Powered by SoftWave TRTPalatine & Northfield, IL
Shockwave Therapy in Palatine & Northfield, IL
Shockwave Pain Institute provides advanced, non-invasive shockwave therapy for persistent musculoskeletal pain — evaluated and delivered by a licensed health care provider at our Palatine and Northfield, Illinois locations. No injections. No surgery. A focused evaluation to determine what's actually going on and whether treatment makes sense for you.
New Patient Offer
New Patient Exam + First Treatment — $99
First treatment provided when clinically appropriate following your examination.
Why we choose SoftWave TRT
Hear from our founder, Dr. Mark LeVee, DC
Shockwave devices aren’t all the same. Hear Dr. LeVee explain why he chooses SoftWave TRT and what its broad-focused technology means for your care.
- Provider-led care
- Non-invasive treatment
- Palatine & Northfield locations
- SoftWave TRT technology
- Personalized evaluation
When pain gets in the way
Some days it's manageable. Other days it decides how your day goes.
Maybe you've tried stretching, new shoes, a foam roller, physical therapy, or an injection. Maybe you've been told to give it more time. But if pain is still getting in the way of walking, working, exercising, or sleeping, more time isn't a plan. It's time to look at a different option.
Questions we hear often
- "Why hasn't this gone away on its own?"
- "Do I really need surgery, or another injection?"
- "Is there something else worth trying first?"
- "Is this treatment even legitimate?"
Start here
Where does it hurt?
Browse conditions by the area that's bothering you. Every page explains the condition in plain language, what the research says, and where shockwave therapy may — or may not — fit.
Powered by SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic energy to stimulate the body's own repair response. Research explores how it supports blood flow, influences inflammation, and activates cellular signals involved in tissue repair. We evaluate patients with arthritic joint pain, tendon and ligament injuries, and other musculoskeletal concerns to determine where it may fit.
Not all shockwave technology is the same. SoftWave uses an electrohydraulic system with a patented parabolic reflector designed to distribute acoustic energy across a broad treatment area. Other applicators concentrate energy into a smaller focal zone, while radial devices deliver pressure waves with different physical characteristics. We choose SoftWave to address a wider area of tissue as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Explore the research on tissue repair and inflammatory signaling.
Why patients consider it
Non-invasive
No incisions, no needles as part of the treatment itself.
Drug-free modality
No medication required as part of treatment.
Focused evaluation first
Treatment decisions follow a clinical examination, not a form you fill out online.
Little disruption to daily life
Most patients return to normal activity the same day, when appropriate for their case.
The process
How it works
Clinical Evaluation
A provider examines your specific complaint and history to understand what's actually going on.
Determine Appropriateness
Your provider discusses whether shockwave therapy is a reasonable option for your case — and if not, what they'd recommend instead.
Targeted Treatment
If appropriate, treatment is delivered to the specific area involved, typically over a short series of visits.
Monitor Response
Your provider tracks how you're responding and adjusts the plan as needed.
What we treat
Common conditions we evaluate for shockwave therapy
Start with these common concerns. Your evaluation determines whether shockwave therapy fits your diagnosis, symptoms, and goals; research varies by condition.
New Patient Offer
New Patient Exam + First Treatment — $99
We built the $99 visit to lower the barrier to getting a real evaluation — not as a discount gimmick. You receive an honest exam and, when appropriate, your first treatment. Additional sessions and package options may be discussed after the evaluation when clinically appropriate.
First treatment provided when clinically appropriate following your examination.
What's included
- Provider evaluation
- Relevant history discussion
- Physical/clinical evaluation appropriate to your complaint
- Discussion of whether shockwave therapy is appropriate for you
- First treatment, when clinically appropriate, the same visit
Our technology
SoftWave TRT
Shockwave Pain Institute uses SoftWave TRT, an electrohydraulic shockwave system designed to deliver acoustic energy across a broad treatment area.
- German engineering. SoftWave devices are manufactured by MTS Medical in Konstanz, Germany. Its founders' work in clinical shockwave technology dates to the 1990s.
- Patented design. A parabolic reflector distributes acoustic energy across a broad treatment zone.
