Shockwave Therapy in boulder, colorado

Are you struggling with chronic pain, muscle tension, or slow-healing injuries?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate circulation and support the body’s natural healing process.

At Destination Chiropractic, we offer shockwave therapy as a focused, supportive option for people dealing with stubborn or recurring soft tissue discomfort. This is especially helpful when pain or restriction has not fully resolved with rest, stretching, or other care.

Our approach is thoughtful and personalized. Each visit is designed to meet your body where it is and help encourage ease, movement, and recovery.

Fast, Effective Pain Relief Without Surgery or Medication

✔ Speeds up recovery

✔ Reduces inflammation and pain

✔ Breaks up scar tissue and adhesions

✔ Improves mobility and function

✔ Speeds up recovery ✔ Reduces inflammation and pain ✔ Breaks up scar tissue and adhesions ✔ Improves mobility and function

Shockwave therapy works by delivering targeted acoustic waves into specific areas of soft tissue that need additional support.

These sound waves help increase local circulation and stimulate cellular activity in areas that may be slow to heal, especially when discomfort has been present for an extended period of time.

This approach allows the body to recognize areas that have become under-supported and encourages a renewed healing response.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Dr. Leslie performing shockwave therapy on a patient’s shoulder at Destination Chiropractic in Boulder, Colorado

Shockwave therapy is for people who feel like their body has been asking for a little extra support.

It can be a helpful option for those dealing with discomfort that keeps returning, movement that feels restricted, or areas that simply do not seem to improve with time, rest, or stretching.

Who Shockwave Therapy May Help

Dr. Leslie using shockwave therapy on a patient’s knee at Destination Chiropractic in Boulder, Colorado

This approach is often chosen by people who:

  • Have pain that has lingered for weeks or months

  • Feel limited in movement or flexibility

  • Experience recurring flare-ups in the same area

  • Notice stiffness or discomfort during daily activities

  • Have tried other conservative care with limited improvement

  • Want a non-invasive option before considering injections or surgery

  • Prefer care that works with the body rather than forcing change

Shockwave therapy is not just for athletes. Many people seek this care for everyday aches related to work demands, posture, stress, or the physical rhythm of daily life.

Dana M.:

“I went to Dr. Leslie for shockwave therapy to treat a running injury I have been dealing with for months! After just one session, my tendonitis already feels so much better. I highly recommend her!!”

Line illustration of lower extremity anatomy

Conditions Shockwave Therapy may Help With

Shockwave therapy is commonly used to support a wide range of soft tissue concerns involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.

It may be helpful for:

  • Heel pain and plantar fasciitis

  • Achilles tendon discomfort

  • Shoulder pain including rotator cuff irritation

  • Elbow pain such as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow

  • Knee pain including patellar tendon irritation

  • Shin discomfort or shin splints

  • Hip pain including bursitis

  • Chronic tendon or ligament irritation

  • Muscle tightness and tension

  • Trigger points or sensitive muscle areas

  • Repetitive strain from work, movement, or posture

  • Lingering soft tissue discomfort that has not fully resolved

What to Expect During a Shockwave Therapy Visit

We aim to make your first visit feel simple, supportive, and stress free, with clear communication and complete cost transparency.

Your Initial Shockwave Therapy appointment is $99 and includes:

  • A review of your health history, symptoms, and goals

  • An assessment of the area you are seeking care for

  • Your first shockwave treatment

  • Guidance on what to expect moving forward

Together, we will create a personalized care plan designed to support tissue healing, improve movement, and help your body respond more effectively over time.

  • Dr. Leslie will evaluate your condition and determine if Shockwave Therapy is the right fit for you.

  • Dr. Leslie will apply gel to the affected body part to assist with glide, and use a radial shockwave device to deliver compressed air impulses over the injured area in a slow, circular motion. While mild discomfort may occur during treatment, adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort. You are always in control!

  • You may feel mild soreness afterward, like post-workout aches, lasting a day or two. Most patients experience relief after just 1-3 sessions. Many see significant improvement after 6-12 sessions, with continued progress over 4–8 weeks as tissues heal. Dr. Leslie will recommend the best treatment plan after thoroughly reviewing your history and condition.

why choose destination chiropractic

At Destination Chiropractic, our goal is to make care feel approachable, supportive, and empowering.

Your care is led by Dr. Leslie Mitzel, a licensed chiropractor with advanced training in soft tissue care and shockwave therapy, as well as a background in athletic training. Her approach blends clinical experience with a deep understanding of the nervous system and how the body responds to stress, injury, and movement.

