How do you stay ahead with shockwave therapy when the technology, protocols, and pricing models keep evolving?

In this episode, Don shares practical insights from attending the American Society of Shockwave conference for the second time. He reflects on what worked well, what didn’t add much value, and—most importantly—what he’s changing in his own clinical protocols. From adjusting treatment intensity to reconsidering pricing models, the meeting reinforced how quickly shockwave therapy is evolving across specialties including podiatry, sports medicine, PM&R, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.

Don also explores emerging ideas around athlete recovery, bundled treatment pricing, and how clinicians are communicating the value of shockwave therapy to patients. If you’re using shockwave—or considering expanding how you offer it—this episode provides real-world insights on clinical technique, patient conversations, and practice strategy.

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Timestamps

[00:00] Conference Overview

Don shares his experience attending the American Society of Shockwave meeting and the value of networking with colleagues across specialties including PM&R, sports medicine, chiropractic, and physical therapy.

[01:16] The Biggest Challenge: Explaining Shockwave to Patients

Why patient education—and especially the financial conversation—is often the hardest part of implementing shockwave successfully.

[02:03] Downsides of the Conference

Sessions covering unrelated areas like urology and Alzheimer’s, lack of CME credits, and the time commitment of a full weekend meeting.

[02:55] Equipment Insights: Radial vs. True Shockwave

Discussion on how radial devices are increasingly viewed as pressure waves rather than true shockwave therapy, and why Don values having both radial and focused devices.

[04:00] A Major Clinical Takeaway: Use Lower Intensity

Experienced clinicians tend to treat with lower energy and slower frequencies. Don plans to experiment with lighter treatments and evaluate outcomes.

[05:09] Learning Resources and Training

Mentions communities like Shockwave Hub and other training opportunities, but emphasizes that the best learning often comes from visiting another doctor’s clinic.

[06:02] Choosing Conferences That Fit Your Practice

Why Don is shifting toward sports medicine conferences rather than surgical meetings based on his current practice focus.

[06:35] Pricing Strategies for Shockwave Therapy

Discussion with a colleague charging $400 per session and offering bundled treatments including EMTT, leading Don to rethink his own pricing structure.

[07:56] Considering Bundled Treatment Packages

Idea of packaging shockwave with orthotics and amniotic injections to simplify the patient decision and present a comprehensive care plan.

[08:49] Platelet Lysate and Emerging Biologic Concepts

Overview of platelet lysate and how it differs from traditional PRP.

[09:23] Insurance Reimbursement Challenges

Some insurers are beginning to reimburse shockwave at very low rates, raising questions about whether clinicians should bill insurance at all.

[09:58] Using Medical Image Upload Platforms

An interesting tool that allows patients to upload MRIs for review, potentially creating opportunities for remote second opinions and consultations.

[10:19] The Future: Shockwave for Recovery and Prevention

Emerging use of shockwave not just for injury treatment but also for recovery and injury prevention in athletes, including post-race recovery protocols.

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As clinicians gain more experience with shockwave therapy, protocols tend to shift toward lower energy treatments, clearer patient communication, and bundled pricing models that better reflect the value of care.