We’re excited to share that Savvy Physical Therapy, our in-house PT partner here at Rocky Mountain Flex, now offers shockwave therapy. Dr. Ryan has been using advanced, performance-focused treatment methods since they joined us here at the gym in 2023, and shockwave therapy is a natural extension of that approach.
While shockwave therapy is best known for treating stubborn tendon pain, it also offers benefits for other musculoskeletal issues that can limit training, recovery, and performance. If you’re active, train hard, and feel like certain aches just won’t resolve, this is something you’ll want to explore.
Shockwave therapy has been used for years in sports medicine and orthopedics and is now part of Savvy PT’s advanced treatment toolbox.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy has been around since the late 1960s and is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted pressure waves to stimulate healing in injured tissue.
These pressure waves help increase circulation, stimulate cellular repair, and improve tissue quality. Unlike treatments that simply calm symptoms, shockwave therapy works by restarting the body’s natural healing response in areas that have stalled.
Sessions are short, more affordable than normal PT appointments, performed by Dr. Ryan, a licensed physical therapist, doesn’t involve injections, dry needling, or surgery.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave therapy delivers controlled pressure waves into targeted tissue. These waves:
- Increase local blood flow
- Stimulate collagen and tissue remodeling
- Improve the body’s ability to tolerate load
At Savvy PT, shockwave therapy is never used in isolation. It’s combined with strengthening, mobility work, and movement correction so the treated area doesn’t just feel better, it becomes more resilient and ready to return to your activity pain free.
This makes shockwave therapy useful not only for pain relief, but also for improving how the body responds to training and recovery.
Who Does Shockwave Therapy Help?
Shockwave therapy is most commonly used for chronic tendon issues, including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Tennis elbow & golfer’s elbow
- Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
- Rotator cuff tendon pain
Beyond tendons, shockwave therapy can also help with:
- Muscle trigger points (knots)
- Chronic soft tissue tightness
- Calcific shoulder tendon conditions
- Areas with poor blood flow that are slow to heal, like the meniscus
It’s a strong option if your pain has lingered for months, keeps returning with training after resting it, or hasn’t fully responded to traditional treatments alone.
What Shockwave Therapy Is Not For
Shockwave therapy is a powerful tool, but it’s not for every situation.
It may not be appropriate if:
- Pain is acute or brand new
- There’s an unstable fracture or acute tear
- Symptoms are driven primarily by nerve irritation
- The issue would resolve with simple rest or short-term modification
That’s why at Savvy PT, shockwave therapy always starts with a full physical therapy evaluation. The goal is to use shockwave therapy strategically, not blindly, and only when it truly supports long-term recovery.
If you’re dealing with pain that feels stuck, like it never healed, or you just can’t get over the hump, shockwave therapy may help move things forward. Dr. Ryan offers a free 15 minute phone consultation to talk through your situation and find out if shockwave therapy is the right fit for you.
Want to Learn More?
Learn more about Shockwave Therapy at Savvy PT: https://thesavvypt.com/shockwavetherapy
You’ll find details on conditions treated, what sessions feel like, and how shockwave therapy fits into a smart, performance-focused recovery plan.
Savvy PT is located right here inside Rocky Mountain Flex and we’re proud to have a PT partner that brings this level of care directly to our members.
About
Dr. Ryan Smith, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Dr. Ryan is a Physical Therapist who has been working in Denver since 2011. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Southern California and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Bond University in Queensland, Australia, in 2011. Over the years, he has worked in various inpatient and outpatient clinics, gaining experience with a wide range of conditions, and started his own Physical Therapy clinic in Denver to offer the best possible care without being constrained by insurance companies.
Dr. Ryan’s interests are in orthopedic therapy, pain relief, and body mechanics, and he’s passionate about helping patients eliminate pain and restore functional movement. He is focused on treating injury and dysfunction of the joints and muscles, promoting whole-body mobility, and helping people restore functional movement so they can use their bodies at full capacity for the things they love to do. His latest addition to the clinic, shockwave therapy, reflects his commitment to bringing advanced, evidence-based treatments to his patients for faster and more effective recovery.
As a former soccer and rugby player who also trains Jiu Jitsu, Dr. Ryan understands the pain, frustration, and motivation to get back to doing what you love, and is committed to helping his patients achieve that.
