Shockwave Therapy

The next generation in the treatment of tendon pain.

Shockwave Therapy Machine

Are you suffering with…

  • Achilles Tendinopathy / Plantar Fasciitis  (Foot/ ankle pain/ heel pain?)
  • Tennis / Golfers Elbow  (Elbow pain?)
  • Shoulder pain?
  • Pain on the outer side of your hip?

Shockwave Therapy could be the answer you have been looking for!

For many people, pain in these areas are the result of tendon issues . Examples of tendon problems include Achilles Tendinopathy (also known as Achilles Tendonitis) or tennis elbow. These conditions can stay present for a long time! Besides being painful they can interfere with enjoyable activities such as walking, running or playing sports like golf or tennis. Sometimes they can be stubborn and for that reason don’t always respond fully to conventional treatments. If you have any of these conditions then Shockwave could be the solution for you!

Shockwave Therapy is a highly effective treatment for long standing pain conditions originating from tendons, proving effective where other treatments have been unsuccessful.

It has been given approval from NICE as a safe and effected treatment. As a result Shockwave is recommended in a number of NICE guidelines for the treatment of tendon related conditions. See below for links to these guidelines.

It is really common for people with persistent tendon pain to just try and manage thereby stopping activities they enjoy. One option is steroid injections which may only provide limited, short term relief. In some cases this can weaken the tendon structures. Another option is surgery which is invasive and risky with the prospect of further complications. Shockwave can provide an effective alternative.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwaves have been used in medicine since the 1980’s where they were originally (and still are) used to disintegrate kidney stones. In modern pain therapy a device is used to pass acoustic shockwaves through the skin to the effected area. These shockwaves:

  • Break down injured tissues and calcifications
  • Increase blood circulation and metabolism thereby stimulating and accelerating the healing processes.
  • Provide an analgesic effect (pain relief) through a process known as hyper stimulation analgesia due to cellular tissue microtrauma.

How many treatments are necessary?

Usually a course of around 5 treatments are required but significant, noticeable improvements should be expected after the first 3.

Advantages of Shockwave Treatment

  • It works and is backed up by a strong clinical evidence base
  • It is non invasive and safe
  • No risk of tendon rupture as may rarely occur with steroid injections
  • It has NICE approval
  • Can bring immediate pain relief

Disadvantages of Shockwave Treatment

  • Discomfort during treatment may occur,  however intensity can be modified to limit this
  • Results are cumulative and continue for 6-8 weeks following treatment. Therefor the best results are not immediate.

Shockwave Therapy is not appropriate under the following circumstances

  • If you are pregnant
  • Have had a Cortico-Steroid injection in the area in the past 3 months
  • Presence of a Cardiac Pacemaker
  • Over or near bone growth centres until bone growth is complete
  • Malignancy is known to be present in or near the treatment area
  • Treatment site has open wounds, skin rashes, swollen, inflamed or infected areas
  • Over ischemic tissues in individuals with vascular disease
  • Coagulation disorder or taking anticoagulant/anti-platelet medications (such as Warfarin or Asprin)
  • History of latex allergy or allergy to coupling solution

To find out if Shockwave Therapy is suitable for you, give us a call or book a free 10 minute phone call. We are happy to talk through your symptoms and discuss whether Shockwave would be right for you. Book you free telephone call here.

Watch our video to find out more about Shockwave Therapy

*NICE guidelines for the treatment of: