• Email: info@BodyBalancePortland.com
Schedule an Appointment
Verify Insurance Benefits
Fullscript Discount Supplements
Gift Cards

Non-Invasive Pain Relief with Shockwave Therapy

Non-Surgical Healing, Pain Relief, & Tissue Regeneration

At Body Balance Rolfing® & Massage, Jenny Rock, Certified Advanced Rolfer®, offers Radial Pressure Wave (RPT), also referred to as Radial Shockwave Therapy and ESWT, to help stimulate healing, reduce chronic pain, and restore mobility. This non-invasive, regenerative treatment works by delivering acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, without surgery, injections, or medications.  This pain-relieving cascade of healing and tissue repair includes: stimulating collagen synthesis, triggering angiogenesis and neurogenesis, and improving blood flow. 

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, soft tissue injuries, or limited mobility, Radial Pressure Wave (or Radial Shockwave Therapy) can help you heal faster and get you back to the activities that you love.

Radial Shockwave (Radial Pressure Wave) FAQs

Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) or Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (RPW), is an evidence-based treatment used worldwide to treat musculoskeletal pain and injuries.

Unlike traditional pain management methods that rely on medications, injections, or surgery, Shockwave Therapy stimulates your body’s natural regenerative process by:

  • Increasing blood circulation to damaged tissues
  • Stimulating collagen production for long-term healing
  • Breaking down scar tissue & calcifications
  • Reducing pain & inflammation

In as few as 3 to 6 sessions, you could experience significant pain relief and restored mobility—all with no downtime, no scarring, and no anesthesia.

A radial pressure wave triggers biological healing by sending mechanical energy into tissue, which reduces pain and restarts the body’s natural repair process.
 
Cellular and Tissue Effects
  • Increases Circulation: It stimulates blood flow and creates new micro-vessels in damaged tissue.
  • Reduces Pain: It overstimulates nerve fibers to block pain signals and lowers Substance P, a pain-transmitting chemical.
  • Breaks Down Calcification: It helps dissolve calcium build-ups in tendons, such as calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.
  • Boosts Collagen: It accelerates the production of collagen, which is necessary to rebuild healthy tendons and ligaments.
  • Relaxes Muscles: It releases trigger points to relieve severe muscle knots and spasms.
  • The Ultimate “Scar Tissue Eraser”: Because radial waves deliver peak mechanical force right at the skin surface, they are physically superior at breaking up calcifications and dense, fibrotic scar tissue in shallow tendons.
  • Broad Surface Coverage: Unlike focused shockwaves that shoot past the surface to hit a tiny dot deep inside, the Storz radial wave fans out. This makes it incredibly efficient for covering entire muscle groups, sweeping down the IT band, or treating the whole plantar fascia in a single session.
  • Dual Action (Tendons + Muscles): It does double duty. It acts as both a regenerative tool for tendons and a profound mechanical trigger-point release for tight muscles. 
  • Efficiency: Storz Radial device delivers targeted acoustic pressure waves that do weeks’ worth of deep-tissue work in just a single 5-minute session. It fast-tracks your recovery by forcefully restarting the healing process exactly where your injury is stuck. Our Storz device is the industry gold-standard specifically because it concentrates 100% of its kinetic energy right where your pain lives, rather than bypassing it
  • Efficacy:  When your injury is in the [tendon/muscle], the Storz device is the most effective tool because it deposits 100% of its healing energy right where your pain lives.

