Alternative Wellness: SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Therapy
Treat chronic pain, physical dysfunction without surgery or medication
Tricia Swenson/Vail Daily
Editor’s Note: The Vail Daily’s Tricia Swenson searched the valley for alternative wellness modalities that are lesser-known and have proven benefits. Follow this series and take steps to improve your well-being and see which offerings work for you.
The Vail Valley is a recreational mecca, but when pain holds you back, you can’t enjoy the multitude of activities that are out there. Whether it’s tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome or knee pain — even after knee replacement surgery — these conditions can keep you sedentary, but there may be hope with the help of SoftWave.
SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology is a state-of-the-art technology that can treat a variety of tissue, muscle, tendon, nerve and physical and sexual dysfunctions without surgery or medication. Dr. Tom Palic, chiropractor and owner of the Palic Clinic, is bringing this revolutionary technology to the Western Slope and adding this modality to his sports medicine and functional neurology protocols at his facility in Edwards.
“We’ve had the SoftWave technology for the past two months and we’ve probably treated over 100 people with it already. It is acoustic shock wave therapy which increases blood flow and then creates a small type of ‘damage’ to create stem cells and growth factors to help heal the area,” Palic said. “Dry needling does something similar, but this is a way broader and deeper penetrating technology.”
With only 1,300 SoftWave Regenerative Technology devices in use in the world, Dr. Palic invested in bringing SoftWave’s technology to increase blood supply, reduce inflammation, activate stem cells, and restore tissue elasticity to patients and athletes.
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“My buddy is one of the chiropractors for the Kansas City Chiefs and they bought one for the team and then he bought one for his office and he was pressuring me to get this for three years and then I bit the bullet and bought one. And now I’ve already recommended it to three other colleagues,” Palic said.
In a short amount of time, Palic’s patients have seen results, which is rewarding.
“After months of traditional and non-traditional methods of therapy for my chronic knee issues, I was given the opportunity to experience a SoftWave treatment with Dr. Palic. The difference was substantial and immediate. I have continued to feel significant improvements with each treatment and my mother was also fortunate enough to receive a treatment while she was visiting. She went from not being able to walk up and down stairs without pain and assistance to taking a mile and half walk with me and my son the next day, pain-free,” said Evin Garretson.
“We work on meniscus, arthritic knees and even people who still have pain after a knee replacement, that means the soft tissue’s not healthy because the new knee is good, right? So, we’re shocking and breaking up all the scar tissue and old tissue and it’s worked really well,” Palic said. “There are a lot of people who get a knee replacement and still have pain and they’re frustrated because they thought it was going to be taken care of. This can help.”
It can also help with swelling and mobility. Quinn Cozzens is 13 and fractured his tibia and fibula skiing.
“Once I got out of my cast, I went to Tom Palic and he did SoftWave therapy on my foot and ankle. It immediately helped me regain motion and strength back. It also helped tremendously with the swelling. I am still doing the SoftWave therapy and I’m seeing improvement every day,” Cozzens said.
I went in for my carpal tunnel on my right and left wrists. The SoftWave technology is administered via what is called a wand which is a device that distributes the energy to a large area of both superficial and deep tissue. I started out at Level 7 and eventually made my way up to Level 10. It doesn’t really hurt, but you can feel it for sure, especially when Dr. Palic dials it up. But afterward, my wrists just felt lighter, and over time I had less numbness.
The technology SoftWave utilizes isn’t new, it’s just refined.
“It’s really old technology that has been repurposed. It is called lithotripsy, which is how they break up kidney stones but those are massive machines, and you have to be put under anesthesia because it is really painful, so this is like a mini lithotripsy machine with technology repurposed on a smaller scale and it has six FDA clearances that are on the website,” Palic said.
It also helps with neuropathy. Kevin Kenny completed chemotherapy five years ago but had neuropathy on his feet.
“Dr. Palic and the Palic Clinic researched and attempted several treatments to alleviate my pain and discomfort. Their new SoftWave technology has significantly reduced my pain and discomfort in just 10 treatments,” Kenney said. “I would recommend the Palic Clinic for anyone struggling with pain. Dr. Palic truly cares for his patients and seeks new advanced technology to stay at the forefront of solutions for his patients.”
If you’re curious if SoftWave can help you, Palic offers a Discovery Session that is $75 and if you feel a difference, you can join a program.
“Typically, it is twice a week for four weeks. And the rough cost for the whole series is around $1,000, but, if that can help you avoid surgery, that’s a good investment,” Palic said. SoftWave is not covered by insurance, but you can use your HSA Savings or other health savings plans.
“A lot of people are finishing one joint and wanting to start another. Let’s say the knee joint feels better, then they want to move on to their shoulder joint,” Palic said. “So, I’d say 85% to 90% of people who do the demo, do the whole program.”
To learn more, give the Palic Clinic a call at 970-766-7100 or visit PalicClinic.com and try a demo to help you stay active in our environment.
