5 Reasons Orthohealing Center Uses Shockwave Therapy + PRP for Tendon Pain
January 19, 2026
The team at Orthohealing Center treats tendon pain not just to reduce symptoms—but to stimulate healing and restore function. Two of the most effective tools in our regenerative medicine toolbox are shockwave therapy (ESWT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Both have strong scientific rationale and clinical experience behind them, and when used together, they offer synergistic benefits that go beyond traditional pain treatments.
Here’s why we rely on this combination for tendon-related conditions:
1. Shockwave Therapy Enhances the Body’s Natural Healing Response
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate tissue at the cellular level. When applied to an injured tendon, these waves create controlled microtrauma that triggers the body’s innate healing processes. This includes:
- Increased blood flow to the injured area
- Stimulation of new collagen production
- Breakdown of scar tissue or calcifications that limit movement
- Reduction of local nerve pain signaling
This noninvasive modality helps jumpstart healing in tissues that are often slow to recover on their own—such as Achilles, patellar, and elbow tendons.
2. PRP Supplies High Concentrations of Growth Factors Directly Where They’re Needed
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is derived from a patient’s own blood and concentrated to contain growth factors and bioactive proteins critical for tissue regeneration. PRP has been shown to:
- Modulate inflammation
- Promote cellular recruitment and tendon matrix remodeling
- Improve pain and function in chronic tendon degeneration
In clinical studies, PRP has demonstrated effectiveness comparable to, and in some cases better than, other conservative modalities like shockwave alone—making it a cornerstone treatment for tendinopathy.
3. The Combination of Shockwave + PRP Has Synergistic Effects
One of the most compelling reasons we combine shockwave therapy with PRP is the evidence showing enhanced outcomes when the two are used together. Clinical research suggests:
- Improved pain reduction and range of motion with the combination versus PRP alone in rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Superior improvements in pain relief, functional recovery, and strength for elbow tendinopathy when ESWT is added to PRP compared to either modality alone
- Faster early pain relief and functional gains in tendon conditions like patellar tendinopathy
This synergy likely results from shockwave’s enhancement of tissue permeability and vascularity, which may allow the biologic effects of PRP to be more fully realized at the target site.
4. Real-World Clinical Results Support What the Research Shows
At Orthohealing Center, Dr. Sampson and Dr. Aufiero rigorously track patient outcomes. Dr. Sampson was invited to present at the NBA Combine on the effectiveness of shockwave therapy — particularly when integrated into comprehensive regenerative medicine protocols including PRP and other adjunctive treatments.
In clinic data showcased at the event, patients treated with protocols that included shockwave therapy saw:
- Rapid and measurable reductions in pain
- Faster return of function
- Improvements in daily activities such as stair-limbing within months of treatment
These real-world outcomes align with the scientific literature and reinforce why this combined approach works so well for tendon pain.
5. The Treatment Is Nonsurgical, Minimally-Invasive, and Well-Tolerated
One of the biggest advantages of shockwave + PRP over traditional surgical intervention is recovery experience. Both treatments:
- Are done in-office
- Require minimal downtime
- Avoid the risks associated with surgery
- Frequently allow patients to return to activity quickly
Shockwave is well-tolerated and provides pain relief that can begin even after the first few sessions, with cumulative improvements over subsequent treatments.
What This Means for You
If you’re struggling with chronic tendon pain—whether from athletic overuse, degeneration, or a stubborn injury that hasn’t responded to rest, physical therapy, or injections—the combination of shockwave therapy and PRP offers a powerful, evidence-informed, nonsurgical pathway to healing.
At Orthohealing Center, we tailor these regenerative medicine treatments to your condition and goals, ensuring you get the right level of care—not just pain relief, but long-term recovery and function.
📞 Contact us today to see if shockwave therapy and PRP could be right for your tendon pain.
Research Links:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10820784/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003999325004460
