A Cortisone Shot Alternative in Fort Myers

What does a cortisone shot actually do?

Cortisone is a steroid. It is a strong medicine that calms swelling. A doctor puts it right into the sore spot with a needle.

For many people it works well for a while. That is why doctors use it. It can be the right call, and we are not here to talk you out of care your doctor recommends.

But a shot quiets the pain. It does not rebuild a worn tendon. When the medicine wears off, the problem under it may still be there.

Who asks us about SoftWave instead of a shot?

Picture a woman in her 60s from the McGregor corridor. She plays pickleball three mornings a week. Her elbow has had two shots this year. The last one lasted about a month. She is not against shots. She just wants to try something else before the third one.

Or a man from San Carlos Park with heel pain every morning. He hates needles. His foot doctor mentioned a shot. He wants to know his choices first.

Conditions our clinic treats with SoftWave include knee, shoulder, back and elbow pain, arthritis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and ligament damage. See knee pain treatment in Fort Myers or tennis elbow treatment for more.

What about gel shots and PRP?

Cortisone is not the only shot people get offered. Two others come up a lot:

• Gel shots (hyaluronic acid) add a slippery fluid to the knee joint. Results vary, and they are mostly used for knee arthritis.
• PRP (platelet-rich plasma) uses part of your own blood, spun down and shot back into the sore spot. It is often paid for out of pocket.

For knee and hip arthritis, the American College of Rheumatology's 2019 guideline strongly recommends against PRP. Its main worry is that PRP is made too many different ways from clinic to clinic to know what you are getting. You can read the guideline summary. For tendon problems, ask your doctor what the research shows for your exact spot.

Our view: if you want something that needs no needle and no medicine, try SoftWave before any of these. If you are weighing a knee replacement, read that page too.

What happens at a SoftWave visit?

1. Mapping. We slide the wand over the sore area to find spots that react. This shows us where to treat.
2. Treatment. Gel goes on the skin. The wand taps over the sore spots. Most people feel a light thump.
3. Back to your day. No needle site to watch. You can drive home.

Matthew Mahoney runs your sessions. Dr. Lee Angle, D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic), oversees care at Upper Cervical Health Centers. He tried SoftWave on his own shoulder before he offered it to patients.

How do I book?

Call 239.243.8810 to book.

We are at 12651 McGregor Blvd Ste 102, Fort Myers, FL 33919. There is a large parking lot with a short walk to the door, and handicap-accessible parking. Get directions. Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm

See every condition we treat on the SoftWave Fort Myers home page.