Shockwave Therapy

Radial Shockwave therapy

A non-invasive treatment that offers rapid pain relief, accelerates the healing process, and enhances mobility restoration.

How does shockwave therapy work?

Our shockwave therapy is conducted by our qualified physios. It uses a pneumatically powered handpiece that generate radial shockwaves, which are transmitted to the site of the injury through a conducting gel. It utilises shockwaves to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms, making it an effective option for addressing various musculoskeletal conditions and improving overall functional recovery.


The treatment session uses 2000-3000 pulsed shockwaves into the affected area and lasts approximately 3-10 minutes. Most patients will notice some pain relief immediately after therapy, others can take up to 4-5 sessions to achieve significant pain relief.

What conditions can shockwave therapy be beneficial for?

Tennis and Golfers elbow:


Shockwave therapy is clinically proven (6) to reduce pain, improve function in patients with tennis elbow and is proven to be as effective as a steroid injection (7). 



Achilles Tendinopathy:


Shockwave therapy trials have confirmed excellent results with decreasing pain and increasing Achilles function compared with either shockwave therapy or exercises in isolation (8).



Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs: 


In a recent study, the authors looked at the efficacy of eight different types of treatment for plantar fasciitis. It was concluded that shockwave therapy ranked number one for best outcome and considered “optimal treatment” (9). In another study they showed that combining shockwave therapy with a physio-guided stretching program has been proven to deliver clinically superior outcomes for plantar fasciitis sufferers (10). 



Hip - Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome:


A randomised controlled clinical trial of 229 people showed shockwave therapy was significantly more successful than steroid injection (11).



Shin Splints - Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome:


A clinical trial showed that 40 of 47 shin splint sufferers were able to return to their preferred sport at their pre-injury level after 15 months, versus only 22 in a control group (12).



Calcifying Tendinopathy of the Shoulder:


Clinical trials revealed that shockwave therapy for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder showed good to excellent results in 87.9% of shoulders treated. Among shockwave patients, calcium deposits were completely eliminated in 21.2% and partially eliminated in 36.3% (13).



Chronic neck pain


Lower back pain


During your initial appointment your physiotherapist will: 


1. Comprehensive Assessment 💬

Our experienced practitioners will start by discussing your specific condition and its characteristics, focusing on areas that may benefit from shockwave therapy. By specifically pinpointing the precise source of your discomfort, we tailor our approach to ensure maximum efficacy.


2. Thorough Examination 📋

Next, we'll conduct a comprehensive physical examination, focusing on regions that may respond the best to shockwave therapy. Through advanced diagnostic techniques, we identify areas of tendon aggravation, tendon thickening and symptomatic areas of the tendon. This focused examination guides us in selecting the optimal treatment sites and dosage for precise shockwave application.


3. Provisional Diagnosis 📝

We will then collaborate with you to establish a precise diagnosis tailored to shockwave therapy. This diagnostic precision enables us to target specific musculoskeletal or soft tissue pathologies, paving the way for effective intervention and accelerated healing.



 4. Personalised Treatment Plan 📅

We will then devise a customised shockwave therapy treatment plan to address your unique needs. We will deliver focused energy pulses to the identified areas of tissue dysfunction, stimulating cellular repair processes, reducing pain sensitivity and promoting tissue regeneration.


5. Hands-On Therapy ✋

Alongside shockwave therapy, if appropriate, we may also integrate manual therapy techniques to optimise treatment outcomes. Hands-on modalities including soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation & manipulation may also be incorporated to further recovery and enhance your response to shockwave therapy, promoting functional recovery.



6. Education and Empowerment 🎓

Finally, we'll educate you about self-management strategies to support your recovery journey. We offer guidance on post-treatment care and may prescribe therapeutic exercises tailored to your condition to continue recovery outside of treatment times. By empowering you with the knowledge and tools to manage your symptoms proactively, we strive to facilitate long-term improvements in your overall function and well-being. 


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