, lifting, gripping tools — before it’s ever given the chance to fully recover. Many Cedar Park patients try rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories for weeks or months, only to have symptoms return as soon as they resume normal activity, which is a sign the underlying tendon tissue needs a more targeted intervention.
How Many Shockwave Sessions Does Elbow Tendinitis Need?
Most patients with tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow need a series of shockwave sessions, typically spaced about a week apart, since the treatment works by triggering a biological healing response that builds progressively across the series rather than resolving after one visit. The number of sessions depends on how long the tendinitis has been present and how degenerated the tissue is — cases caught within a few months often need fewer sessions than tendinitis that’s been present for a year or more. Dr. Swanson reassesses grip strength and pain levels throughout treatment and adjusts the plan based on how the elbow is responding.
Is Shockwave Therapy Better Than Cortisone Shots for Elbow Pain?
Shockwave therapy and cortisone shots work differently: cortisone reduces inflammation and pain on a temporary basis but doesn’t repair the underlying tendon damage, and repeated cortisone injections have actually been associated with further tendon weakening over time. Shockwave therapy is designed to stimulate the body’s own regenerative processes, targeting the degenerated tissue itself rather than only calming inflammation. For patients who’ve already tried one or more cortisone injections without lasting relief, shockwave therapy offers a different mechanism aimed at the tendon tissue rather than repeating an approach that hasn’t produced durable results.
Can I Keep Working or Playing Sports During Shockwave Treatment for My Elbow?
Most patients can continue working and staying active during a shockwave treatment series for tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, since the SoftWave device requires no downtime and there are no restrictions on activity after each session. Dr. Swanson typically advises modifying or reducing the specific repetitive motion that aggravates the tendon — heavy gripping, repetitive lifting, or racket sports — while the tendon heals, rather than stopping activity altogether. This matters to Cedar Park patients who can’t take extended time off from work or an active lifestyle just to address elbow pain.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Shockwave Therapy for Elbow Pain?
Good candidates for shockwave therapy include patients with chronic tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow that hasn’t improved with rest, bracing, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medication over several weeks or months. It’s generally not the right first step for a brand-new, acute injury in the first few days, and it isn’t appropriate for active infections or certain other underlying conditions. Dr. Swanson’s initial evaluation determines whether a patient’s elbow pain is a good fit for shockwave therapy or whether a different approach, such as chiropractic adjustment for related shoulder or wrist mechanics, should come first or alongside it.
Cedar Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture
345 Cypress Creek Road #103, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: (512) 335-0641
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Hours:
Monday: 9 to 12:30 & 3 to 6
Tuesday: 9 to 12:30 & 3 to 6
Wednesday: 9 to 12:30 & 3 to 6
Thursday: 9 to 12:30
Friday: Closed
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy for Elbow Pain
Does shockwave therapy hurt for tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
Most patients describe shockwave therapy on the elbow as uncomfortable rather than painful, with a deep pressure or pulsing sensation during treatment. Dr. Swanson adjusts intensity to patient tolerance, and any soreness afterward typically settles within a day or two.
How long until I feel results from shockwave therapy on my elbow?
Some patients notice reduced pain and improved grip strength within a few sessions, while the full tissue regeneration process typically continues developing over several weeks, even after the treatment series has ended.
Is shockwave therapy covered by insurance for elbow tendinitis?
Insurance coverage for shockwave therapy varies by plan and provider. The Cedar Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture office can help verify individual benefits, and cash-pay options are available for patients without coverage.
Can shockwave therapy help chronic tennis elbow that’s lasted over a year?
Yes, chronic, long-standing cases of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow are often good candidates for shockwave therapy, since the treatment specifically targets the degenerated tendon tissue that builds up when overuse tendinitis goes untreated for an extended period.
Do I need imaging before starting shockwave therapy for my elbow?
Imaging isn’t always required before starting shockwave therapy for elbow tendinitis, though Dr. Swanson may recommend it if the exam findings suggest something other than standard tendinitis needs to be ruled out.
Can shockwave therapy be combined with a brace or physical therapy for elbow pain?
Yes, shockwave therapy is often combined with bracing and targeted rehab exercises, since strengthening the surrounding muscles supports the tendon as it heals during and after the shockwave treatment series.
How is shockwave therapy different from a tennis elbow strap?
A tennis elbow strap redistributes load away from the injured tendon to reduce pain during activity but doesn’t address the underlying tendon degeneration, while shockwave therapy is designed to stimulate actual tissue regeneration at the source of the problem.