SoftWave Therapy for Back Pain in Cumming, GA: What to Expect

Dr. Catie Cortner, DC – Arise Family Chiropractic
Medically reviewed by Dr. Catie Cortner, DC. Last reviewed: October 2026.

SoftWave therapy for back pain is a non-invasive, drug-free approach that uses FDA-cleared electrohydraulic acoustic wave technology to address the underlying tissue changes that drive chronic and acute back pain. Research suggests that extracorporeal shock wave technology works in part by promoting the body's own healing processes — including growth-factor signaling and improved blood flow to affected tissues [1]. At SoftWave Therapy Cumming, located on Bethelview Road in Cumming, GA, Dr. Catie Cortner, DC, delivers individualized SoftWave sessions designed to get you moving again without surgery, injections, or downtime.

What Is SoftWave Therapy — and Why Are Back Pain Patients Asking About It?

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people in Cumming, Alpharetta, and across Forsyth County seek care. For many, the journey has included physical therapy, pain medications, cortisone injections, or even surgery consultations — and yet the pain lingers. That frustration is exactly what draws patients to ask: is there something different?

SoftWave therapy is a regenerative modality that uses electrohydraulic acoustic waves — often called shockwave technology — delivered through a handheld applicator placed directly on the skin. Unlike ultrasound or electrical stimulation, SoftWave generates true unfocused shockwaves that spread across a broad treatment zone, reaching deeper tissue layers than many surface-level therapies.

The technology is FDA-cleared, meaning it has passed the regulatory bar for safety and substantial equivalence. It requires no incisions, no needles, and no recovery period. A session at our Cumming office runs approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

For back pain specifically, SoftWave may be relevant whether the source is muscular tension, ligament strain, disc-related discomfort, or chronic inflammation that hasn't resolved with other care. Dr. Cortner performs a thorough assessment before any SoftWave session to confirm the modality is appropriate for your presentation.

How Does SoftWave Therapy Work for Back Pain?

The mechanism behind acoustic wave therapy is an active area of research. At the tissue level, peer-reviewed mechanistic reviews suggest these waves trigger a process called mechanotransduction — essentially, the physical energy of the wave is converted into biological signals that encourage the body's repair pathways [1]. This appears to include stimulation of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), modulation of inflammation, and activation of growth factors involved in tissue remodeling [2].

In plain language: the waves prompt your body to pay attention to an area it may have stopped actively healing — something that often happens in chronic conditions where pain has been present for months or years.

Laboratory research also demonstrates that acoustic waves can influence stem cell behavior in tissue culture [3], though it is important to note that cell-culture findings do not automatically translate to clinical outcomes for every patient. What we can say is that the mechanistic rationale for SoftWave's effects on soft tissue is grounded in a growing body of scientific investigation.

For back pain, the areas commonly addressed include:

• Paraspinal musculature — the muscles running alongside the spine that often go into protective spasm
• Thoracolumbar fascia — connective tissue that, when chronically inflamed or restricted, contributes significantly to lower back pain
• Sacroiliac region — a common and frequently overlooked pain generator at the base of the spine
• Disc-adjacent soft tissue — the muscles and ligaments surrounding a disc that may remain inflamed even after the disc itself is addressed

Dr. Cortner uses a systematic mapping approach during each session, working through the relevant anatomy to ensure the tissue that needs attention receives it.

Can SoftWave Therapy Help a Herniated Disc or Sciatica?

Patients frequently ask whether SoftWave is appropriate for disc-related pain or sciatic nerve pain radiating down the leg. This is a fair and important question.

SoftWave does not physically alter disc anatomy — it cannot mechanically reposition a herniated disc. However, much of the pain associated with disc issues comes from the surrounding inflammation and muscle guarding, not solely from the disc itself. By addressing that inflammatory tissue environment and supporting the body's healing response, SoftWave may help reduce the pain burden associated with disc-adjacent problems.

For sciatica — nerve pain that typically runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg — the source matters. If the irritation is primarily in the soft tissue (piriformis tension, for example) rather than a significant structural nerve compression, SoftWave may be a useful part of care. Dr. Cortner will assess your presentation and be direct with you about whether SoftWave is likely to be helpful, partially helpful, or whether a different path makes more sense.

This honest, individualized approach is why patients from Johns Creek, Milton, and Suwanee make the drive to our Bethelview Road office rather than choosing the nearest available provider.

