Shockwave therapy · Book a visit

Your First Shockwave Visit in Addison

Shockwave starts with an evaluation, not a session. A provider looks at your pain first and decides whether shockwave is a reasonable option for you.

Book a shockwave consultation (214) 233-3094

In short

Your first visit is with Charles Ortega, PA-C or Rowena Calleja, PT, in English or Spanish. They take your history, examine the painful area and decide whether focused shockwave is appropriate, or whether physical therapy, imaging or a referral should come first. We do not do surgery. Bring prior imaging reports, a list of your medicines (especially blood thinners), clothing that lets us reach the area, and your insurance card for the office visit.

Updated October 30, 2026 · Educational information, not medical advice. Results vary, and not everyone is a candidate.

Why we start with an evaluation

Heel, elbow, shoulder and tendon pain can have more than one cause. Pain that looks like a tendon problem can come from a nerve, a joint or something else entirely, and those are handled differently. Shockwave has been studied for a handful of specific tendon and soft-tissue problems, so the first job is to work out what is actually going on.

Research on shockwave is mixed and results vary. Some trials found it helped on average and others did not, depending on the condition. That is another reason the decision is made one person at a time, after an exam. See what focused shockwave is for an overview of the research.

What the visit covers

At your first visit at our Addison clinic, your provider will go through:

Your history: where it hurts, how long it has hurt, what makes it better or worse, and what you have already tried, such as stretching, physical therapy, injections, braces or a change in footwear
Your health history and medicines, including anything that affects bleeding or healing
A hands-on exam of the painful area and how it moves and bears load
A review of any X-ray, ultrasound or MRI reports you bring
Whether shockwave is appropriate for you, or whether something else should come first
If shockwave fits, a plan: which area, how many sessions and how far apart

When something else should come first

Shockwave is one option a provider may consider, usually for pain that has lasted months despite standard care. It is not always the right place to start. Depending on what your provider finds, the recommendation might be:

Physical therapy first, or alongside shockwave. Exercise-based care is a first-line approach for many tendon problems, and PT is covered by insurance.
Imaging, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, when the exam suggests something that needs a closer look
A referral to a specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist, when your symptoms point that way
Not having shockwave at all, if something in your health history makes it a poor fit. See safety and side effects.

What we do not do

We do not perform surgery. When you need imaging we do not offer, or a specialist's opinion, we refer you and help you get there. Your provider will tell you plainly if they think shockwave is not a good fit.

Who you will see

Your evaluation is with one of our two providers. Charles Ortega, PA-C, MPAS has 27+ years of clinical experience, is fluent in English and Spanish, and works under supervising physician Dr. Nathan V. Nguyen. Rowena Calleja, PT is a Texas-licensed physical therapist. Atendemos a nuestros pacientes en español.

Your provider evaluates you and sets the plan. If you go ahead, trained medical staff perform the shockwave sessions, following that plan. At the first session, staff locate the most tender area to target. See what to expect for how a session runs.

What to bring

A little preparation makes the visit more useful:

Bring	Why it helps
Prior imaging reports (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI)	Your provider can see what has already been checked and avoid repeating tests
A list of your medicines and supplements, especially blood thinners	Some medicines affect bleeding or bruising and change whether or how shockwave is used
Comfortable clothing that exposes the painful area	Shorts for a knee or heel, a sleeveless top for a shoulder or elbow
Your insurance card and photo ID	Your office visit may be billable to insurance
Notes on what you have tried	Treatments, how long, and whether they helped

Do not stop any prescribed medicine before your visit unless the doctor who prescribed it tells you to.

Cost of the visit

Your office visit may be billable to insurance; the shockwave sessions are self-pay. We accept 200+ insurance plans and can check your benefits before you come in. Shockwave sessions can be paid per session or with Wellness Membership credits. See cost and memberships.

How to book

Book online, call (214) 233-3094, or send us a request and we will call you back. Tell us which area hurts and how long it has been going on. We are at 16901 Dallas Pkwy, Ste 210, Addison, TX 75001, a short drive from much of north Dallas.

Frequently asked questions

Call us and we will tell you whether your insurance plan needs a referral for the office visit. If you have seen another provider about the same pain, bring their notes or imaging reports.

The first visit is the evaluation. Your provider decides whether shockwave is appropriate and sets the plan; the timing of your first session depends on that plan. Ask when you book.

Then they will tell you why and what they suggest instead, such as physical therapy, imaging or a referral to a specialist.

Yes. Charles Ortega, PA-C is fluent in English and Spanish. Atendemos a nuestros pacientes en español.

Your office visit may be billable to insurance. The shockwave sessions themselves are self-pay. See cost and memberships.

Sources

Keep reading

See everything in the shockwave guide

Wondering whether shockwave fits your pain?

Book a consultation at our Addison clinic. A provider examines the area, explains your options, and tells you plainly whether focused shockwave makes sense for you.

Book Your Visit (214) 233-3094