- Experience across applicator designs. MTS develops focused, soft-focused, and broad-focused applicators using electrohydraulic technology.
- FDA-cleared. The OrthoGold 100 has FDA 510(k) clearance for specified indications. Our SoftWave TRT page includes the verified record and its scope.
Manufacturer sources: MTS history and applicator technology.
Why Dr. Mark LeVee chose SoftWave TRT
Hear the story behind Shockwave Pain Institute.
Who treats you
Meet Dr. Mark LeVee, DC
Dr. LeVee is a personable and dedicated provider who values genuine, long-lasting relationships with his patients. Having experienced multiple surgeries himself, he understands how frustrating pain can be and is passionate about helping patients explore thoughtful, non-invasive options for returning to the activities they enjoy.
Chiropractor | Lead Clinical Provider
Evidence
What research says
We link directly to the research — systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized trials — and explain what each study found in plain language.
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and tolerability of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with plantar fasciopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine · 2024
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Meta-analysis
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · 2020
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Treatment of Jumper's Knee with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of Human Kinetics · 2022
Reducing uncertainty
What to expect
From before your visit through follow-up recommendations, we walk through exactly what a new patient visit looks like — so there are no surprises.
Weighing your options
How shockwave therapy compares
Explore how treatment options differ and where each may fit. Tap a card for a quick answer, or open the full comparison.
Cortisone injections often relieve pain faster, but effects can fade and repeated injections carry their own considerations. Shockwave therapy works differently: it can influence inflammatory signaling while stimulating the body's own repair processes. The goal is lasting improvement in pain and function; results vary by condition and individual.
Read the full comparisonThese aren't mutually exclusive. Physical therapy builds strength and mobility over time; shockwave therapy targets the tissue itself. Many patients do both, sequenced around what their provider recommends.
Read the full comparisonFor appropriate conditions, shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive option to explore before surgery. Your evaluation helps identify whether it could support your recovery or whether a surgical consultation is the better next step.
Read the full comparisonVisit us
Two Chicagoland locations
Choose the Shockwave Pain Institute location that is most convenient for you. Appointment availability may vary by location.
Palatine, IL
600 N North CtSuite 120
Palatine, IL 60067
hello@shockwavepaininstitute.com
Palatine hours
- Monday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday & Thursday: 9 AM – 11 AM and 4 PM – 6 PM
- Wednesday & Friday: 12 PM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 11 AM
- Sunday: Closed
Northfield, IL
1845 Oak StreetSuite #1
Northfield, IL 60093
hello@shockwavepaininstitute.com
Northfield hours
- Monday & Wednesday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 3 PM
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic pressure waves through the skin to an area of chronic musculoskeletal pain, most often a tendon or area of soft-tissue irritation. It's been studied for a range of overuse conditions, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and others. Learn more on our Shockwave Therapy page.
SoftWave TRT is the specific shockwave technology used at Shockwave Pain Institute, manufactured by Tissue Regeneration Technologies. Learn more, including verified FDA regulatory information, on our SoftWave TRT page.
SoftWave TRT is a specific brand and technology within the broader category of shockwave therapy. Not all "shockwave" devices are the same — they can differ in how the pressure wave is generated and delivered. Our SoftWave TRT page explains the distinction.
Shockwave therapy has been studied in numerous randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews across a range of musculoskeletal conditions, published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Like any treatment, evidence quality and effect size vary by condition — we've tried to represent that honestly on our Research page rather than overstate it.
The SoftWave TRT device used at our clinic (the OrthoGold 100) received FDA 510(k) clearance — not "approval," which is a different regulatory pathway — for relief of minor muscle aches and pains, temporary increase in local blood circulation, and activation of connective tissue. "Cleared" and "approved" mean different things under FDA regulations, and we try to use the accurate term throughout this site. See our SoftWave TRT page for the full regulatory record.
Most patients describe a firm tapping or pressure sensation, with some tenderness directly over the treated area — tenderness is often highest right where you're already sore. Discomfort is generally manageable and brief; your provider can adjust treatment intensity based on your feedback.
New Patient Exam + First Treatment — $99
First treatment provided when clinically appropriate following your examination.