Services
Shockwave Therapy (StemWave) in San Francisco
Get back to moving freely with RN-led, physician-supervised StemWave therapy at our North Beach clinic. This non-surgical treatment uses focused acoustic pulses to stimulate your body’s natural healing response, helping reduce pain and improve mobility in common tendon and soft tissue conditions.
Convenient for patients from Fisherman’s Wharf, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, Russian Hill, the Financial District, Union Square, and the Marina District.
Why Patients Choose Shockwave Therapy in San Francisco
StemWave therapy, also called acoustic shockwave therapy or ESWT, uses focused acoustic pulses to target painful or overused tissues. These pulses trigger a natural healing response that helps reduce pain, restore mobility, and support recovery without surgery.
- Effective for tendon and soft tissue pain
- Quick, in-office procedure with no downtime
- RN-led, physician-supervised care for safety
At Laser Clear Skin, patients across San Francisco, from athletes in the Marina to professionals in the Financial District, choose StemWave as a trusted, non-surgical option when rest, stretching, or medications haven’t been enough.
Conditions We Treat
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Plantar fasciitis / heel pain
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Achilles tendinopathy
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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
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Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
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Patellar tendinopathy / jumper’s knee
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Hamstring or gluteal tendinopathy
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Shoulder calcific tendinitis / rotator cuff overuse
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Shin splints / medial tibial stress
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Myofascial trigger points
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Back pain and neck pain (FDA cleared for C2 and below)
Note: accurate diagnosis is key. For complex cases, we may recommend coordination with your primary care provider, physical therapist, or orthopedist.
How StemWave Shockwave Therapy Works
- Assess & Map: We review your history, note pain points, and explain what to expect.
- Targeted Acoustic Pulses: Controlled energy is delivered for 2–5 minutes per area, always adjusted so you can stay relaxed throughout.
- Quick Sessions, No Downtime: Visits last about 15 minutes total. You can return to normal activity immediately.
- Series for Best Results: Most patients complete 6–10 sessions, scheduled twice per week. By the third session, inflammation is usually calmed and the device is actively promoting healing, recruiting your body’s own repair cells to the area. Clinical studies show tendon healing times can improve by up to 50%.
Who It’s For (and Who It Isn’t)
Good candidates include:
- Persistent tendon, joint, or soft tissue pain not improving with rest
- Overuse injuries from sports, repetitive activity, or work strain
- Post-surgical healing support to improve mobility and reduce discomfort
- Patients looking for a non-surgical option with little to no downtime
Not ideal for:
- Patients with pacemakers or defibrillators
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with active cancer
- Active infection or open wounds at the treatment site
We can safely treat over surgical implants, such as knee replacements, and carefully screen every patient to ensure StemWave therapy is appropriate for your situation.
Treatment Process at Our North Beach Clinic
1.
Consult & Same-Day Session
We’ll review your history and goals, then begin treatment right away. Because sessions are quick and risk-free, you don’t pay if you don’t feel results after your first try, most patients start the same day.
2.
Session
A gel is applied, and acoustic pulses are delivered for about 2–5 minutes per area. Intensity is always adjusted so you can stay relaxed and comfortable.
3.
Post-Session Guidance
Most patients return immediately to daily activities. We simply recommend avoiding unusually strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours.
4.
Series & Spacing
Typical protocols include 6–10 sessions, spaced twice per week, for lasting relief.
5.
Follow-Up
We check in on your progress at each visit. While StemWave isn’t a replacement for your primary provider, it’s a safe tool to support healing and improve quality of life.
Results & Expectations
- Many patients feel pain relief immediately, often after their very first session.
- Optimal results typically build after completing a 6–10 session series.
- We offer a no-risk guarantee: if you don’t notice any results after your first treatment and choose not to continue, you’ll get your money back.
- Some patients experience mild soreness for 1–2 days, but there’s no redness or downtime.
Local Expertise — Why Choose Laser Clear Skin
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In-Office Safety Protocols
Screening for medications, implants, and clot risks.
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Patient-Centered Aftercare
No downtime, most clients return to daily life immediately.
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Added Value
Apply 50% of skincare / supplements / fragrance and 25% of aesthetic services as credit toward StemWave. Pain relief should feel accessible and rewarding.
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North Beach Location
Steps from Fisherman’s Wharf, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, Russian Hill, and the Financial District.
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Community-Focused
Local SF artists featured in-clinic, with 100% of sales going back to them.
Directions to Our Clinic
We’re located at 414 Francisco Street, San Francisco, CA 94133, right in North Beach. We’re a short walk from:
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Telegraph Hill / Coit Tower
- Chinatown
- Russian Hill
- Financial District
Street parking and nearby garages are available, and Muni lines stop within a few blocks.
Start Your Non-Surgical Pain Relief in San Francisco
From Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square, patients trust our RN-led team for safe, effective, non-surgical shockwave therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
StemWave is a type of acoustic shockwave therapy (ESWT) used to treat tendon and soft tissue pain. At our North Beach clinic in San Francisco, it delivers focused acoustic pulses that stimulate healing, reduce pain, and restore mobility, all without surgery.
We often see San Francisco patients for knee pain (especially from walking hills), back pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis/golfer’s elbow, shoulder calcific tendinitis, jumper’s knee, and shin splints. We’ll review your history to confirm candidacy.
Our standard protocol is 6–10 sessions, usually twice per week. Each visit takes about 15 minutes, with treatment itself lasting ~5 minutes per area. Most clients notice relief quickly, with long-term or even permanent improvements building after a full series.
StemWave should never feel painful. The goal is always for you to relax through treatment, like a therapeutic massage where a sore spot might feel tender, but still comfortable. If at any point it feels too strong, we immediately adjust the settings until you’re relaxed. Pushing through pain is never the goal. Some clients may notice mild soreness the next day, but even that can be prevented by keeping the intensity at a comfortable level.
There’s no downtime. Most clients leave our North Beach office and get right back to daily activities. We only recommend avoiding unusually strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours.
We do not treat over pacemakers, defibrillators, or during pregnancy. Otherwise, StemWave is safe for most, including those with metal implants. Every patient is screened at their first visit to ensure safety.
Many patients feel pain relief immediately after the first or second session. For lasting results, completing the full 6–10 session protocol is key.
Insurance typically does not cover StemWave in a medspa setting. However, we do accept FSA payments, and we also offer special package deals to make care more accessible, including applying 50% of skincare, supplement, or perfume purchases and 25% of aesthetic service purchases as credit toward StemWave sessions.
Laser Clear Skin MedSpa is at 414 Francisco Street, San Francisco, CA 94133, in North Beach. We’re walking distance from Fisherman’s Wharf, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, and Russian Hill, and a short drive from Union Square and the Marina.