ShockWave Therapy
Awakening Your Body’s Potential

Chiropractic services focused on spinal health and natural pain reliefYour body possesses a remarkable, innate capacity for healing. It's a complex system designed to repair, rebuild, and restore itself. However, sometimes due to chronic strain, an old injury, or the simple effects of an active life here in Bloomington, this natural healing process can become stalled or muted. Think of it like a construction crew that has run out of instructions or energy; the potential is there, but the work has stopped. ShockWave Therapy is an innovative approach designed to act as the new blueprint, re-energizing and directing your body’s own restorative crews. At Hoosier Family Chiropractic, we see this technology as a way to partner with your body, using gentle yet powerful acoustic waves to encourage healing from within.


This non-invasive treatment utilizes electrohydraulic supersonic acoustic waves, which are essentially sound waves, to create a short-term biological response in the target area. This process, known as mechanotransduction, helps to stimulate your body’s resident stem cells and enhance blood flow, effectively restarting the dormant healing process. Unlike other treatments that might focus only on managing symptoms, the goal of ShockWave is to address the underlying issue at a cellular level. For residents of Bloomington, whether you're dealing with discomfort from navigating the hills of the Indiana University campus, recovering from a sports injury sustained at Twin Lakes Sports Park, or simply experiencing the aches of a busy life, this therapy offers a promising avenue. Dr. Mary Ann Bough and the team at Hoosier Family Chiropractic are proud to provide this advanced option to our community, helping you tap into the healing power you already have.

Common Discomforts and Symptoms We Address


Pain and limited mobility show up differently for everyone. It’s rarely just a clinical diagnosis; it’s the story of what you can no longer do comfortably. It’s the avid gardener who hesitates before kneeling to tend to their plants, feeling that familiar twinge in their knee. It's the dedicated professional in Bloomington who feels a persistent ache in their shoulder after long hours at a computer, making it hard to focus or even lift their briefcase. At Hoosier Family Chiropractic, we listen to these stories because they tell us where your life is being interrupted. Our goal with ShockWave therapy is to help you rewrite that story, moving from discomfort and limitation toward freedom and activity. Many of our patients seek help for chronic issues that haven't responded well to other methods. Imagine the frustration of waking up every morning to sharp foot pain with your first steps, a classic sign of plantar fasciitis that turns a simple walk through the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market into a dreaded task. Or consider the former athlete dealing with an old tendon injury in their elbow that flares up every time they try to play catch with their kids. These are the real-world challenges that ShockWave therapy is designed to support. Dr. Mary Ann Bough has seen how these nagging issues can diminish a person's quality of life, and our aim is to use ShockWave to help your body address them directly.

  • Persistent Joint Discomfort: Nagging pain in the shoulders, knees, elbows, or hips that limits your range of motion.
  • Soft Tissue Strains: Lingering issues in muscles, ligaments, and tendons that just don't seem to fully heal.
  • Back and Neck Aches: Chronic stiffness and soreness that can impact your work, sleep, and daily mood.
  • Foot and Ankle Pain: Discomfort that makes standing, walking, or running an uncomfortable ordeal.

What to Expect During Your ShockWave Session


Embarking on a new type of treatment can feel uncertain, which is why at Hoosier Family Chiropractic, we prioritize clarity, comfort, and communication every step of the way. Your journey with ShockWave therapy is a collaborative process between you and our team, designed to be as straightforward and gentle as possible. From your first conversation to your final session, you are an active partner in your care. Dr. Mary Ann Bough believes that an informed patient is an empowered patient, and our process reflects that philosophy. Your experience will typically follow a clear and simple path:

  • A Thorough Consultation: Your first step is a detailed discussion with Dr. Mary Ann Bough. This is where we go beyond the symptoms to understand your health history, your lifestyle in Bloomington, and your personal goals. We’ll answer all your questions and determine if ShockWave is a suitable option to help you meet those goals.
  • Locating the Target Area: The session begins with you resting comfortably. We will apply a gel to your skin over the area of discomfort, similar to an ultrasound. The ShockWave applicator is then used to gently scan the region, which can help us pinpoint the precise location of inflammation or damaged tissue.
  • The Treatment Process: Once the area is identified, the session itself begins. The applicator delivers a series of acoustic waves to the targeted tissue. Patients often describe the sensation as a light, deep tapping or pulsing. The entire application usually lasts for just 10 to 15 minutes. Throughout this time, we will communicate with you to ensure you remain comfortable.
  • Post-Session and Moving Forward: After the treatment, there is no required downtime. You can return to your normal daily activities immediately. Based on your body’s response, Dr. Mary Ann Bough will recommend a care plan. Many patients begin to experience positive changes after a few sessions, with a typical plan involving a series of treatments scheduled over several weeks to support the body's full healing cycle.