Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain: What to Expect in Cumming, GA

Dr. Catie Cortner, DC - Arise Family Chiropractic
Medically reviewed by Dr. Catie Cortner, DC. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Shockwave therapy for knee pain is a non-invasive, drug-free option that delivers acoustic energy deep into inflamed joint tissue to help reduce pain and support the body's natural healing process. Research suggests that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) may promote tissue-level changes — including improved circulation and reduced inflammation — that are relevant to chronic musculoskeletal conditions [1]. At SoftWave Therapy Cumming, located at 5456 Bethelview Rd in Cumming, Georgia, Dr. Catie Cortner, DC, provides SoftWave Therapy as a non-surgical option for patients dealing with knee pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic joint inflammation who want to avoid medication or surgery.

What Is Knee Pain — and Why Does It Become Chronic?

Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints affecting adults, and it comes in many forms. Acute knee injuries — sprains, strains, meniscus tears — tend to have a clear cause and a relatively defined recovery arc. Chronic knee pain is different. It often builds gradually, lingers for months or years, and resists the standard approaches of rest, anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common chronic form. In knee OA, the cartilage that cushions the joint gradually wears down, leaving bone surfaces in closer contact. The result is stiffness, swelling, aching, and reduced range of motion — especially first thing in the morning, after prolonged sitting, or after activity. Beyond OA, chronic knee pain can also stem from patellar tendinopathy (inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone), iliotibial (IT) band syndrome, bursitis, or post-surgical scar tissue.

What these conditions share is a tissue environment that has struggled to resolve on its own — often characterized by poor local circulation, low-grade chronic inflammation, and incomplete tissue repair. That biological backdrop is exactly where shockwave therapy is designed to intervene.

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work for Knee Conditions?

Shockwave therapy — specifically the electrohydraulic acoustic wave technology used in SoftWave Therapy — works by delivering high-energy acoustic waves to targeted tissue. These waves create a mechanical stimulus at the cellular level that can trigger several responses thought to support tissue recovery [1].

Mechanistic research indicates that ESWT may promote angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), which improves circulation to chronically under-perfused tissue [1]. It may also stimulate the release of growth factors involved in tissue repair and help modulate the inflammatory signaling that keeps chronic pain cycles going [2].

For knee conditions specifically, the goal is to reach the structures most involved — the joint capsule, the surrounding tendons, the infrapatellar fat pad — with enough acoustic energy to stimulate a healing response at depth, without damaging surface tissue. SoftWave's electrohydraulic technology is designed to deliver a broader, unfocused wave that can cover larger tissue areas than traditional focused ESWT devices, making it well-suited for a joint as anatomically complex as the knee.

It is important to note that shockwave therapy does not rebuild cartilage that has already been lost due to osteoarthritis. What the evidence and clinical rationale support is its potential to reduce pain, decrease inflammation in the surrounding soft tissues, and improve function — outcomes that can be meaningful for patients who are not yet candidates for surgery, or who simply want to exhaust conservative options first.

What to Expect at SoftWave Therapy Cumming for Knee Pain

Is a Consultation Required Before Treatment Begins?

Yes — and it is an important first step. At SoftWave Therapy Cumming, every new patient begins with a thorough initial evaluation. Dr. Cortner reviews your health history, the onset and pattern of your knee symptoms, any prior imaging (X-rays or MRI) you have available, and your current activity level and goals.

This visit typically runs 30 minutes. It includes a health history review, a physical and functional assessment of the knee, a review of any applicable imaging, and a brief review of findings with the patient. If you are a good candidate for SoftWave Therapy, your first session can often begin on the same visit.

What Does a SoftWave Session for the Knee Feel Like?

Each SoftWave Therapy session is relatively brief — sessions typically run 10 to 15 minutes. The SoftWave device is applied directly over the knee with a coupling gel, similar to an ultrasound. Patients often describe a tapping or pulsing sensation. Most people tolerate the session well; some areas of more acute tenderness may feel more intense. There is no anesthesia, no needles, and no downtime — most patients return to normal activities immediately after.

How Many Sessions Are Usually Needed?

