Healing Beyond the Surface: Combining Shockwave Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
In the world of regenerative medicine, two non-invasive therapies are gaining traction for their ability to accelerate healing and reduce pain: Shockwave Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). While each therapy offers unique benefits on its own, recent interest has grown around their synergistic effects when used together. Could this be the future of tissue regeneration and recovery?
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), uses acoustic waves to deliver targeted energy to injured tissues. Originally developed for breaking up kidney stones, it’s now widely used in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy for conditions like:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendinitis (Achilles, patellar, etc.)
- Calcific shoulder tendinopathy
- Muscle strains and myofascial pain
At ChillRx we incorporate shockwaves into our esthetic and sexual health solutions as well. We offer shockwave for the face and neck (called Fascia Building Facial) and Fascia Blasting treatments for fat and cellulite removal.
For sexual health, shockwaves are incredible for regenerating nerve function, tissue and blood flow.
How It Works:
Shockwaves stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms by:
- Increasing blood flow
- Promoting collagen production
- Breaking down scar tissue
- Stimulating cellular repair
Patients often report pain reduction and increased mobility after just a few sessions, without the need for surgery or long-term medications. For esthetic outcomes, patients are seeing thicker skin, less wrinkles and scarring (pitting) and improved “glow” from the lymphatic drainage and improved circulatory effects.
For the body – the effects can also be instant + progressive. Cellulite bonds are broken up leading to smoother thighs, stomach and arms. Shockwaves also break apart fat cells leading to leaner and more contoured areas of the body. Our shockwave device is FDA-approved for cellulite reduction so we know you will see excellent results.
For sexual health, most men see stronger, longer lasting performance. Many men also see improvement in curvature due to the effects of breaking up scar tissue. Better blood flow can also increase size, a concern for many men over 40.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
HBOT involves breathing supplemental oxygen through a nasal cannula in a pressurized chamber, typically 1.2 to 2 times the normal atmospheric pressure. This process allows oxygen to dissolve more efficiently into the bloodstream, saturating tissues—even those with compromised blood flow.
ChillRx offers mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy which means our hbot has air inside, not 100% oxygen. Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered recreational compared to medical grade hbot and does not require physician oversight. Additionally, since our hbot has air inside the chamber there are no risks for volatility and clients can utilize electronic devices inside.
How It Works:
HBOT enhances the body’s natural healing by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Stimulating stem cell release
- Increasing mitochondrial function
- Enhancing angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
Emerging uses include recovery from surgery and injuries, neurological disorders (like post-stroke rehabilitation), long-covid, lyme disease and chronic fatigue. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also has significant anti-aging and esthetic impact by triggering stem cells, collagen fibroblasts and reducing inflammation (a main driver for aging). Since hyperbaric oxygen can also trigger angiogenesis, it is a great tool for sexual health solutions as well.
Better Together: A Synergistic Approach
While both therapies are effective individually, using them in combination may yield enhanced outcomes for certain conditions.
Why Combine Them?
- Shockwave therapy promotes an initial injury-like response that stimulates tissue regeneration.
- HBOT then supercharges the healing process by delivering more oxygen to damaged tissues, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting cellular repair.
Together, they may:
- Halt and reverse age-related conditions
- Accelerate recovery in soft tissue injuries
- Improve outcomes in chronic pain
- Enhance post-surgical healing
- Improve physical and mental performance
This integrative approach is particularly appealing to individuals seeking non-pharmacological, minimally invasive solutions in all areas of health, wellness and beauty.
- Shockwave Therapy: Typically administered once a week for 3–6 sessions. Discomfort during treatment is possible but temporary.
- HBOT: Sessions last 60–90 minutes, with a course often spanning 10–40 treatments depending on the condition.
ChillRx medical and esthetic staff can determine the ideal protocol based on your current health status and goals.
Final Thoughts
Shockwave therapy and HBOT each tap into the body’s inherent ability to heal. This is the new direction for therapeutic and esthetic solutions. Controlled and non-damaging “injury” leads to regenerative change in the body. The combination of shockwaves + hyperbaric oxygen may offer a powerful, complementary pathway to recovery. If you’re dealing with aging, chronic pain, slow-healing injuries, or considering alternatives to surgery, it may be worth exploring these therapies at ChillRx!