Breakthrough Healing: How Shockwave and Cold Laser Therapy Support Your Chiropractic Recovery

Falling victim to chronic muscle and joint pain? You're not alone - find out how shockwave and laser therapy can help you get back to doing the things you love this summer. Dr. Kevin Tucker and Dr. Jose Guerra, your trusted chiropractors in Blue Springs, are here to help.

At Tucker Chiropractic, we believe in combining the power of hands-on care with modern, evidence-based technologies to help our patients heal faster and more completely. Two of the most effective tools we offer—shockwave therapy and Class 3 cold laser therapy—are changing the game for those suffering from stubborn pain or long-standing injuries.

Whether you're dealing with plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, or chronic back pain, these therapies offer non-invasive relief and real results.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate healing in injured soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Think of it as a "wake-up call" for damaged tissue. These acoustic pulses help:

1. Increase blood flow

2. Break down scar tissue and calcifications

3. Stimulate collagen production

4. Reduce pain by influencing nerve activity

   Each session typically lasts 5–10 minutes and is performed right here in our office without the need for injections, downtime, or surgery.

What Conditions Does Shockwave Treat?

Shockwave therapy is especially helpful for injuries caused by repetitive stress, poor biomechanics, or long-standing inflammation. We often use it to treat:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendinitis

• Tennis and golfer’s elbow

  

• Rotator cuff pain

• Shin splints

• Hip bursitis

• Chronic muscle trigger points

If you've been trying to heal with rest, stretches, or other conservative approaches and aren’t getting better, shockwave could be the missing piece.

Can It Help with Chronic Pain?

Yes—especially when chronic pain is tied to soft tissue damage, scar formation, or poor circulation. Chronic conditions we often see in our office that respond well include:

• Chronic tendon pain

• Non-healing soft tissue injuries

• Old sports injuries

• Scar tissue adhesions

• Persistent lower back pain

Shockwave therapy encourages the body to re-start the healing process, even in tissues that have been “stuck” in a state of chronic inflammation or degeneration for months—or even years.

Why Add Cold Laser Therapy?

To take results to the next level, we often pair shockwave with Class 3 cold laser therapy (also called low-level laser therapy). While shockwave triggers a mechanical healing response, cold laser works on a cellular level.

Cold laser uses specific light wavelengths to:

• Stimulate ATP production (cellular energy)

  

• Accelerate tissue repair

• Reduce inflammation

• Promote new cell growth

This dual approach works synergistically to reduce pain, speed healing, and improve overall tissue health—especially valuable when dealing with stubborn or chronic injuries.

Benefits of This Combined Approach

By using both shockwave and cold laser therapies in conjunction with your chiropractic adjustments, you're getting:

• Faster pain relief

• Shorter recovery time

• Improved blood flow and oxygenation

• Better long-term outcomes

• Non-invasive, drug-free care

It’s a great option for those looking to stay active, avoid surgery, or minimize the use of medications.

What to Expect at Your Visit

If you’re a candidate for shockwave and cold laser therapy, Dr. Kevin Tucker and Dr. Jose Guerra will tailor a treatment plan based on your condition and goals. Most patients need a series of sessions over a few weeks to get full results.

The therapies are quick, comfortable, and require no downtime. You may feel some mild soreness afterward (similar to post-exercise soreness), but this typically resolves within 24–48 hours.

Does It Really Work?

Yes—there’s strong clinical evidence behind both therapies.

For example, research shows that up to 80% of patients with plantar fasciitis report significant improvement after a course of shockwave therapy. Studies also show improvements in conditions like tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and calcific shoulder pain.

When combined with chiropractic adjustments and functional rehab, the results are even more promising—helping you get back to your normal activities faster and more fully.

Is It Right for You?

Shockwave and cold laser therapy are excellent options for patients who:

• Want to avoid surgery or injections

• Are frustrated with slow healing or recurring pain

• Need to address inflammation, scar tissue, or overuse injuries

• Are looking for safe, holistic alternatives to pain meds

During your consultation, we’ll perform a full assessment and determine if these therapies will complement your chiropractic care.

Ready to Experience the Benefits?

If you’ve been sidelined by pain, tried everything, or just want a modern approach to healing that works with your body—not against it—we’d love to help.

📞 Call or text us at (816) 228-8900 to schedule your consultation at Tucker Chiropractic with Dr. Kevin Tucker and Dr. Jose Guerra. Let’s work together to get you feeling better, faster.

References

1. Mani-Babu, S. et al. (2015). The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in lower limb tendinopathy: A systematic review. Am J Sports Med, 43(3), 752–761.

2. Speed, C. (2014). A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions. Br J Sports Med, 48(21), 1538–1542.

3. Bjordal, J. M. et al. (2006). Low-level laser therapy in acute pain: A systematic review. Photomed Laser Surg, 24(2), 158–168.

4. Manganotti, P., & Amelio, E. (2005). Long-term effect of shock wave therapy on upper limb hypertonia. Stroke, 36(9), 1967–1971.

Schedule an appointment with your Blue Springs Chiropractors at: https://tuckerchiro.com/choose-provider-new