Shockwave Therapy at Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A.

At the Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A., we offer Linear Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) – a non-invasive regenerative treatment that uses sound waves to jump-start healing. Shockwave therapy sends powerful acoustic pulses into tissue, inducing mechanical stress that triggers biological repair. In animal and human studies, shockwaves boost production of growth factors like VEGF and BMP, enhance blood vessel formation, and quiet inflammatory signals. Clinically this can translate into reduced pain and improved function. We’ve found it especially effective for stubborn musculoskeletal issues (tendons, joints, ligaments) and men’s health problems. In fact, major reviews show clear evidence that shockwave therapy is effective for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. 

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Shockwaves are high-pressure sound pulses. When they hit damaged tissue, they “shake” cells and blood vessels, prompting the body’s repair machinery. This mechanotransduction triggers release of healing factors – growth factors and cytokines– at the injury site. Over time, the tissue remodels and strengthens. Physicians observe that shockwave therapy:

• Increases local blood flow and neovascularization. New micro-vessels grow, supplying oxygen/nutrients for repair.
• Boosts growth factors. Studies show higher levels of VEGF, BMP and other regenerative signals after shockwave treatment.
• Reduces inflammation. Shockwaves modulate interleukins (e.g. IL-6, IL-10) to dampen chronic inflammation.
• Stimulates stem/progenitor cells. Research finds shockwaves enhance stem cell proliferation, migration and “homing” to injury sites. In other words, shockwaves literally attract and activate repair cells.

Because of these effects, shockwave therapy is used as a conservative (non-surgical) option for chronic injuries that have resisted other treatments. It taps into the body’s innate healing – making it highly complementary to our stem cell and PRP programs.

Conditions Treated – General Health and Musculoskeletal

Shockwave therapy can treat a wide range of chronic pain and injury conditions. We highlight a few major categories below:

• Tendinopathies: Chronic tendon injuries like Achilles tendonitis, Patellar (knee) tendinitis, Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), Calcific shoulder tendonitis, etc. High-quality evidence supports shockwave for chronic Achilles and shoulder tendon calcification. Patients often feel pain relief and improved strength.
• Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain): Shockwaves are FDA-cleared for plantar fasciitis. By stimulating tissue regeneration in the foot’s arch, patients report reduced heel pain and faster return to walking/athletics.
• Joint Pain & Osteoarthritis: Shockwave can help osteoarthritic joints (especially the knee). Clinical reviews show improved pain and function in knee arthritis following ESWT. Some protocols (often combined with injections) are used for hip, shoulder and ankle joint pain.
• Bursitis and Muscle Injuries: Chronic bursitis (e.g. hip or shoulder bursitis) and myofascial trigger points sometimes respond to shockwave by easing tightness and pain.
• Bone and Cartilage Disorders: There is evidence for early osteonecrosis of the hip, non-union fractures, and bone marrow edema responding to shockwave stimulation. Shockwaves may accelerate bone healing by recruiting osteoblasts (bone-building cells).
• Neuromuscular and Circulatory Issues: Emerging uses include wound healing (diabetic ulcers) and peripheral artery disease – any situation where neovascularization (new vessels) and cell growth are needed.

These are all conditions where persistent pain and slow healing can be improved by “waking up” the tissue with shockwaves. In our practice, patients often combine shockwave with physical therapy or injections (like PRP and/or stem cells) for a comprehensive approach.

Men’s Health: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Related Issues

A major area of interest is men’s health, particularly erectile dysfunction (ED). Shockwave therapy (often called Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Li-ESWT) has been shown to improve blood flow and tissue health in the male genitalia, addressing underlying vascular causes of ED. Key findings include:

• Improved Erectile Function: Meta-analyses report that men with vasculogenic ED have significant gains in erectile function scores after shockwave therapy. In practice, many report a firmer area and better performance.
• Platelet-derived Regeneration: Shockwaves encourage release of growth factors and mobilize stem cells to tissue, improving blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) over time. This can restore more natural erectile ability rather than just masking symptoms.
• Safety and Tolerability: Studies consistently find Li-ESWT to be safe and well-tolerated, with no serious side effects when done properly.

Our clinic also offers linear Li-ESWT specifically for ED. Clinical research directly comparing modalities found that linear shockwaves produced significantly better ED outcomes than unfocused (radial) shockwaves. In one systematic review of 15 trials, focused (linear) ESWT consistently outperformed radial ESWT on key erectile scores. In practice, this means linear shockwaves achieve stronger results, especially in more severe cases.

Other Men’s Health Conditions: Shockwave has also been explored for Peyronie’s disease (penile curvature). Recent trials show Li-ESWT can shrink fibrous plaque and reduce pain in Peyronie’s. Meta-analysis data show significant improvements in plaque size and curvature, though effects on intimate function are variable. We are currently offering shockwave therapy as part of our Peyronie’s treatment protocols, alongside PRP and stem cell injections.

Why Linear Shockwave is Our Choice

Our clinic exclusively uses linear (focused) shockwave technology, and for good reason. Linear shockwave devices generate a narrow, concentrated beam of acoustic energy that penetrates deep into tissue. In contrast, radial (diffusive) shockwaves lose energy rapidly and only reach a few centimeters in depth. Specifically, focused shockwaves can penetrate up to ~12 cm of tissue, whereas radial shockwaves typically reach only 3–4 cm. This means linear shockwaves deliver powerful energy to precise targets (e.g. deep pelvic or joint tissues) with minimal dispersion.

