That First Step in the Morning Shouldn't Be the Worst Part of Your Day.
Morning heel pain, pain after sitting, standing all day, walking, running, and shoe after shoe that didn't fix it.
SoftWave® Therapy in Coralville, Iowa
Still Hurting? Try a Different Approach.
Explore non-invasive SoftWave® shockwave therapy for stubborn musculoskeletal pain, injuries and soft-tissue problems — available at Total Health Chiropractic right here in Coralville.
Located in CoralvilleTotal Health Chiropractic
2201 E. Grantview Dr. #202 · Coralville, IA 52241Get directions
2201 E. Grantview Dr. #202 · Coralville, IA 52241Get directions
The part nobody talks about
You've Already Tried Waiting.
Most people who ask about shockwave therapy are not at the beginning of this. They are months in.
Rested itIced itStretched itChanged shoesStopped working outTook time offTried massageTried exercisesWaited another month
And it's still bothering you. At some point the question stops being "What can I do to make this hurt less today?" and becomes "Why does this keep coming back?"
SoftWave® is one potential treatment option for appropriate musculoskeletal conditions. It is not a cure, it is not right for everyone, and an evaluation determines whether it fits your situation.
See How SoftWave WorksStart here
Where Does It Hurt?
Pick the area that matches what you're dealing with. Each one goes to real, substantial information — not a sales page.
Heel / Foot
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
Knee
- Knee Pain
- Patellar Tendon Problems
- Sports Knee Problems
Shoulder
- Shoulder Pain
- Rotator Cuff-Related Pain
- Tendon Problems
Elbow
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfer's Elbow
Achilles
- Achilles Pain
- Tendon Problems
Hip
- Hip Pain
- Soft-Tissue Problems
Back
- Back Pain
Sports
- Sports Injuries
- Overuse Injuries
Direct answer
What is SoftWave therapy?
SoftWave® is a specific shockwave technology used in musculoskeletal care. A handheld applicator delivers acoustic shockwaves through the skin into the tissue below, and the treatment is non-invasive — no incisions, no anesthesia. Whether it is appropriate for a given problem is decided by evaluation, not by the symptom name.
A little more depth
How the applicator works, at a high level. The device generates acoustic pressure waves that pass through the surface of the skin into deeper tissue. Contact gel is used so the waves transmit efficiently.
What you experience. People commonly describe a tapping or pulsing sensation, often strongest directly over the irritated area. Settings can typically be adjusted during the session.
How the treatment area is identified. The area treated comes from the examination — what reproduces your symptoms and what the findings point to — rather than a fixed protocol.
What it is not. It is not surgery, not an injection, and not a guaranteed outcome. We do not publish biological or regenerative claims that we cannot tie to a citable source; where a mechanism is described in the literature, we link to it in our research library.
Medical disclaimer: This page is general health education and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. SoftWave® may be considered for certain musculoskeletal conditions when clinically appropriate; an evaluation determines candidacy. Individual results vary. Nothing here establishes a doctor-patient relationship.
Terminology
What's the Difference Between Shockwave and SoftWave?
'Shockwave therapy' is the broad treatment category and the term most people search. SoftWave is one specific technology within that category.
| Technology | Type | Energy delivery | Treatment area | Terminology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoftWave® | Unfocused low-intensity shockwave (per manufacturer documentation) | Acoustic shockwave delivered through the applicator surface | Described as covering a broader treatment area | Often marketed by brand name rather than category |
| Focused shockwave | Focused extracorporeal shockwave (ESWT) | Energy converges toward a targeted depth | Narrower treatment zone at a chosen depth | Most commonly used term in published research |
| Radial pressure wave | Radial pressure wave (sometimes called radial shockwave) | Pressure wave spreads out from the applicator tip | Generally strongest closer to the surface | Often grouped under 'shockwave' in marketing |
These are different tools with different characteristics. We do not claim one category is categorically better than another — that depends on the condition, the evidence and clinical judgment.
Compare Shockwave TechnologiesThe real question
Why Isn't It Getting Better?
Persistent musculoskeletal problems usually linger for reasons. Some of them are treatable, and most of them are identifiable.
Repeated loading of the same tissue
Overuse without enough recovery
The underlying movement problem was never addressed
Returning to full activity too quickly
Persistent tendon problems that need graded loading
Biomechanical factors up or down the chain
Rehab that stopped before capacity returned
A different diagnosis than everyone assumed
Not enough evaluation in the first place
SoftWave® does not solve all of these. Which is exactly the point: the first step isn't choosing a treatment — it's understanding the problem.
