Fort Smith, Arkansas (July 23, 2024) – Dr. Chris Ruppel, a chiropractor dedicated to treating fellow veterans at Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics in Arkansas, is deploying shockwave therapy to heal patients suffering from an array of injuries. Dr. Ruppel’s passion for finding alternative pain management solutions started at the age of 10 when a semi-truck driving 60 mph struck the door of the car in which he was riding.
“I suffered a concussion, broken nose, and complete lacerations to my upper lip and chin. I also had significant neck pain to the point I could no longer turn my neck side to side,” he said. “My mother, being the wonderful, caring nurse she is, insisted I see a chiropractor.”
Ten years later, long after recovering from his injuries in the car accident, Ruppel joined the U.S. Army’s Recon Sniper section and, during his two tours to Iraq, completed 87 convoy logistic patrol missions and four reconnaissance and surveillance missions. He was involved in nine improvised explosive device attacks, one of which caused two explosions as he rode on top of a gunner’s turret. Ruppel received shrapnel damage to his neck and ruptured one of his eardrums and cochlea. The injuries caused him to suffer severe migraines with vomiting, sensitivity to light, hot flashes, loss of balance, and significant pain. As a result of his service, he received the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, among other awards.
When Ruppel returned to civilian life, he found himself suffering from severe PTSD. Eager to use his hands to heal others like him, he sought a career in medicine, first working as a radiographic technologist before returning to school to receive his Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. He then applied for full-time work with the Veterans Affairs Administration and was chosen out of hundreds of applicants to treat patients at two VA clinics in Arkansas, one in Fort Smith and the other in Ozark.
“My veteran status which entails seven years as an Army sniper, two tours to Iraq, and a Purple Heart, was a huge determining factor in being hired by the VA,” Dr. Ruppel said.
At the VA, Dr. Ruppel started an extensive search for an application that he could use to help patients with diabetes and those who had surgical hardware. During his substantial research aimed at finding a device that would not be contraindicated, he discovered SoftWave TRT, a patented shockwave device that uses a broad-focused, low-intensity, extracorporeal shockwave (Li-ESWT) to promote both a physical and biological response to improve healing. Ruppel sought funding for the device through the VA and had to speak in front of a panel of more than 360 physicians to justify the purchase.
“I went out on a limb and the VA approved the funding. Now, my protocol is to use SoftWave on everything, and it’s been amazing,” he stated. “I had one patient who had no feeling in his foot for almost 20 years. When he first saw me, he was using a walker and had braces on his legs. After five treatments of SoftWave, he jumped off the exam table in disbelief that the feeling in his foot had returned. He no longer uses a walker and only occasionally must wear the braces on his legs.”
Dr. Ruppel recalled another patient who suffered from trigger finger, a condition that affects the tendon, making it difficult to bend or straighten a finger or thumb. Ruppel said after one treatment with SoftWave, his patient was able to make a full fist.
“My primary focus is to serve those who have served our great nation with honor and pride and, by using SoftWave, my patients are healing and showing a positive outcome no matter what I use it for,” he said. “I believe this device gives those comrades, our community of Veterans, the treatment they deserve for their selfless sacrifices and commitment.”
About SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies
SoftWave TRT, a Alpharetta, GA-based company, has been at the forefront of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) since its inception in 2004. With a reputation for German engineering excellence, SoftWave is trusted by leading medical research centers in the United States and around the globe. The efficacy of the company’s technology is backed by hundreds of published studies. SoftWave’s devices have received FDA 510(k) clearance for connective tissue activation, chronic diabetic foot ulcer treatment, acute second-degree burn management, pain reduction, and improved blood supply.
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