Because of this, linear (focused) shockwave is often more effective:

• Deeper, More Powerful Treatment: We can target deeper structures (like the corpora cavernosa or spine-level facets) that radial waves cannot reach.
• Greater Intensity Per Pulse: Linear devices can reach higher peak pressures (while still considered “low intensity” overall), giving a stronger stimulus to trigger healing without extra treatments.
• Precision: The focused beam allows us to zero-in on “problem spots.” Patients often describe the sensation as pinpoint, whereas radial feels like a wider thump.

Clinical evidence backs this up: the recent Urology Annals meta-analysis found focused (linear) ESWT achieved significantly better improvement in erectile function than radial ESWT. In short, by using linear shockwave only, our patients receive the most potent regenerative stimulus available.

Combining Shockwave with PRP and Stem Cells

At our institute, we specialize in regenerative medicine (PRP, stem cells, etc.), and shockwave therapy complements these beautifully. Here’s why combining therapies can accelerate healing:

• Synergistic Growth Factor Activation: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is rich in growth factors but needs tissue receptivity to work optimally. Shockwave therapy prepares the tissue by increasing blood flow and cell receptiveness. Studies show shockwaves increase vascularity at the injection site, allowing PRP factors to be better absorbed.
• Stem Cell Homing: Shockwaves not only help injective therapies; they also recruit endogenous stem cells. As one review notes, ESWT can “enhance the proliferation, differentiation, migration, and recruitment of stem cells,” opening new possibilities for combining shockwaves with stem cell treatments. In effect, shockwaves draw more regenerative cells into the area and help them integrate.
• Faster Symptom Relief + Long-term Healing: Shockwaves often provide quick pain relief (within days) by disrupting pain signals, while PRP/ stem cell effects build over weeks. Using both means patients feel immediate comfort and also get the full healing cascade started.
• Evidence in Musculoskeletal Injuries: Clinical studies in orthopedics show combined therapy outperforms either alone. For example, a 2023 report on chronic plantar fasciitis found two runners with severe heel pain returned to full sport only after combining ESWT with a PRP injection. Another study noted that tendinopathy patients receiving both PRP and ESWT “experienced faster recovery times and better functional outcomes” than those given just one treatment.

In Men’s Health (ED): Research is also looking at PRP + shockwave for erectile dysfunction. A clinical trial design called “COCKTAIL” has been published, aiming to test PRP injections plus Li-ESWT together. The rationale is clear: preclinical data suggest both PRP and shockwave are pro-angiogenic and regenerative in ED. By combining them, doctors hope to produce a synergistic effect on penile tissue. This study – and others like it – underscore the growing interest in “multi-modal” regenerative protocols.

At our clinic, we frequently integrate shockwave into PRP and stem cell treatments. For example, a typical approach might be: apply a PRP injection to the area and then follow with  shockwave therapy to the area (e.g. knee, shoulder or male genitalia). This combination strategy has become a hallmark of comprehensive regenerative care.

What Research Says

Thousands of patients and numerous studies support shockwave therapy’s benefits. Key findings include:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders: A comprehensive review found strong evidence that ESWT helps with calcific shoulder tendonitis, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, knee osteoarthritis, and early hip osteonecrosis. For these conditions, shockwaves reduce lesion size and pain on imaging and exams.
• ED: A 2025 British Medical Bulletin review concluded “there is clear evidence that ESWT for ED is effective and can therefore be a valuable treatment modality”. Multiple trials and meta-analyses back this up. Men treated with shockwave show significant improvement in IIEF and SHIM scores, often reducing or eliminating the need for pills.
• Peyronie’s Disease: A 2024 meta-analysis reports that Li-ESWT significantly reduces penile plaque size, improves curvature, and relieves pain in Peyronie’s patients.
• Combined Therapy: Early clinical reports (case series, small trials) consistently find that combining ESWT with PRP or stem cells leads to better, faster healing of tendons and fascia compared to either treatment alone.

These findings give confidence that shockwave therapy is not just “another gadget,” but a science-backed regenerative tool. We keep current on the literature to ensure our protocols reflect the latest evidence.

Why Choose Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A.

We understand that patients seek treatments that are safe, effective, and well-supported by research. At our Institute, we combine expertise in regenerative medicine with state-of-the-art technology:

• Experience and Focus: Dr. Nourparvar is a board-certified specialist and has experience in physical medicine, orthopedics, and urology. Dr. Nourparvar has extensive experience diagnosing chronic injuries and men’s health issues.
• Advanced Technology: We use the latest linear shockwave devices, calibrated for medical use and backed by clinical studies. These machines deliver precise, FDA-cleared treatment protocols.
• Comprehensive Regenerative Care: Beyond shockwaves, we offer PRP and stem cell therapies. We integrate these services when indicated, tailoring each plan to the individual.
• Evidence-Based Protocols: Our treatments follow current research. We set shockwave parameters (energy, number of pulses, frequency) based on published protocols for each condition. We monitor progress and adjust as needed.
• Patient Education: We ensure you understand the process and what to expect. For example, you may feel mild tapping during therapy, followed by gradual symptom relief over weeks. All questions about outcomes, recovery, and follow-up are addressed in our consultations.

Our goal is a full, natural recovery. Shockwave therapy at our clinic is not just about pain relief – it’s about regenerating tissue, restoring function, and helping you return to the activities you love. We invite you to learn more about Linear Shockwave Therapy and see if it’s right for your needs.

📞 Call us today at  (310) 361-5480 to book your appointment or click here to schedule a consultation.