Condition spotlights
Real problems, addressed properly
Each of these has its own page with symptoms, why it persists, common approaches, research and where SoftWave may fit.
Your Knee Shouldn't Control Your Day.
Stairs, squats, running, getting up. 'Knee pain' is a symptom, not one diagnosis — different structures need different approaches.
Can't Reach, Lift or Sleep Without Thinking About Your Shoulder?
Overhead movements, sleeping on that side, lifting, gym work, throwing and work tasks at shoulder height.
Tennis Elbow Isn't Just for Tennis Players.
Golf, pickleball, lifting, gripping, tools and repetitive work — with research we report honestly, mixed findings included.
When Every Step Reminds You Something Isn't Right.
Runners, walkers, athletes and anyone who recently increased activity, dealing with persistent Achilles symptoms.
Treatment for People Who Want to Keep Moving.
Runners, golfers, cyclists, lifters, pickleball players, youth sports families and active adults with overuse problems.
Active Coralville
Treatment for People Who Want to Keep Moving.
Runners, golfers, cyclists, lifters, pickleball players, parents, youth sports families, weekend athletes and active older adults.
The goals we hear most: returning to movement, staying active, training again, walking comfortably, playing your sport, and working without constantly thinking about symptoms. Those are goals worth naming out loud at your visit — they are not promised treatment outcomes, and we won't pretend otherwise.
Sports & overuse injuriesAt Total Health Chiropractic
What Happens When You Come In?
Four steps, no mystery. We don't invent visit counts — recommendations come after evaluation.
- 01
Tell us what's going on
Your history, your symptoms and what you actually want to get back to doing.
- 02
Get evaluated
We work to identify what may be contributing to the problem and whether SoftWave® is appropriate for it.
- 03
SoftWave treatment
If appropriate, acoustic shockwaves are applied to the treatment area using SoftWave technology.
- 04
Build the plan
Recommendations depend on findings, your condition, your response and your individual needs.
Who provides it
Real people, at a real Coralville clinic.
Treatment is provided through Total Health Chiropractic — not a pop-up treatment center and not a virtual lead-generation operation.
Meet your SoftWave technician
Tawni Gentzler
Head SoftWave Technician & Chiropractic Assistant
Tawni is Total Health Chiropractic's Head SoftWave Technician. Her biography, care philosophy and video introduction will be published here once the clinic supplies them — we don't invent biographical details.
Meet TawniFounder
Dr. Dillon Hammes, DC
Founder, Total Health Chiropractic
Dr. Hammes founded Total Health Chiropractic and is a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate. He is part of the clinical environment in which evaluation and care take place at the Coralville office.
Meet Dr. HammesLocated in Coralville
Real Coralville location
SoftWave Therapy Right Here in Coralville.
Treatment is provided in person at Total Health Chiropractic in Coralville — Johnson County, minutes from Iowa City.
Coralville Office Hours
- Monday9 AM–1 PM3 PM–6 PM
- Tuesday9 AM–1 PM3 PM–7 PM
- Wednesday7 AM–1 PM2 PM–5 PM
- Thursday9 AM–1 PM3 PM–6 PM
- Friday9 AM–1 PM
- Saturday10 AM–1 PM
- SundayClosed
Hours can change around holidays — call to confirm before you drive over.
Outcomes
Don't Just Tell Me It Works. Show Me.
Real patient progress should speak louder than marketing. We publish verified outcome data only — condition, baseline, post, change, timeframe and treatment.
Verified outcomes are being prepared.
We publish patient outcomes only when they come from verified ChiropracticResults records supplied by Total Health Chiropractic — condition, chief complaint, baseline and post measures, change, timeframe and treatment. Nothing on this site is invented or estimated, so this space stays empty until that data is in hand.
Evidence
What Does the Research Say?
Published studies with plain-language findings and their limitations stated in the same breath.
2015Focused and radial ESWT
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciopathy: systematic evidence overview
Rompe JD, et al. · Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy / related ESWT literature
Plain-language finding: Across controlled trials, extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been studied for chronic heel pain that has not responded to initial conservative care, with several trials reporting improvement in pain scores compared with sham or control care.
Limitations: Protocols, energy levels, session counts and outcome measures vary widely between studies, which makes direct comparison difficult. Results do not predict any individual person's response.
