Last updated: November 3, 2026
Shockwave therapy treats chronic tendon and soft-tissue pain after rest, stretching, medication or injections have failed. Dr. Don Bolt, D.C., delivers radial shockwave, also called pressure wave therapy, at his office on W. 5th Street in Oxnard. Patients come from Port Hueneme, Ventura, Camarillo and across Ventura County.
Most shockwave patients have lived with heel, elbow or shoulder pain for months. Many have tried orthotics, physical therapy or a cortisone shot. Shockwave gives the tissue a new repair signal without surgery, needles or downtime.
Why patients choose shockwave over surgery
- No incisions, needles or anesthesia
- You walk out and drive home the same day
- Side effects are limited to short-term soreness, redness or bruising
- Treatment targets tissue other care failed to settle
Shockwave and pressure wave: one treatment, two names
Two kinds of devices carry the shockwave name. Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a set depth in the body. Radial devices send a pressure wave outward from the applicator, with the strongest effect near the skin.
Researchers and clinics call the radial version radial shockwave, radial pressure wave or pressure wave therapy. You see all three names online. At Bolt Chiropractic they describe the same treatment, delivered with a radial device. Radial treatment suits tendons and muscle close to the surface, such as the heel, elbow, shoulder and knee.
Conditions treated with shockwave
- Plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain
- Achilles tendon pain
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Rotator cuff tendon pain and chronic shoulder pain
- Knee pain from the patellar tendon (jumper’s knee)
- Hamstring tendon pain where the muscle attaches at the hip
- Tendon pain on the outside of the hip
- Shin pain and overuse injuries in runners and tradespeople
- Scar tissue and stubborn trigger points in muscle
What the research shows
A 2014 systematic review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine graded 23 studies on shockwave for soft-tissue pain. Radial pressure wave therapy showed benefit for plantar fasciitis. Focused shockwave showed benefit for plantar fasciitis and calcific shoulder tendinitis. Results for tennis elbow were mixed. Low-dose treatment did little for rotator cuff problems without calcium deposits.
The same review found both forms of shockwave safe. Side effects are short-lived: soreness, redness and minor bruising.
Dr. Bolt uses this evidence to set expectations before your first session. Chronic heel pain has the strongest track record. Elbow and shoulder cases get a frank talk about odds before you commit to a plan.
Published results by condition
| Condition | Study | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic heel pain, radial device | American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2008, 245 patients | 61% treatment success vs 42% with placebo at 12 weeks |
| Chronic heel pain, focused device | Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 2015, 250 patients | Heel pain fell 69% vs 35% with placebo |
| Calcific shoulder tendinitis, focused device | JAMA, 2003, 144 patients | Shoulder function score rose 31 points vs 7 points with sham treatment |
| Hamstring tendon pain | American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2011, 40 athletes | 17 of 20 shockwave patients cut pain by half or more, vs 2 of 20 with standard care |
Results vary by condition and device. A 2025 trial in hamstring tendon pain found shockwave and an exercise program performed about the same. Dr. Bolt shares the numbers for your condition at your evaluation.
Who is a good candidate
- Pain lasting three months or longer
- Pain traced to a tendon, fascia or muscle on exam
- Stretching, orthotics, physical therapy or injections did not resolve the pain
- You want to avoid or delay surgery
Who should not receive shockwave
Dr. Bolt screens every patient first. He does not use shockwave:
- During pregnancy
- Over an active infection, open wound or tumor
- On patients with a bleeding disorder
- Near a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device
- Within six weeks of a cortisone injection in the same spot
- Over the lungs or abdomen
Patients on blood thinners need a conversation before treatment.
What happens at a shockwave session
- Exam and history. Dr. Bolt pinpoints the tissue involved and reviews prior imaging. He orders X-rays in the office when the exam calls for them.
- Treatment. A layer of gel goes on the skin. The handheld applicator delivers rapid pulses across the painful area.
- After the session. You walk out and return to normal activity the same day. Expect soreness or redness for a day or two.
Dr. Bolt determines the recommended treatment frequency and number of visits after evaluating your condition. Your plan is reassessed and adjusted based on your response to care.
What shockwave feels like
Each pulse feels like a firm, quick tap. Dr. Bolt starts at a low intensity and raises the setting as you adjust. Most patients describe the feeling as uncomfortable but tolerable, and the discomfort ends when the session ends.
Shockwave works by triggering a repair response, so Dr. Bolt asks you to skip ice and anti-inflammatory pills around treatment days unless your medical doctor directs otherwise.
How shockwave fits with the rest of your care
Shockwave rarely works alone. Dr. Bolt pairs sessions with:
- Therapeutic laser therapy for inflammation and nerve pain
- Corrective exercises to load the tendon as pain drops
- Physiotherapy modalities, including electrical muscle stimulation
- Spinal decompression when back and leg pain comes from a disc instead of a tendon
Cost and insurance
Insurance rarely covers shockwave, so most patients pay out of pocket. The office quotes the full plan cost at your evaluation, before you start treatment. Medicare and cash pay are accepted for covered services.
Why Oxnard patients see Dr. Bolt for shockwave
Dr. Bolt graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College, Los Angeles, in 1988 and holds California chiropractic license #19387. He has treated patients in Oxnard and Ventura County for more than 35 years.
Many of his shockwave patients arrive after failed care elsewhere. He tells you at the first visit whether shockwave fits your case. When he expects a poor result, he says so and points you to a better option.
Request a Tendon Pain Evaluation
Shockwave therapy FAQs
Is pressure wave therapy the same as shockwave therapy?
Yes. Pressure wave therapy is the radial form of shockwave. Bolt Chiropractic uses a radial device.
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
Most patients call the feeling uncomfortable, not painful. Intensity starts low and rises as you tolerate the pulses.
How many sessions will I need?
Dr. Bolt determines the recommended treatment frequency and number of visits after evaluating your condition. Your plan is reassessed and adjusted based on your response to care.
How soon will I notice a change?
Some patients feel less pain after the first session. Tissue repair takes weeks, so most of the change shows up after the plan ends.
Does shockwave help back pain?
Shockwave targets tendons and muscle near the surface. Back pain from a disc or pinched nerve responds better to decompression and laser. Muscle trigger points in the low back sometimes respond to radial treatment.
Do I need a referral?
No. You book an evaluation directly. Veterans using VA Community Care need VA authorization first. See chiropractic care for veterans.
Ready to Get Started?
Call the Oxnard office or request an appointment online to schedule your visit with Dr. Bolt.