Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment which is helpful in providing pain relief for patients suffering from a number of common painful orthopaedic conditions or sports injuries.

How does shockwave therapy work?

Shockwave is a safe, non-invasive treatment which uses sound wave energy to reduce pain and re-activate the body’s natural healing processes.

What conditions can be treated?

Shockwave therapy can be used to treat chronic tendon inflammations in the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, Achilles and sole of the foot. It is recommended for conditions such as:

• heel pain (plantar fasciitis)
• tennis elbow
• tendonitis of the shoulder
• tendinopathies of the Achilles tendon
• hamstring and patella as well as other painful areas like trochanteric bursitis.

What does shockwave therapy involve?

The therapist will first assess you and your symptoms to make sure shockwave is the right treatment for you. You will normally have three or more treatments, one week apart. It is delivered using an applicator that produces vibrations which in turn transmit the shockwaves to your tissues. It can feel uncomfortable and this is carefully monitored by your therapist, who can take steps to reduce the intensity of the treatment.

How successful is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave has been shown to be effective in up to 70% of patients treated although this figure can be improved if the treatment is used together with other interventions such as strength exercises, activity modification etc. Your therapist will advise you what else you need to do to improve your symptoms and return to your chosen activities.