What sets our care apart:

✔ Care guided by an experienced, chiropractor-led practice

✔ Nervous system focused approach that prioritizes comfort and safety

✔ Individualized treatment plans based on your goals and history

✔ Clear, upfront pricing with no long-term commitments

✔ A calm, welcoming environment designed to reduce stress

✔ A convenient Boulder location with easy parking and elevator access

✔ Shockwave therapy used intentionally, not as a one-size solution

Whether you are just beginning your care journey or looking for a new way to support your body, our team is here to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.

FAQs

  • If available, please bring any imaging taken within the last year. To ensure the doctor has time to review your information, please fill out any necessary paperwork in advance or arrive 30 minutes early for your appointment. We strive to make your first visit as easeful as possible, so give us a call if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, we recommend preparing a list of questions you want to make sure are addressed during your visit.

  • For shockwave therapy, the affected area may need to be exposed, so please wear clothing that allows easy access to that area. Coming directly from work or another place? No worries! We have clothing available for you to change into if needed for your convenience.

  • Many patients feel initial relief after just 1-3 sessions, and see significant improvement after 6-12 sessions, with continued progress over 4–8 weeks as tissues heal. Dr. Leslie will recommend an appropriate course of treatment after a thorough review of your history and condition.

  • No, you do not need a referral to schedule an appointment for for shockwave therapy. You can directly book a consultation or treatment with Dr. Leslie.

  • Shockwave therapy can cause some discomfort during the treatment, particularly in areas of chronic pain or injury. However, the sensation is typically brief and subsides shortly after the treatment. The intensity of the treatment can be adjusted as needed at any time during your session based on your comfort level.

  • Your initial appointment will be approximately 30 minutes to allow time for a thorough evaluation of your medical history, symptoms, and goals, followed by your first treatment.

    For continuing treatments, session lengths depend on the area being treated but typically last 10–15 minutes. Our goal is to provide effective, targeted care in a timely manner.

  • Yes, Shockwave Therapy is a safe treatment used worldwide for pain relief and tissue healing. It's non-invasive, requires no medications or surgery, and has minimal side effects. Some patients may experience mild discomfort during treatment or soreness afterward, similar to post-workout aches, which usually subsides within a day or two. Dr. Leslie will ensure your treatment is adjusted for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

  • Shockwave Therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects. The most common side effects include:

    • Mild discomfort during treatment (usually well-tolerated).

    • Soreness, redness, or swelling in the treated area, similar to post-workout muscle aches.

    • Bruising or tingling (rare and usually temporary).

    These effects typically subside within a day or two. Dr. Leslie will adjust your treatment as needed to ensure your comfort and safety.

  • Shockwave therapy is unsuitable in the following circumstances:

    • If you are pregnant

    • If you have a blood clotting disorder (including thrombosis)

    • If you are taking oral anti-coagulants

    • If you have received a steroid injection within the past 6 weeks

    • If you have a pacemaker

    • If tumors are present at the treatment site

    • If you have an infection or skin abrasion at the treatment site

    • If you are under 18 (except for the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease)

    • If the treatment site is located over an air-filled area, such as the lungs or intestines

    This list is not exhaustive, and a thorough assessment is always required. Based on our experience, certain treatments, conditions, and individual histories may respond differently, and a tailored evaluation will help determine the suitability of shockwave therapy.

  • Yes, Shockwave Therapy is highly effective for chronic pain that hasn't responded to other treatments. By delivering high-energy sound waves to the affected area, it triggers your body’s natural healing response, promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and breaking down scar tissue.

    For many patients dealing with conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, and chronic joint or muscle pain, Shockwave Therapy provides lasting pain relief and improved mobility. Dr. Leslie will assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan to help you feel better.

  • You can typically return to normal activities after each session, though it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise or activities that may strain the treated area for a day or two.

  • Yes, Shockwave Therapy can be effectively combined with other treatments to enhance healing and maximize results. As a highly skilled chiropractor, Dr. Leslie often integrates Shockwave Therapy with chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and soft tissue techniques to address the root cause of pain and improve overall function.

    It's important to note that chiropractic care is a separate treatment with different pricing. During your consultation, Dr. Leslie will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals, ensuring you receive the most effective care possible.

Book your shockwave therapy visit

Ready to see if shockwave therapy is the right fit for your body?
Schedule your visit and we’ll guide you from there.


Not Sure If You're Ready to Book Your First Session?

That’s okay! You are welcome to schedule a free 10-minute consultation with Dr. Leslie by phone or virtual visit.

This is a chance to ask questions, talk through what you are experiencing, and explore whether shockwave therapy feels like the right fit for your body.

There is no pressure and no obligation. Just guidance and clarity.

Schedule a Free 10-Minute Consultation