What Does a SoftWave Session for Back Pain Look Like at Our Office?

At SoftWave Therapy Cumming, your first visit is not a rushed 10-minute appointment. The initial visit runs 45 to 60 minutes and includes a health history review, an exam, a review of any imaging you've had, and a brief overview of findings — plus, in most cases, your first SoftWave session that same day.

Here is what to expect:

1. Health history and exam. Dr. Cortner reviews your back pain history — onset, aggravating and relieving factors, prior treatments, imaging — and performs a hands-on assessment to identify the primary tissue involved.
2. Imaging review. If you have existing MRI, X-ray, or other imaging, bring it. We factor it into the assessment.
3. First SoftWave session. The applicator is applied to the skin over the target area (a small amount of ultrasound gel is used for contact). You may feel a tapping or light pulsing sensation. Most patients find it quite tolerable. The session itself runs 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Post-session expectations. Most patients leave feeling the same or somewhat better after their first session. Some notice a mild, temporary increase in the treated area — this is a normal tissue response and typically resolves quickly. Significant or worsening pain after a session is not expected, and Dr. Cortner will discuss what's normal for your presentation.
5. Care recommendations. Detailed care recommendations — including how many sessions are likely appropriate and how often — are reviewed at a follow-up visit, not the first day. Typical courses of care for back pain run 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks, though this is always individualized.

There are no injections, no anesthesia, no recovery room, and no downtime. Many patients return to their normal activities the same day.

Is SoftWave Therapy Safe for the Spine?

Safety is a reasonable concern any time a therapeutic device is applied near the spinal column. SoftWave uses unfocused, low-to-medium energy acoustic waves — not radiation, not electrical current, and not thermal energy at levels that damage tissue.

The technology is FDA-cleared for use in musculoskeletal conditions, and the treatment is applied to the soft tissue surrounding the spine (muscles, fascia, ligaments), not directly to the vertebrae or spinal cord.

Dr. Cortner screens every patient before beginning SoftWave to identify any contraindications — including active malignancy near the treatment area, certain implanted devices, blood-clotting conditions, and a small number of other factors. For the large majority of patients with musculoskeletal back pain, SoftWave is an appropriate option with a favorable safety profile.

If you have had prior spine surgery, Dr. Cortner can assess whether SoftWave is appropriate for your specific post-surgical anatomy. Many post-surgical patients with ongoing soft-tissue pain are candidates.

Serving Cumming, South Forsyth, and the Surrounding Area

SoftWave Therapy Cumming is located at 5456 Bethelview Rd Ste 103B, Cumming, GA 30040 — convenient to residents of Vickery, Windermere, South Forsyth, and the Coal Mountain corridor, as well as patients who travel from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, and Dawsonville.

We understand that residents of Forsyth County often work demanding schedules — whether with the Forsyth County School System, Forsyth County Government, Sawnee EMC, or one of the county's major employers. Back pain that limits your ability to work, be present with your family, or enjoy what Cumming offers — trails at Sawnee Mountain Preserve, time at Lake Lanier, events at Cumming City Center — is back pain worth addressing.

Our office is designed to feel welcoming, not clinical or rushed. Dr. Cortner and the team work to make every patient feel at ease from the first phone call through every follow-up session. If you are close to Northside Hospital Forsyth and have been told conservative care is worth trying before more invasive steps, we are a natural next step.

We also serve patients who have already tried the conventional route and are looking for something different — a drug-free, non-surgical approach that works with the body's own healing capacity rather than suppressing it or bypassing it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does shockwave therapy work for back pain?

Research on extracorporeal shockwave technology supports its use for certain musculoskeletal conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest acoustic waves promote the body's own healing processes — including improved blood flow, growth-factor release, and anti-inflammatory effects [2][1]. For back pain specifically, the response depends on the tissue involved and how long the condition has been present. Dr. Cortner assesses each patient individually to determine whether SoftWave is an appropriate fit.

Can SoftWave therapy help a herniated disc?

SoftWave does not mechanically reposition a herniated disc. However, much of the pain associated with disc problems comes from surrounding soft-tissue inflammation and muscle guarding — and that is where SoftWave may help. If your disc-related pain has a significant soft-tissue component, SoftWave may be a useful part of your care. Dr. Cortner will assess your imaging and presentation and be direct about whether SoftWave is likely to be helpful for your specific situation.