Condition studied: Chronic plantar fasciopathy (plantar fasciitis)
2018Focused and radial ESWT
The effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in common lower limb conditions: a systematic review
Korakakis V, Whiteley R, Tzavara A, Malliaropoulos N · British Journal of Sports Medicine
Plain-language finding: This review reported low-level evidence that shockwave therapy may be beneficial for several persistent lower-limb conditions, while noting the quality of the underlying evidence base as a limitation.
Limitations: Evidence quality was rated low to moderate; blinding, sham design and dosing differ across studies.
Condition studied: Lower-limb tendinopathies, plantar fasciopathy, medial tibial stress syndrome
2014Focused ESWT (high- vs low-energy)
High-energy versus low-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy for calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: meta-analysis
Verstraelen FU, In den Kleef NJ, Jansen L, Morrenhof JW · Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
Plain-language finding: Pooled results suggested high-energy focused shockwave was associated with better shoulder outcomes than low-energy protocols for calcifying tendinitis.
Limitations: Applies to a specific shoulder diagnosis confirmed on imaging, not to shoulder pain in general.
Condition studied: Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder
2005Focused and radial ESWT
Shockwave therapy for lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow): review evidence
Multiple systematic reviews · Cochrane / orthopaedic and sports medicine literature
Plain-language finding: Reviews of shockwave therapy for tennis elbow have reported mixed results, with some trials showing benefit and pooled analyses reporting little or no benefit over placebo.
Limitations: Conflicting findings mean shockwave for tennis elbow is best framed as one option to discuss after evaluation, not an established first-line treatment.
Condition studied: Lateral elbow tendinopathy
2024Extracorporeal shockwave devices (varies by clearance)
FDA device classification and clearance information for extracorporeal shockwave devices
U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA device databases (510(k) / product classification)
Plain-language finding: Shockwave devices in the United States are cleared for specific indications listed in each device's own clearance. Clearance is device-specific and is not a blanket clearance for every condition.
Limitations: Always check the specific device and its cleared indications rather than assuming category-wide clearance.
Condition studied: Cleared indications vary by device and clearance
Two minutes
Could SoftWave Be Worth Exploring?
Answer a few questions about your situation. This is not a diagnosis and it never tells you that you 'qualify'.
Question 1 of 9
No diagnosis, no pressureWhere is the problem?
FAQ
Straight answers, first sentence.
Where specific clinic information isn't published here, call (319) 338-7025 — we'd rather send you to a person than guess.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment category that delivers acoustic pressure waves into tissue through the surface of the skin. It is used in musculoskeletal care for certain persistent tendon, soft-tissue and joint-related problems, and whether it is appropriate depends on evaluation and diagnosis.
What is SoftWave?
SoftWave® is a specific shockwave technology used in musculoskeletal care. It is one brand of device within the broader shockwave therapy category, and it is the technology used at Total Health Chiropractic in Coralville.
Is SoftWave the same as shockwave therapy?
Not exactly. "Shockwave therapy" is the broad category of treatment; SoftWave is one specific technology within that category. People searching for shockwave therapy in Coralville and people searching for SoftWave are usually looking for the same kind of care.
Where can I get SoftWave in Coralville?
SoftWave therapy is available through Total Health Chiropractic at 2201 E. Grantview Dr. #202 in Coralville, Iowa. You can call (319) 338-7025 to ask about an evaluation.
How does SoftWave work?
A handheld applicator is placed against the skin over the area being treated and delivers acoustic shockwaves into the tissue below. The treatment area is chosen based on examination findings. Claims about tissue-level mechanisms should be read alongside the published research rather than treated as guarantees.
What does treatment feel like?
People commonly describe a tapping or pulsing sensation, and it is normal to feel more sensitivity directly over an irritated area. Settings can typically be adjusted for comfort during the session. Individual experience varies.
Does shockwave therapy hurt?
Most people describe it as tolerable rather than painful, and the sensation is often strongest over the most irritated tissue. Tell your technician what you are feeling so the session can be adjusted.
How long does a session take?
Session length depends on the area being treated and what else is included in the visit. Total Health Chiropractic can tell you what to expect for your specific plan when you schedule.
Next step
You know where it hurts. Let's find out why.
coralvilleshockwave.com is a specialty education website powered by Total Health Chiropractic. Treatment happens in person in Coralville.