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Boulder Sports Clinic
Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain in Boulder, CO
Non-Surgical Treatment for Chronic Shoulder Pain & Tendon Injuries
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300+ 5 star reviews
Shoulder pain
Shockwave Therapy for
Shoulder Pain
in Boulder, CO
If you’ve been dealing with persistent shoulder pain that hasn’t improved with rest, exercises, or traditional therapy, shockwave therapy may be the next step. At Boulder Sports Clinic, we use shockwave therapy to help patients in Boulder reduce pain, stimulate healing, and return to activity — without injections or surgery.
If you’re searching for shockwave therapy for shoulder pain in Boulder, our team offers advanced, evidence-based care designed to treat the source of the problem.You can also learn more about our comprehensive physical therapy services in Boulder.
📍 Helping Boulder, Colorado and Surrounding Area
📅 Same-Day appointments often available
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Quick Answer: Can Shockwave Therapy Help Shoulder Pain?
Yes. Shockwave therapy can help many types of shoulder pain — especially chronic tendon injuries — by stimulating blood flow, breaking down unhealthy scar tissue, and jump-starting the body’s natural healing response. It’s commonly used for rotator cuff tendinopathy, calcific tendonitis, and long-standing shoulder pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (also called EPAT or ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy acoustic waves into injured tissue. These sound waves:
- Increase blood flow
- Stimulate collagen production
- Break down chronic scar tissue and calcifications
- Reduce pain signaling
Unlike passive treatments that only calm symptoms, shockwave therapy helps restart the healing process.
Learn more about our full shockwave therapy services in Boulder [insert link].
Learn more about our full shockwave therapy services in Boulder [insert link].
What Causes Chronic Shoulder Pain?
Many shoulder injuries become chronic when tissue healing stalls.
Common contributors include:
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Calcific tendonitis
- Repetitive overhead activity
- Poor shoulder or scapular mechanics
- Training errors or overuse
- Previous injuries or surgery or Incomplete rehab after injury
In these cases, pain persists not because the shoulder is “weak,” but because the tissue never fully healed. A comprehensive approach to shoulder pain treatment in Boulder [insert link] often includes shockwave therapy when standard care stalls.
Shoulder Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Help
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy or Tears
Pain or weakness with lifting, reaching, or overhead movement.
Shoulder Impingement
Pain when raising the arm, often related to movement or posture issues.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Progressive stiffness and loss of motion that benefits from guided mobility work.
Labral-Related Shoulder Pain
Deep shoulder pain or instability, often in active or athletic individuals.
Calcific Tendonitis
Painful calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendons.
Shoulder Bursitis
Subacromial bursitis responds well to shockwave therapy
Post-Surgical or Post-Injury Shoulder Pain
Lingering pain, stiffness, or weakness after rotator cuff repair, collar bone fracture, or labral surgery or trauma.
How Shockwave Therapy Treats Shoulder Pain
Shockwave therapy targets the injured tissue directly using high-energy sound waves to reduce pain, break down calcium deposits, and stimulate the body's natural healing in chronic, stubborn, or recurring shoulder inflammation. The sound waves increase collagen production and stimulate blood flow in the targeted tissue to get you out of pain quickly.
What Makes Our Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain Different?
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we are the only clinic in Boulder and surrounding area to offer a fully integrated treatment approach. We pair shockwave therapy with other service offerings in your treatment plan to get you better ASAP.
Many people with shoulder pain have tried rest, stretching, or medication with limited success.
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we:
Many people with shoulder pain have tried rest, stretching, or medication with limited success.
At Boulder Sports Clinic, we:
- Evaluate the entire shoulder complex — not just where it hurts
- Treat athletes, climbers, lifters, swimmers, and active adults. We're committed to helping you get back to what you love.
- Combine shockwave therapy with active rehab when appropriate
- Focus on long-term recovery, not just short-term pain relief
- Integrate other services like chiropractic, massage, and physical therapy when appropriate
- Offer supportive therapies like laser therapy, dry needling, etc that compliment shockwave to improve results when appropriate.
This integrated approach supports long-term results and fewer flare-ups as part of our full shoulder pain treatment in Boulder, helping patients recover fully and confidently.
What to Expect at Your First Shockwave Therapy Visit
Your first visit includes:
- A detailed history of your shoulder pain and activity goals
- Assessment of shoulder, scapular, and upper-back movement
- Strength testing and movement analysis
- The therapy session itself lasts about 5–10 minutes
- Treatment is non-invasive and performed in-office
- Mild discomfort during treatment is normal and temporary
- There are no activity limitations after each session
A typical plan includes 6-8 sessions for full resolution of symptoms, depending on the condition. Relief is typically seen in just a few visits.
How Long Does ShockwaveTherapy Take to Help Shoulder Pain?
Many patients notice improvement after the first or second session, with continued progress over several weeks as tissue healing improves. Chronic tendon issues often respond best when shockwave therapy is paired with guided strengthening. Full resolution of symptoms is expected in 6-8 sessions.
Who We Help
We commonly help people who:
- Have shoulder pain with lifting or reaching overhead
- Experience pain while sleeping on their side
- Have been told they have tendinitis or tendon degeneration
- Want to avoid injections or surgery if possible
- Didn’t improve with rest, injections, or basic therapy
- Want to avoid surgery if possible
- Are active and want to return to sport or lifting
If this sounds like you, our shockwave therapy services in Boulder may be a great fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain
Can shockwave therapy really help rotator cuff pain?
Yes. Shockwave therapy is commonly used for chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy and calcific tendonitis.
How many shockwave sessions will I need?
Most shoulder conditions respond well to 6-8 sessions, spaced about one week apart.
Is shockwave therapy safe?
Yes. Shockwave therapy is FDA-cleared and considered safe when performed by trained providers.
Do I need imaging before starting shockwave therapy?
No. A thorough exam often determines next steps. Imaging may be recommended if needed. We can send you for x-rays or an MRI if needed.
Will I need physical therapy too?
While not always necessary, most patients get better and faster results with the combination approach. Combining shockwave therapy with strengthening and movement retraining improves long-term outcomes.
Is shockwave therapy better than injections for shoulder pain?
In many cases, shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive alternative that stimulates healing rather than masking pain.
Is shockwave therapy painful?
Most patients describe the sensation as uncomfortable but tolerable. Discomfort decreases as tissue health improves.
We can help
Shockwave Therapy for Shoulder Pain Boulder Sports Clinic
You don’t have to live with shoulder pain. Get back to what you love.
Book your Treatment with Boulder Sports Clinic today and take the first step towards a pain-free life!
