Shockwave therapy—also known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT®) is an advanced, FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. Using targeted pressure waves, this in-office procedure boosts blood circulation and metabolism to repair damaged tissue and accelerate natural healing.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic waves into the tissue causing biochemical changes that can positively impact pain and tissue repair. Shockwave therapy portfolio includes a focused extracorporeal shockwave system and radial pressure wave (RPW) devices, allowing clinicians to select the appropriate technology based on clinical goals and patient presentation. As the name suggests, focused shockwave systems focus the acoustic waves through a lens which allows for targeted applications and for deeper tissue to be reached, up to 12.5 cm. Radial pressure wave systems work by transmitting acoustic waves at the skin surface which then travel radially into adjacent tissue. Radial pressure wave devices can treat larger areas and reach depths up to 6 cm depending on the device settings. Both types of devices are used by many clinicians within conservative rehabilitation programs.

Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), commonly known as shockwave therapy, is an advanced, non-surgical treatment for chronic muscle, tendon, ligament, and fascia pain. It uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate natural healing, reduce pain, and restore mobility without injections or surgery.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
Add a description about this category
Some patients report immediate pain relief after the treatment, although it can take up to four weeks for pain relief to begin. The procedure eliminates pain and restores full mobility, thus improving your quality of life. Over 80% of patients treated report to be pain free and/or have significant pain reduction.
Each session lasts about 10–12 minutes and is performed weekly. Most conditions require just 3 visits, though some patients may need a 4th or 5th treatment for complete results.
Yes. EPAT® is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive technology with a proven safety record supported by extensive clinical studies. It has virtually no risks or major side effects. Some patients may experience minor, temporary discomfort or mild soreness for a few days after treatment—similar to what you might feel after a intense workout.
While EPAT® is safe for most patients, its safety and effectiveness have not been established for individuals with certain medical conditions. Your provider will evaluate your medical history to determine if treatment is right for you.
EPAT® may not be recommended if you have:
¹ d'Agostino MC, Craig K, Tibalt E, Respizzi S. Shock wave as biological therapeutic tool: From mechanical stimulation to recovery and healing, through mechanotransduction. Int J Surg. 2015;24(Pt B):147-153. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.11.030
² Gollwitzer H, Saxena A, DiDomenico LA, et al. Clinically relevant effectiveness of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: a randomized, controlled multicenter study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015;97(9):701-708. doi:10.2106/JBJS.M.01331
³ Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, et al. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis: results of a confirmatory randomized placebo-controlled multicenter study. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(11):2100-2109. doi:10.1177/0363546508324176
⁴ Abdelkader NA, Helmy MNK, Fayaz NA, Saweeres ESB. Short- and Intermediate-Term Results of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Noninsertional Achilles Tendinopathy. Foot Ankle Int. 2021;42(6):788-797. doi:10.1177/1071100720982613
⁵ Murat S, Dogruoz Karatekin B, Zengin M. Clinical and Sonographic Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis. Medeni Med J. 2024;39(2):109-116. doi:10.4274/MMJ.galenos.2024.60308
⁶ Duymaz T, Sindel D. Comparison of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Traditional Physiotherapy in Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Treatment. Arch Rheumatol. 2019;34(3):281-287. Published 2019 Jan 28. doi:10.5606/ArchRheumatol.2019.7081
⁷ Kartaloglu IF, Kus AA. Evaluation of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Treatment-Resistant Trigger Points Using Sonographic Shear Wave Elastography. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2023;33(10):1159-1164. doi:10.29271/jcpsp.2023.10.1159
⁸ Wess OJ. A neural model for chronic pain and pain relief by extracorporeal shock wave treatment. Urol Res. 2008;36(6):327-334. doi:10.1007/s00240-008-0156-2
⁹ Schmitz C, Császár NB, Milz S, et al. Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for orthopedic conditions: a systematic review on studies listed in the PEDro database. Br Med Bull. 2015;116(1):115-138. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldv047
Optimal Chiropractic and Wellness
1798a Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
Call us: 617-500-9116
Copyright © 2026 Optimal Chiropractic and Wellness - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.