In this informative episode, Dr. Kate Eckert breaks down how advanced therapies like laser and shockwave can safely help student athletes of all ages—from elementary school through high school. Whether it's treating acute injuries, chronic conditions, or preventing future problems, Dr. Kate shares her expertise on age-appropriate treatments that get young athletes back in the game faster and stronger.

From wound healing to ankle sprains, headaches to knee injuries, discover how these cutting-edge therapies are revolutionizing youth sports medicine while keeping safety as the top priority.

Key Highlights:

• Safe laser therapy for kids as young as 6-8 years old
• Shockwave treatment starting around age 8 for specific conditions
• Real success stories: Sever's disease, tension headaches, and sports injuries
• Why ankle braces might be doing more harm than good
• The connection between ankle injuries and knee problems in female athletes
• Treating partial tears and chronic sprains with regenerative therapy
• How fibrous adhesions from old injuries affect adult athletes
• Personalized treatment plans: rest vs. staying in season
• The importance of early intervention for faster healing

In this essential episode, Dr. Kate Eckert breaks down the reality of healing timelines and why following your prescribed treatment plan is crucial for success. If you've ever wondered why some people get instant relief while others need weeks to see results, this episode is for you. Dr. Kate shares the three different patient response patterns she sees and explains why patience and compliance are your best allies in the healing process.

This is a must-listen for anyone considering shockwave therapy, decompression, or any regenerative treatment—and especially important if you're used to the "quick fix" mentality of steroid shots and epidurals.

Key Highlights:

• The 3 types of patient responses: One-hit wonders, gradual improvers, and delayed responders
• Why most people start seeing results after "a few visits" but need the full 6 weeks
• The subset of patients who feel worse initially but achieve complete pain resolution at 6-8 weeks
• How rest and activity modification impact your healing timeline
• Why treating multiple areas at once can backfire
• The importance of focusing on ONE problem area at a time
• How jobs that require standing all day affect plantar fasciitis treatment
• Why the first visit isn't actually a "treatment"—it's diagnostic
• Cell regeneration takes 2-3 months: managing delayed onset relief
• When to combine shockwave with decompression for disc issues
• Dr. Kate's "gold standard" approach: 3 visits per week for optimal results
• The personal value equation: avoiding surgery vs. cost considerations

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Lori Parel, a 70-year-old retired nurse who worked for 44 years while battling chronic pain from a car accident at age 24. After being told by multiple doctors to "learn to live with the pain," Lori shares how she went from taking a minimum of 8 Advil daily for 20 years to being completely medication-free through shockwave therapy and lifestyle changes.

Lori's story proves that age is just a number and that it's never too late to reclaim your active lifestyle and break free from chronic pain cycles.

• How a 24-year-old car accident created 50 years of chronic pain
• The hidden connection between jaw clenching, driving stress, and hip pain
• Why 44 years of nursing took a toll on her body (and how she's reversing it)
• More active at 70 than she was at 40, 50, or 60!
• Swimming 2-3x per week, biking 12+ miles, plus gardening and walking
• The importance of being an active participant in your healing journey
• How shockwave therapy treated her shoulder, feet, hips, and ankle
• Breaking unconscious pain patterns and stress responses
• Why waiting 6 months to address pain makes recovery harder