How many SoftWave sessions are typically needed for back pain?

A typical course of care for back pain at SoftWave Therapy Cumming runs 6 to 8 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. Sessions are approximately 10 to 15 minutes each. The exact number is individualized — long-standing chronic pain generally requires a longer course than a more recent injury. Dr. Cortner reviews care recommendations with you at a follow-up visit after your initial assessment, not on the first day.

Is SoftWave therapy safe for the spine?

SoftWave is FDA-cleared and is applied to the soft tissue surrounding the spine — muscles, fascia, and ligaments — not directly to the vertebrae or spinal cord. The technology uses acoustic waves, not radiation or damaging heat. Dr. Cortner screens every patient for contraindications before beginning care. For most people with musculoskeletal back pain, SoftWave has a favorable safety profile. Patients with prior spine surgery, implanted devices, or certain medical conditions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What is the best non-surgical treatment for chronic back pain?

There is no single answer — the best option depends on the source and duration of your pain, what you have already tried, and your overall health. SoftWave therapy is one strong non-surgical option for patients with chronic musculoskeletal back pain, particularly those who have not responded fully to physical therapy, medication, or injections. It is non-invasive, drug-free, and FDA-cleared. Dr. Cortner will give you an honest assessment of whether it is the right fit for you.

Does SoftWave therapy hurt?

Most patients describe the sensation during a SoftWave session as a light tapping or pulsing — tolerable and not painful. The applicator is pressed gently against the skin with ultrasound gel, and Dr. Cortner adjusts the intensity based on your comfort. Some patients notice mild, temporary tenderness in the treated area after a session, which is a normal tissue response and typically resolves quickly. Significant pain during or after a session is not expected.

How much does SoftWave cost for back pain?

Pricing for SoftWave therapy at our Cumming office is reviewed during your initial visit and care-recommendation conversation. SoftWave is typically not covered by insurance as it is a regenerative therapy, so we are transparent about costs before you commit to a course of care. To get accurate pricing for your situation, call our office at 770-406-8208 or schedule a SoftWave Discovery Day to discuss your needs with Dr. Cortner.

Is SoftWave better than a cortisone injection for back pain?

SoftWave and cortisone injections work in fundamentally different ways. Cortisone suppresses inflammation short-term but does not support tissue repair — and repeat injections carry considerations that your prescribing provider can detail. SoftWave aims to support the body's own healing processes rather than suppressing the inflammatory response. Whether one is more appropriate than the other depends entirely on your diagnosis, history, and goals. Dr. Cortner can walk you through how SoftWave may fit alongside or as an alternative to other approaches you are considering.

Who is a good candidate for SoftWave therapy for back pain?

Good candidates are typically adults with musculoskeletal back pain — whether acute from an injury or chronic from years of ongoing symptoms — who are looking for a non-invasive, drug-free option. SoftWave works well for people frustrated by incomplete relief from other conservative care and for those wanting to avoid or delay surgical consultation. Patients with disc-adjacent pain, paraspinal muscle issues, sacroiliac discomfort, and soft-tissue scarring from prior procedures have sought care at our Cumming office. Dr. Cortner will assess your situation and confirm candidacy at your first visit.

Can I combine SoftWave therapy with chiropractic care for back pain?

Yes — many patients at SoftWave Therapy Cumming receive both SoftWave and chiropractic care as part of a coordinated approach. SoftWave addresses the soft-tissue environment around the spine, while chiropractic care focuses on joint mobility and nerve function. Dr. Catie Cortner is a Doctor of Chiropractic and is trained to integrate both modalities based on your specific presentation. The combination is often more comprehensive than either approach alone.

Ready to find out whether SoftWave therapy is right for your back pain? SoftWave Therapy Cumming serves patients throughout Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, and across Forsyth County. The first step is simple: book a SoftWave Discovery Day with Dr. Catie Cortner, DC — a focused visit where you can ask your questions, share your history, and get an honest assessment before committing to anything. Call us at 770-406-8208 or visit softwavecumming.com/request-a-softwave-discovery-day to schedule. You deserve a path forward that doesn't involve more waiting.

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/
[3] Rinella L, Marano F, Paletto L, et al. Extracorporeal shock waves modulate myofibroblast differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells. Wound Repair Regen. 2016;24(2):275-286. - https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12410

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