If you’re dealing with pain from an extremity injury like a sprained ankle, tennis elbow, or shoulder tendonitis—or even spinal issues like lower back or neck pain—you might be considering treatment options. Two common choices are corticosteroid injections and focused shockwave therapy. At Lake Mary Chiropractic Center, we see many patients from Sanford, Longwood, and Lake Mary who ask: Which is better for long-term healing and pain relief?
In this blog, we’ll explain what each treatment is, its pros and cons, what the research says about each, and why focused shockwave therapy is often the better choice. We’ll break it down in simple language, so you can feel confident making the best decision for your health.
What Is a Corticosteroid Injection?
Corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and pain. These injections are made from a man-made version of cortisol, a hormone your body produces to manage stress and inflammation. The steroid medication is often mixed with a numbing agent and injected directly into the painful area.
Doctors commonly recommend these shots for joint pain, tendonitis, bursitis, and even back and neck pain. You may get one in your knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, spine, or foot.
How Do Corticosteroid Injections Work? They work by calming the immune response. When your body is injured, it sends inflammatory cells to the area, which can cause swelling and pain. The corticosteroid tells the body to stop this response, which can reduce pain, but it also slows healing.
Pros of Corticosteroid Injections
- Fast pain relief: Most patients feel better within a few days.
- Convenience: The injection is usually done in a doctor’s office and takes only a few minutes.
- Short-term reduction of swelling: Helps manage pain that comes from inflammation.
These injections are sometimes used when pain is severe enough to prevent movement or sleep. Doctors may recommend them as part of a broader treatment plan, especially when physical therapy isn’t possible due to pain levels.
Cons of Corticosteroid Injections
- Temporary effects: Relief often lasts just a few weeks or months.
- Tissue damage: Over time, repeated shots can weaken tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone.
- No true healing: The inflammation is stopped, but the actual injury is not repaired.
- Risk of side effects: In some people, it can cause weight gain, increased blood sugar, or even infection.
A study in the journal Radiology (2019) found that steroid shots in joints, such as the hip or knee, can sometimes lead to serious side effects. These may include faster wear and tear of the joint, bone weakening, small fractures, or even joint collapse. While these injections are often used to reduce pain and inflammation, the long-term effects might not always be helpful, especially if the joint is already damaged or at risk.
What Is Focused Shockwave Therapy?
Focused shockwave therapy is a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment that helps the body heal itself. It uses sound waves—similar to ultrasound, but stronger—that travel through your skin to target the exact area of pain or injury.
This technology has been used for years in Europe and is now becoming more popular in the U.S. It is FDA-cleared and used by top orthopedic clinics, physical therapists, and sports medicine specialists.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work? The sound waves stimulate blood flow, break up scar tissue, and wake up the healing cells in your body. It encourages the production of collagen (a key building block of muscles, tendons, and ligaments) and activates the body’s natural repair system.
This process is called mechanotransduction. When mechanical energy (the shockwave) hits the cells, it triggers biological reactions that boost cell repair, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. Unlike medications, this process supports regeneration without introducing foreign substances into the body.
Benefits of Focused Shockwave Therapy
- Stimulates real healing: Helps repair damaged tissues, rather than just numbing the pain.
- Reduces chronic pain: Ideal for conditions that have lingered for months or even years.
- Non-invasive: No needles, no drugs, and no downtime.
- Safe and proven: Studies show excellent results with very few risks.
- Long-lasting results: Most people get lasting pain relief without needing additional treatment.
- Reduces calcification: Especially useful in cases like calcific tendonitis of the shoulder.
According to a study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shockwave therapy (ESWT) worked better than other treatments for relieving pain and improving movement in people with chronic low back pain, with no serious side effects. Overall, the results suggest ESWT is a safe and effective option. — J. Orthop Surg Res. 2023 June 24; 18(1):455.
Conditions Treated with Focused Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy works on many common injuries and painful conditions, including:
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Achilles tendonitis
- Calcific shoulder tendonitis
- Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
- Chronic neck and low back pain
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Hip bursitis
- Shin splints
Why Shockwave Therapy Is the Better Long-Term Choice
While corticosteroid injections may offer fast relief, they don’t solve the underlying problem. That means the pain often comes back. Worse, repeated injections can lead to tissue weakening, making future injury more likely.
Focused shockwave therapy, on the other hand, doesn’t mask the pain—it addresses the root cause. By increasing blood flow and promoting healing, your body actually recovers from the injury. This means you’re less likely to deal with chronic issues or repeated flare-ups in the future.
