If shockwave therapy is new to you, the unknown can be the most intimidating part. The good news is that a StemWave session is straightforward, comfortable for most people, and requires nothing of you afterward. Here is exactly what a visit at Journey Orthopaedic Institute looks like.
Step 1: Mapping the source
Before any treatment, we confirm the diagnosis and map the precise area to treat. Pinpointing the right spot matters, because shockwave works best when it is delivered exactly where the tissue is irritated. We pair this with your history and exam, not guesswork.
Step 2: The treatment itself
A small amount of gel is applied to the skin, and the applicator delivers focused acoustic waves over the target area. Most people feel a tapping or pulsing sensation. It is normal to feel the treatment, and the intensity is adjusted to your comfort the entire time. A typical session runs about 30 minutes. There are no needles, no medication, and no anesthesia.
Step 3: Walk out and resume
When the session ends, you are done. There is no recovery time and nothing to schedule around, so most patients head straight back to work, the gym, or the rest of their day. Some feel mild soreness in the treated area for a day or so, similar to after a good workout.
Step 4: A short series
Shockwave is usually delivered as a short series of sessions rather than a single visit. Your exact plan, how many sessions and how far apart, is set during your consultation based on your condition and goals. Many patients pair shockwave with targeted loading or physical therapy so the tissue rebuilds strength as the pain settles.
What to bring and wear
Wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being treated, for example shorts for a knee or a tank top for a shoulder. That is really all the preparation needed.
Clear pricing, no surprises
JOI is a cash-based, out-of-network Direct Specialty Care practice, so you know the price before you book. StemWave shockwave is cash only. It is not covered by any insurance, so there is no claim to file and nothing arrives afterwards. The price you see is the entire transaction. The consultation is $50 and a single session is $200. Most patients are treated as a course rather than one visit, so the one-joint package is $1,500 and the two-joint package is $2,600. Which of these fits you is decided at your consultation, and the full list is on our pricing page. See StemWave pricing and our full price list. Ready to start? Book a visit or ask whether StemWave is right for you.