Why Pain Often Returns After Cortisone Shots — and How StemWave Therapy Helps You Heal Naturally in Rochester Hills, MI

If you’ve ever gotten a cortisone shot for pain relief — whether for your shoulder, knee, or back — you probably remember that initial sense of relief. For a few weeks, maybe even months, the pain fades and life feels normal again.

But then, slowly, the ache creeps back. Before long, you’re right back where you started — sometimes worse.

So why does this happen? And what makes StemWave therapy at Restore Physical Therapy in Rochester Hills such a powerful, long-term alternative?

1. Cortisone Shots Don’t Fix the Root Cause

Cortisone injections are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can quickly reduce swelling and irritation. That’s why pain seems to “magically” disappear after the shot.

But here’s the problem:
➡️ They don’t repair damaged tissue like tendons, ligaments, or cartilage.
➡️ They don’t stimulate blood flow or regeneration.
➡️ And repeated injections can weaken tissue and joints over time.

Think of it like silencing a smoke alarm without putting out the fire — you’ve stopped the noise, but the problem is still burning underneath.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, cortisone injections are best used for short-term relief — not as a long-term solution.

2. Pain Relief Is Temporary — and Sometimes Misleading

Most people experience only short-term relief from cortisone, typically lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Once the medication wears off, inflammation and pain often return.

Because the underlying injury hasn’t healed, patients often get stuck in a frustrating cycle of repeat injections, rest, and eventually, surgical recommendations.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of our patients in Rochester Hills, Troy, and Auburn Hills have been down this same path before discovering StemWave.

3. Real Patient Story — Avoiding Surgery and Finding Relief with StemWave

One of our patients suffered from a rotator cuff tear that caused 8/10 pain and severely limited her shoulder movement since 2021.

She was told her only options were surgery or cortisone shots, but she wanted to avoid both and try something non-invasive first.

That’s when she decided to try StemWave therapy at Restore Physical Therapy.

After just 8 minutes of treatment, her pain dropped from 8/10 to 1/10, and she immediately regained full motion of her shoulder — something she hadn’t been able to do in years.

You can watch her incredible transformation in the before-and-after video below.

Before-and-after video of a rotator cuff tear patient showing pain relief and restored shoulder movement after StemWave therapy at Restore Physical Therapy in Rochester Hills.

4. How StemWave Works — Healing From the Inside Out

Unlike cortisone shots that mask inflammation, StemWave therapy uses gentle, targeted acoustic sound waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing response.

Here’s how it helps your body heal:
✅ Increases blood flow and oxygenation to injured tissues
✅ Stimulates dormant stem cells to repair damage
✅ Breaks down scar tissue and adhesions
✅ Reduces chronic inflammation — naturally

Instead of turning off your pain signals, StemWave helps your body repair what’s causing the pain.

To learn more about how it works, visit our page on StemWave Therapy in Rochester Hills.

5. Real Healing Means Long-Term Results

Because StemWave works with your body’s biology, results last longer than injections. Most patients see progressive improvement as new, healthy tissue forms and circulation improves.

Even after your treatment series ends, your body continues healing naturally from within.

6. When to Consider Switching to StemWave

If you’ve had one or more cortisone shots and your pain keeps returning, your body may be saying:

“I need healing — not numbing.”

StemWave may be right for you if you’re dealing with:

• Rotator cuff tears or shoulder tendonitis

• Chronic knee, hip, or elbow pain

• Plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendon pain

• Old injuries that never fully healed

• Pain that returns after cortisone shots

• Wanting to avoid surgery or long-term medications

7. Final Thoughts

Cortisone shots can temporarily calm inflammation — but they don’t rebuild tissue or restore function, which is why pain often returns.

StemWave therapy, available right here at Restore Physical Therapy in Rochester Hills, helps your body heal at the source — without drugs, needles, or surgery.

If you’re ready to stop chasing temporary relief and start truly healing, StemWave could be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Schedule Your Free Discovery Session

Restore Physical Therapy – serving Rochester Hills, Troy, Auburn Hills & Oakland Township, MI
Call or text (248) 844-2665
🌐 Visit restoreptwellness.com

We’ll help you find out if you’re a good candidate for StemWave therapy — and you may even notice results during your very first visit.