How We Use Shockwave Therapy at Evolve Wellness
At Evolve Wellness, shockwave therapy is used as part of a broader clinical assessment rather than as a standalone treatment. Before any protocol begins, your chiropractor evaluates your movement patterns, the specific structures involved, and how long the condition has been present. Shockwave is then applied with precision to the target tissue, often in combination with chiropractic adjustments or soft tissue work for a more complete outcome.
The clinic uses two devices depending on the clinical picture. The PiezoWave2 is applied for conditions requiring focused, depth-specific energy delivery, particularly for tendon attachments and calcific deposits. The Stemwave is used for broader tissue presentations and recovery support. Your provider will explain which device is being used and why before treatment begins.
Evolve Wellness is led by Dr. Jenson Gillette, DC, CCEP, who holds a Master's degree in Sports Rehabilitation from Logan University, alongside Dr. Marija Popadic, DC, Webster Certified, and Dr. Heather Graham, DC, with over 25 years of chiropractic experience.
What Conditions Does Shockwave Therapy Treat?
Shockwave therapy is most effective for conditions involving chronically inflamed or degenerative soft tissue, particularly where blood supply to the affected area has become limited. The most common applications at Evolve Wellness include:
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain: One of the best-evidenced indications for ESWT. Patients who haven't responded to stretching, orthotics, or injections often see meaningful improvement.
- Tendinopathies: Including Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff issues, and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
- Calcific deposits: PiezoWave's focused energy is effective for disrupting calcium deposits within tendons, most commonly in the shoulder, without surgical intervention.
- Chronic muscle and soft tissue pain: For deeper tissue patterns or areas where other modalities have produced limited results.
- Sports injuries and recovery: Accelerating tissue repair in athletes and active patients managing overuse conditions or slow-healing injuries.
What to Expect During a Shockwave Session
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The sensation is typically described as a deep pressure or tapping. Intensity is adjusted to a comfortable, therapeutic level. Some patients notice a brief ache at the treatment site, which resolves quickly. Post-session soreness for 24 to 48 hours is common and indicates the tissue has responded.
Both use electrical stimulation, but they work differently. TENS primarily targets nerve fibers to interrupt pain signals. Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic energy directly into tissue to stimulate biological healing, increase blood flow, and break down calcified deposits. They address different mechanisms and are used for different clinical goals.
That depends on the condition. Most protocols at Evolve Wellness involve 3 to 6 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart. Chronic or more complex presentations may require additional sessions. Your chiropractor will outline a realistic plan based on your specific assessment.
Yes, and it frequently is. Shockwave works well alongside chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, and myofascial release. In some cases it is used first to reduce tissue guarding before manual therapy, in others it follows to support recovery.
Shockwave therapy is well-suited to patients with chronic tendon issues, plantar fasciitis, calcific deposits, or slow-healing soft tissue conditions that haven't fully responded to rest or other conservative care. A consultation at Evolve Wellness is the best way to determine whether it's appropriate for your specific situation.
Book Shockwave Therapy in Nashville
Patients across Middle Tennessee visit Evolve Wellness for PiezoWave and Stemwave shockwave therapy because it isn't widely available at every chiropractic clinic.
Evolve Wellness serves patients across Nashville, Green Hills, 12 South, Brentwood, Franklin, and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area. Shockwave therapy using the PiezoWave2 and Stemwave is available as part of your chiropractic care plan. The team is accepting new patients.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate biological healing responses in targeted tissue. The waves are delivered through a handheld device held against the skin and create a controlled mechanical stimulus in the affected area, increasing blood flow, stimulating collagen production, and disrupting calcified deposits that can form in tendons over time.
Originally developed to break down kidney stones, ESWT has been extensively studied for musculoskeletal conditions over the past two decades, with strong evidence supporting its use for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinitis, patellar tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and other chronic soft tissue conditions that haven't responded well to rest or conventional care.
At Evolve Wellness in Nashville, shockwave therapy is delivered using two devices: the PiezoWave2 and the Stemwave. The PiezoWave2 uses piezoelectric technology to generate focused acoustic waves with precise depth control, making it particularly effective for deep tendon and joint pathology. The Stemwave is used for broader tissue applications and has shown promise in musculoskeletal recovery and circulation support. Having both devices means treatment can be matched to the specific condition rather than applied generically.