Conditions Treated with Radial Pressure Wave (Shockwave) Therapy

Shockwave Therapy is effective for a wide range of soft tissue injuries, especially those related to tendon problems.  Some of the chronic pain conditions and mobility impairments shockwave can help are:

  • Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain
  • Bone spurs
  • Achilles Tendonitis & Foot Injuries
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
  • Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
  • Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Injuries
  • Frozen Shoulder & Mobility Restrictions
  • Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
  • Myofascial Trigger Points & Muscle Tension
  • Arthritis pain and mobility 
  • Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Consultation and treatment in your first visit:  During each  visit, Jenny will assess your pain, mobility, and treatment goals and then deliver the shockwave treatment.  There is no need to schedule a separate consultation.
  • Treatment Process: Shockwave requires the use of ultrasound gel applied to the skin.  Then, a handheld device delivers controlled acoustic waves (sound waves) to the targeted areas of pain.  You might feel a little tingling, but it should never be painful.  Jenny will adjust the settings so that you tolerate the sessions for each area treated, and for each session.  As tissue heals, tolerance frequently increases.
  • Session Duration: Each area of treatment lasts about 4-5 minutes.  Shockwave sessions are based on the number of percussions, not time.  For reference, each area of treatment is about the size of a postcard. 
  • Number of Sessions:  Most research indicates that 1-2 sessions for 6 weeks is ideal for healing.  If your injury is very old, you will likely need more sessions.  Most people notice some improvements after one session, but most people need at least three sessions to notice the healing trend.  Research shows that the healing from shockwave tends to be cumulative, and the body keeps healing even after the treatments are done.  Results vary greatly based on many factors.  
  • Minimal Discomfort: Most patients feel mild tingling but no significant pain.  If there is pain, Jenny will quickly remove the handpiece and lower the setting. 
  • No Downtime: Resume normal activities immediately after treatment.  Avoid icing the area post shockwave for at least a few days.   Shockwave also works best without impact of any type of anti-inflammatory medications. 
📅 Book Your Shockwave Therapy Session Today

Who Can Benefit from Radial Pressure Wave (Shockwave) Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy is ideal for anyone struggling with musculoskeletal pain, injuries, or mobility issues. It is especially beneficial for:

  • Chronic pain sufferers – Long term relief for tendon, ligament, and muscle pain. 
  • People with mobility issues – Fast and non-invasie way to regain mobility, range of motion, and function.
  • Those looking to avoid invasive treatments – A natural alternative to medications & injections.
  • Athletes & active individuals – Recover faster from sports injuries and get back out there sooner!

If you’ve been living with pain or limited movement, Shockwave Therapy can help restore your body’s function and quality of life.

Shockwave is NOT recommended for people on blood thinners, anti-inflammatories, those with malignancies, or those who are pregnant.  

WHY CHOOSE RADIAL PRESSURE WAVE (SHOCKWAVE)?
The success rates for RPW:

  • 90% improvement for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)  (“Journal of Orthopedic Research,” 2005)
  • 77% success rate when treating Tennis Elbow with Radial Shockwave Therapy (Also, the “Journal of Orthopedic Research”)
  • Other clinical studies have generally reported a success rate in excess of 75%.
  • Effectiveness of shockwave and osteoarthritis 

Radial Pressure Wave and Shockwave Therapy are FDA cleared for treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and connective tissue disorders; there are no known risks or complications.

Plantar Fasciitis Research
Osteoarthritis Research

Why Choose Jenny Rock for Radial Pressure Wave (Radial Shockwave Therapy) in Beaverton, OR?

As a Certified Advanced Rolfer® with extensive experience in pain relief and structural integration, Jenny Rock brings expertise, precision, and personalized care to every Shockwave Therapy session.

  • Expert Knowledge & Experience – With over 37 years of bodywork and rehabilitation experience, Jenny combines Shockwave Therapy with Rolfing® and other advanced techniques for superior results.
  • Customized Treatment Plans – Jenny tailors each Shockwave session to your specific needs, ensuring you get the most effective and targeted therapy.
  • Holistic, Non-Invasive Approach – Jenny prioritizes natural healing methods, helping clients avoid unnecessary surgeries, medications, and injections.  However, if more invasive modalities are indicated, Jenny can refer you to great physicians.
  • Proven Results & High Patient Satisfaction – With over 80% of patients experiencing significant pain relief, Shockwave Therapy is one of the most effective non-invasive treatments available.
  • Pay as you go:  Unlike most other providers of shockwave, Jenny does not sell packages.  Instead, she charges a package rate but without prepaying.  This way we never over treat you, and you only pay for what you need.  Shockwave is not covered by insurance. 

