Shockwave Therapy · Nerve Pain Relief
Shockwave Therapy for Neuropathy: drug-free relief that helps nerves heal
Numbness, burning, and tingling don’t have to be permanent. At The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center, we use extracorporeal shockwave therapy to stimulate nerve regeneration, improve conduction, and calm the inflammation behind chronic nerve pain — no surgery, no medication.
· Non-surgical · Drug-free · In-office · Metairie · New Orleans
By Jacques Courseault, MD, CAQSM, FAAPMR · The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center®
01 · Understanding the Condition
What Is Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord — the nerves that control movement, sensation, and automatic body functions. When these nerves are damaged, the result is numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or pain that can make everyday tasks difficult.
Neuropathy is more common with age and is estimated to affect 1% to 7% of the population (Castelli et al., 2020). Symptoms depend on which nerves are involved — motor, sensory, or autonomic — and on the underlying cause.
Common Causes
· Diabetes and other metabolic conditions
· Exposure to toxins or chemicals
· Infections
· Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases
· Hereditary (genetic) nerve disorders
(Gwathmey & Pearson, 2019)
Recognizing symptoms early and getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to managing neuropathy and keeping it from progressing.
02 · The Treatment
How Shockwave Therapy Heals Damaged Nerves
Shockwave therapy — also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) — is a non-invasive treatment that delivers focused acoustic sound waves into injured tissue to switch on the body’s own repair response. For nerve pain specifically, a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis in Frontiers in Neurology found that shockwave therapy measurably improves nerve conduction. Research shows it can:
· Improve nerve conduction velocity
· Support peripheral nerve regeneration
· Promote new blood-vessel growth and oxygen delivery to the nerve
· Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress at the nerve level
(Yang et al., 2024)
The mechanism matters. In chronic neuropathy, shockwaves counteract the fibrotic scarring that chokes a nerve, release the adhesions around it, and restore vascularization to the nerve fascicles — improving conduction rather than simply masking the pain (Jeong et al., 2022). Early evidence in diabetic neuropathy is especially encouraging, with animal and clinical work showing shockwave can protect and regenerate nerves under metabolic stress (Yamaya et al., 2016).
Why we combine it: Shockwave addresses nerve conduction and inflammation at the tissue level. Hydrofascia Release™ — our precision, ultrasound-guided hydrodissection technique — restores fascial glide around the nerve. Together they treat the nerve and the environment surrounding it, which is why our patients often get more durable relief than with either treatment alone.
03 · The Bigger Picture
How Shockwave Fits with Conventional Care
There are several established, non-surgical ways to manage neuropathic pain, and shockwave therapy works alongside them rather than replacing them. Good care usually combines medical, rehabilitative, and lifestyle approaches.
Medical Options
· Medications — gabapentin, tricyclic antidepressants, and SNRIs, chosen by symptom type and severity
· Mental-health support — counseling and psychological care for chronic pain
· Therapeutic tools — heat, massage, and stretching for symptom relief
Rehabilitative & Lifestyle
· Physical & occupational therapy — targeted movement to restore function and reduce pain
· Exercise & nutrition — changes that lower inflammation and support nerve health over time
(Zeldin et al., 2025)
04 · Beyond Neuropathy
Other Conditions Shockwave Therapy Treats
Shockwave therapy has a broad and growing evidence base for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, ESWT is used effectively for:
05 · Our Approach
How We Use Shockwave Therapy at FIT
At The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center, patients come to us seeking durable, long-term solutions to nerve pain and complex chronic conditions. Shockwave therapy is central to our approach because it is:
We routinely pair shockwave with Hydrofascia Release™, VitaminLab targeted supplementation, and custom movement programs — and, when hands-on rehabilitation is part of the plan, our sister practice FIT Therapeutics. This integrated approach addresses nerve healing, fascial restriction, and systemic recovery at the same time.
Ready When You Are
Find Relief from Nerve Pain
If you’re living with symptoms of neuropathy and exploring non-invasive options, shockwave therapy may be the right next step. We build personalized care plans designed to help nerves heal and reduce chronic pain — not just manage symptoms.
Existing patients: Schedule directly through the FIT PHR app — on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
New to FIT? Call (504) 704-1254 or request an appointment online to schedule your initial consultation.
References
Castelli, G., Desai, K. M., & Cantone, R. E. (2020). Peripheral Neuropathy: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis. American Family Physician, 102(12), 732–739.
Gwathmey, K. G., & Pearson, K. T. (2019). Diagnosis and Management of Sensory Polyneuropathy. BMJ, 365, l1108. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l1108
Zeldin, E. R., et al. (2025). Non-Procedural Treatment Options for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain. Muscle & Nerve, 71(5), 791–801. doi.org/10.1002/mus.28286
Yang, L., et al. (2024). Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Nerve Conduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1493692. doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1493692
Jeong, H. J., et al. (2022). Application of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Nervous System Diseases: A Review. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9428455
Yamaya, S., et al. (2016). Low-Energy Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Effectively Prevented Diabetic Neuropathy. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4731656
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). The Evolving Use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Managing Musculoskeletal and Neurological Diagnoses. mayoclinic.org