Shockwave therapy also avoids many of the systemic side effects associated with corticosteroids, such as immune suppression, hormonal imbalance, and damage to nearby tissues.
What the Research Says
Here are a few peer-reviewed studies from respected journals:
- Plantar Fasciitis – Patients with chronic plantar fasciitis treated with shockwave therapy (ESWT) had better results, fewer complications, and clearly improved more than those who received other treatments. — Foot Ankle Surgery. 2020 Jan; 26(1):33-38.
- Shoulder Injuries – Shockwave therapy was shown to be safe and effective for treating shoulder problems, helping to reduce pain, improve movement, and boost overall function in all patient groups studied.— Acta Ortopedica Brasileira. 2021 Sep-Oct;29(5):268-273.
- Knee – Shockwave therapy was found to help reduce pain, improve joint movement, and possibly slow the progression of osteoarthritis. It works by targeting changes in cartilage and bone that occur with the disease. Bioscience Reports. 2020 Nov 27;40(11).
Real Patient Success Stories
“I had plantar fasciitis for over a year. Tried orthotics, stretching, even a cortisone shot. Nothing worked long-term. After just three shockwave sessions, I noticed a huge improvement. I could finally walk in the morning without limping.” – Lisa D., Longwood
“Back pain was ruining my life. I got two injections in my spine, and each time the pain returned in weeks. My chiropractor recommended shockwave therapy. After five treatments, I’ve gone months without a flare-up. It’s been life-changing.” – Robert M., Sanford
“Tennis elbow kept me from doing the simplest things, like opening jars or lifting groceries. I was offered a steroid injection, but chose shockwave therapy instead. I’m so glad I did. It didn’t just numb the pain—it fixed it.” – Morgan K., Lake Mary
Why Choose Lake Mary Chiropractic Center?
We specialize in natural, evidence-based care for musculoskeletal pain. We’ve seen hundreds of patients from Lake Mary, Sanford, and Longwood improve with focused shockwave therapy when nothing else worked. Our experienced team will guide you through a personalized treatment plan designed to fix the cause, not just the symptoms.
We use advanced diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the exact location of your pain and track your progress throughout treatment. Many patients combine shockwave therapy with other services like spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises, or soft tissue work for optimal results.
At Lake Mary Chiropractic Center, we prioritize whole-body wellness. Pain relief is only part of the goal—restoring mobility, flexibility, and long-term function is where true success lies. That’s why we see such strong outcomes with our multi-modal approach.
Common Questions About Shockwave Therapy
1) Is shockwave therapy painful? Some patients feel mild discomfort during the session, similar to a snapping or tapping sensation. Most people say it’s tolerable, and the sessions are short (usually under 10 minutes).
2) How many treatments do I need? It depends on your condition, but most patients need between 6 and 10 sessions. Some feel better after just one.
3) Is it safe? Yes. Shockwave therapy is FDA-cleared and has been used safely for decades in Europe and the U.S.
4) Will my insurance cover it? Insurance does not cover shockwave therapy.
5) How soon will I feel better? Some patients feel relief right away. Others need a few sessions. Maximum benefits are usually felt 4–6 weeks after your final treatment.
6) What are the side effects? Side effects are very rare, but they can include: slight soreness, redness, or bruising at the treatment site.
When to Avoid Corticosteroid Injections
While these injections can help in certain emergency situations, they should be avoided if:
- You’ve already had several injections in the same area
- Your injury is chronic and hasn’t improved with rest
- You’re an athlete or physically active and need to protect your tissues
- You have concerns about side effects like blood sugar changes or tissue damage
In these cases, a healing-focused option like shockwave therapy is likely the better and safer route.
A Smarter Path to Healing
You deserve more than a temporary fix. Focused shockwave therapy helps your body heal the natural way—without drugs, needles, or risky side effects.
Corticosteroid injections may seem like the easy option, but they often just delay the problem. If you’re ready to finally heal and feel good again, focused shockwave therapy is the treatment to consider.
The benefits of healing over masking pain are clear, and the research supports it. When you invest in therapies that encourage natural recovery, you’re investing in long-term health and quality of life.
Ready to Feel Better? Call Us Today
Let’s get to the root of your pain and start your recovery today. Call Lake Mary Chiropractic Center at 407.302.5161 to schedule your consultation.
We serve patients from Sanford, Longwood, and Lake Mary, and we’re here to help you return to the activities you love—pain-free.
Visit us online at LakeMaryChiropractic.com to learn more or book an appointment.