For knee pain, SoftWave Therapy typically involves 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. This course of care reflects how the technology works: acoustic wave therapy is a process, not a single-dose treatment. Each session builds on the last, and many patients begin noticing changes within the first few visits — though individual responses vary, and specific timelines are always discussed at a follow-up care-recommendations visit.

What About After Treatment?

After a SoftWave session, patients are generally able to go about their day normally. Some patients experience mild, temporary achiness in the treated area — similar to mild post-exercise soreness — but this is not universal, and significant discomfort after a session is not expected.

Shockwave Therapy vs. Other Conservative Approaches for Knee Pain

When knee pain has not responded to rest, over-the-counter medications, or standard physical therapy, patients often find themselves weighing a range of next steps. The table below offers an educational comparison of common conservative and interventional approaches. This is not a recommendation for or against any specific path — the right approach depends entirely on your individual presentation, imaging findings, and goals, and should be discussed with your care team.

When Should You Seek Other Care for Knee Pain?

Shockwave therapy is a conservative option — and like all conservative options, it is not the right fit for every patient or every presentation. There are situations where a different level of care is more appropriate:

• Significant structural damage: If imaging shows advanced bone-on-bone OA with severe cartilage loss, or a complete tendon or ligament rupture, a surgical consultation may be the more appropriate next step.
• Signs of infection or acute inflammatory arthritis: Sudden-onset joint swelling with warmth, redness, and fever should be evaluated medically before any manual or device-based therapy.
• Worsening neurological symptoms: New or worsening numbness, weakness, or instability in the knee or leg warrants prompt medical evaluation.
• Symptoms not improving with conservative care: If several weeks of consistent conservative treatment — whether shockwave, PT, or other approaches — produce no meaningful change, a reassessment and possible referral is the right call.

Dr. Cortner is straightforward with patients about scope. If SoftWave Therapy is not the right fit for your knee condition, she will tell you, and she is happy to coordinate with other providers in the Cumming area, including specialists affiliated with Northside Hospital Forsyth.

Knee Pain Care Serving Cumming, GA and Surrounding Communities

SoftWave Therapy Cumming is located at 5456 Bethelview Rd, Suite 103B — conveniently positioned in South Forsyth County, close to the Windermere and Vickery communities and just a short drive from The Collection at Forsyth and Cumming City Center.

Dr. Cortner sees patients from across the region, including those traveling from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, Dawsonville, and Ball Ground. Many patients in Forsyth County — whether they work for the Forsyth County School System, commute to employers further south in Alpharetta, or are active outdoors near Sawnee Mountain Preserve and Lake Lanier — find that chronic knee pain is limiting the activities they value most.

If knee pain is keeping you off the trails at Sawnee Mountain Preserve, making it harder to keep up with a family at Cumming City Center events, or interfering with daily work and routine, SoftWave Therapy offers a conservative, non-surgical option worth exploring. You do not need a referral to schedule a consultation — and your first visit includes a thorough evaluation before any treatment decision is made.

Shockwave therapy for knee pain is available now at SoftWave Therapy Cumming, serving patients throughout Forsyth County and the greater North Atlanta metro.

Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shockwave therapy work for knee arthritis?

Research on ESWT for knee osteoarthritis is ongoing, and results are variable depending on the severity of cartilage loss and the type of shockwave device used. The available mechanistic evidence suggests ESWT may help reduce inflammation and support circulation in the soft tissues surrounding the joint [1]. It is most likely to be beneficial for patients with mild-to-moderate OA who still have meaningful cartilage remaining, rather than those with advanced bone-on-bone arthritis. Dr. Cortner will review your imaging and history to help you understand whether SoftWave Therapy is a realistic option for your specific presentation.

Is shockwave therapy an alternative to knee surgery?

Shockwave therapy is a conservative, non-surgical option — not a surgical alternative in the clinical sense. For patients who are not yet surgical candidates, or who want to pursue non-invasive care before considering surgery, it may offer meaningful pain relief and functional improvement. However, if imaging shows advanced structural damage that surgery is designed to address (such as severe bone-on-bone OA), shockwave therapy is unlikely to substitute for that intervention. The honest answer is: it depends on what is actually causing your knee pain, which is why the evaluation visit matters.

How long do shockwave results last for knees?