Start Your Recovery with Radial Pressure Wave (Shockwave) Therapy Today

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, injuries, or limited mobility, Shockwave Therapy can help you heal faster and feel better—without surgery or downtime.

📍 Located in Beaverton, OR, we proudly serve clients from Portland, Tigard, and the surrounding areas.

Schedule Your Shockwave Therapy Session Now and take the first step toward a pain-free, active life!

Schedule Your Shockwave Therapy Session

Radial Pressure Wave vs. Focused Shockwave Therapy

Feature

Radial Pressure Wave / Radial Shockwave

Focused Shockwave (PiezoWave, StemWave, OmniWave)

What it is

A broad, spreading acoustic pressure wave that targets superficial tissues up to 3–4 cm deep. 

A high-intensity, converging acoustic pressure wave that targets deep tissues up to 10–12 cm deep.

Mechanism of Action

Superficial Micro-Trauma & Repair:

 Spreads outward like a cone, creating a broad field of controlled micro-trauma. This stimulates fibroblast activity to accelerate collagen synthesis and align tendon fibers. It also triggers angiogenesis (new blood vessels) and neurogenesis (nerve pathway repair) to boost circulation and relieve pain.

Deep Micro-Trauma & Remodeling:  Converges like a magnifying glass to create highly concentrated, intense micro-trauma deep in a specific spot. This triggers profound neurogenesis (new nerve pathways), angiogenesis (new blood vessels), and rapid collagen synthesis to rebuild damaged, deep-seated tissue.

Patient Comfort

High Patient Tolerance:  The pressure waves are diffuse and shallow. A therapist can comfortably deliver standard protocols (e.g., 2,000 to 3,000 shocks) to multiple large muscle groups or superficial tendons in a single session without having to turn down the energy or cut the treatment short. It acts like an aggressive deep-tissue stimulus that patients tolerate very well without system exhaustion.
Nervous System Fatigue & Sensitization:  The pinpoint, deep energy delivers high-intensity waves to deep, sensitive structures, meaning the physical toll on the nervous system accumulates rapidly. A patient typically hits their absolute physical tolerance limit after 1–2 sites. Attempting more sites causes the nervous system to undergo sensitization, triggering global exhaustion and heightened post-session soreness.

Best Used For

  1. Plantar fasciitis
  2. Achilles tendonopathy
  3. Tennis elbow / Lateral epicondylitis
  4. Golfer’s elbow / Medial epicondylitis
  5. Patellar tendonopathy
  6. Superficial calcific tendinitis
  7. Myofascial trigger points
  8. Shin splints
  9. Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
  10. Broad muscle tightness
  1. Bone stress injuries
  2. Non-union or delayed fractures
  3. Deep calcific tendonitis
  4. Deep joint capsule pathology
  5. Deep gluteal or hip flexor pain
  6. Proximal hamstring tendonopathy

Number of Treatment Areas per Session

Broad Regional Focus:  Multiple sites are allowed. Because the energy is lower and covers a wider area, therapists can comfortably treat multiple muscle groups or joints in a single visit without over-taxing your body’s healing budget, losing efficacy, or risking tissue overtreatment.

Targeted Isolation Treatment: Strictly limited to 1–2 sites max. Administering high-intensity shockwaves to a very high total number of sites in one visit can strain the patient, lead to localized tissue overtreatment, and spread your body’s specialized “healing budget”(blood flow, macrophages, and growth factors) too thin, slowing down the repair rate at each individual site.

Efficacy & Accuracy

Structural Tracking: Follows specialized anatomical structural paths or full tendon zones effectively, making it highly effective for treating full lengths of soft tissue and widespread muscle zones.