Durability of results depends on several factors — including the underlying diagnosis, how long the condition has been present, and whether contributing factors (activity level, weight, gait mechanics) are also being addressed. For chronic tendon-related knee pain, the evidence base for ESWT suggests improvements can be sustained for months following a completed course of care. For osteoarthritis, results tend to be more variable. Specific expectations are discussed at the follow-up care-recommendations visit, after Dr. Cortner has reviewed your history and completed your initial evaluation.

How many SoftWave sessions will I need for my knee?

SoftWave Therapy for knee pain typically involves 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. This is the standard course of care — each session builds on the previous one. Some patients notice changes within the first few sessions; others experience more gradual improvement over the full course. Your specific care recommendations will be reviewed at a follow-up visit after your initial evaluation, and can be adjusted based on how you're responding.

Does shockwave therapy for knees hurt?

Most patients tolerate SoftWave sessions well. The sensation is often described as a tapping or pulsing feeling over the treated area. Areas of active tenderness may feel more intense during treatment. Sessions run 10 to 15 minutes, and there is no anesthesia, no needles, and no required recovery time. Mild, temporary achiness after a session is possible for some patients but is not universal, and significant post-treatment discomfort is not expected.

Who is a good candidate for shockwave therapy for knee pain?

Patients who tend to do well with SoftWave Therapy for knee conditions are those with chronic pain stemming from soft-tissue inflammation — including patellar tendinopathy, bursitis, and mild-to-moderate OA — who have not found lasting relief from rest, over-the-counter medications, or standard physical therapy. It is particularly well-suited for patients who prefer to avoid injections, medication dependence, or surgery. Patients with advanced structural damage, active joint infection, or certain other medical conditions may not be appropriate candidates — which is why the initial evaluation is the essential starting point.

Is there any downtime after a SoftWave knee session?

No. One of the practical advantages of SoftWave Therapy is that there is no required downtime after a session. Most patients leave the office and return to their normal daily activities — whether that's work, errands, or light movement — right away. Very strenuous lower-body activity on the same day as a session is generally not recommended, but most routine activities are fine. Dr. Cortner will give you specific guidance based on your situation.

Does SoftWave Therapy Cumming take insurance for knee pain treatment?

SoftWave Therapy is a newer regenerative technology, and coverage varies widely by plan and payer. We recommend calling our office at 770-406-8208 before your visit so we can help you understand your options. Many patients find that the cost compares favorably to ongoing medication costs, repeat injection visits, or surgical co-pays when considered over time. Our team is happy to walk you through what to expect.

Can SoftWave Therapy be combined with other treatments for knee pain?

Yes — SoftWave Therapy is often used alongside complementary approaches. Some patients combine it with chiropractic care to address biomechanical factors that may be contributing to knee stress (such as hip or low-back dysfunction affecting gait). Others use it in conjunction with home exercise or physical therapy. Dr. Cortner takes a whole-person approach and will discuss which combination of care makes the most sense for your presentation at your care-recommendations visit.

How do I get started with shockwave therapy for knee pain in Cumming, GA?

Getting started is straightforward — no referral is required. Call SoftWave Therapy Cumming at 770-406-8208 or visit softwavecumming.com to schedule your initial evaluation. The first visit runs 45 to 60 minutes and includes a full assessment of your knee, a review of any imaging you have, and a brief review of findings. If SoftWave Therapy is a good fit, your first session can often begin the same day. We serve patients from Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, Dawsonville, and throughout Forsyth County.

Ready to explore a non-surgical, drug-free option for your knee pain? SoftWave Therapy Cumming is located at 5456 Bethelview Rd, Suite 103B in Cumming, GA — easy to reach from Windermere, South Forsyth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and beyond. Call us at 770-406-8208 or visit softwavecumming.com to schedule your initial evaluation with Dr. Catie Cortner, DC. No referral required. Your first visit includes a thorough assessment, imaging review if applicable, and a review of findings — so you leave with a clear picture of whether SoftWave Therapy is right for your knee.

References

[1] Simplicio CL, Purita J, Murrell W, et al. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy mechanisms in musculoskeletal regenerative medicine. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2020;11(Suppl 3):S309-S318. - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcot.2020.02.004
[2] Notarnicola A, Moretti B. The biological effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on tendon tissue. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2012;2(1):33-37. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3666498/

This post is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your condition.