Pinpoint Targeting:  Relies entirely on your real-time feedback during the session to locate and hit the specific site of damaged tissue. If too many areas are attempted, your ability to provide accurate feedback diminishes. This feedback fatigue lowers the overall positioning precision and therapeutic efficacy of subsequent sites.

Risk of Reducing Healing Efficacy Across Multiple Sites

Low:  Due to broad, superficial, lower-energy delivery.

High: Due to pinpoint energy thresholds and nerve fatigue.

Impact on Targeting Accuracy

None:  Covers a broad area; no pinpoint tracking needed.

Severe: Patient feedback fatigue causes missed targets

Risk of Over-Taxing the “Healing Budget”

Low:  Triggers controlled micro-trauma that is distributed across a wider surface area, making it easier for local tissues to manage and clear metabolic waste.
High:  Triggers highly concentrated micro-trauma packed into a microscopic zone, demanding a massive, localized metabolic repair response.

Overall Cost & Commitment

Higher Session Efficiency:  Allows multiple separate areas to be treated in a single appointment. This minimizes total clinic visits, reduces time away from work or family, and targets widespread issues simultaneously for faster broad pain reduction.
Higher Appointment Density:  Because treatment is strictly limited to 1–2 locations per visit, addressing multiple injuries requires booking separate sessions. This increases the total number of clinical appointments, extends the overall treatment timeline, and adds to cumulative travel and time commitments.

References

General Modality Definitions & Physical Differences

  1. Acoustic Wave Physics: To explain how both modalities emit acoustic pressure waves, you can reference the National Institutes of Health Shockwave Physics Overview.
  2. Focused vs. Radial Mechanics: For a peer-reviewed breakdown showing how Focused waves converge at a depth of up to 12 cm while Radial waves diverge and attenuate within 3–4 cm, look at the NIH Best Practices for Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
  3. Patient Education Overview:  For a patient-friendly baseline explanation of the technology, link to the Cleveland Clinic Acoustic Wave Therapy Guide.

 

Mechanism of Action & Mechanotransduction

  1. The Healing Process (Mechanotransduction): To prove that both types convert mechanical shock into biological healing, use the NIH Review on Shockwave Therapy Mechanisms. 
  2. Collagen, Angiogenesis, & Cellular Repair: To back up claims regarding fibroblast stimulation, collagen synthesis, and new blood vessel growth, link to the NIH Musculoskeletal Regeneration Study or the Cleveland Clinic Shockwave Biological Mechanisms Breakdown. 
  3. Radial Angiogenesis Evidence: To specifically show that radial pressure waves independently trigger blood vessel pathways (via Wnt/β-catenin and VEGF), use the NIH Radial Shockwave Angiogenesis Study. 


Patient Comfort, Nerve Fatigue, & Sensitization

  1. Hyperstimulation Anesthesia & Pain Reset: To explain how shockwaves manipulate the nervous system and why multi-site focused waves cause nerve sensitization/fatigue, link to the Cleveland Clinic Nerve Stimulation and Gate-Control Mechanism.
  2. Avoiding Local Anesthesia (Efficacy/Feedback Loss): To back up the concept that focused treatment relies entirely on unaltered patient feedback for precision targeting, check out the NIH Focused Shockwave Protocol Optimization Study. 

 

Best Used For (Clinical Indications)

  1. Broad MSK Indications (Tendons, Fascia, & Bone): For a master list proving efficacy across plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and bone lesions, utilize the comprehensive NIH Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pathologies Review. 
  2. Bone Stress & Non-Union Fractures (Focused Specialist): To verify that deep bone conditions and non-union fractures require high-energy focused waves, refer to the NIH Focused Shockwave in Hand and Bone Surgery Report and the Mayo Clinic Musculoskeletal Care Shockwave Update.

 

Multi-Site Treatment & The “Healing Budget”

  1. Why Repetitive/Focused Dosing Matters: To validate why therapists limit focused shockwave areas to avoid sub-dosing and protect localized growth factor dynamics, you can safely link back to the NIH Management and Repetitive Session Optimization Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12883178/