Shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a well-researched treatment for long-lasting problems in tendons and muscle attachments. Short, powerful pressure waves increase blood flow and stimulate the body's own healing. The treatment can also calm an oversensitive pain system, so the pain eases.

Shockwave is often a good option when other treatment has not helped enough, and it is combined with exercise and load management advice from your naprapath or physiotherapist.

Shockwave therapy can help with conditions such as

• Heel spur (plantar fasciitis)
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Runner's knee and jumper's knee
• Calcific shoulder and pain in the shoulder tendons
• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow

Benefits of shockwave therapy

• Can help with long-standing problems where other treatment has not worked
• Stimulates the body's own healing
• Short treatment time
• Evidence-based for several tendon and muscle attachment conditions

How it works

• We carry out a thorough examination to understand the cause of your symptoms and decide whether shockwave suits you.
• The shockwave is given with an applicator against the skin and takes 5–10 minutes. It can feel uncomfortable, but we always keep it at a level you can manage.
• Usually 3–5 treatments are needed, about a week apart. It is normal to feel a little sore for a couple of days afterwards.

Shockwave is not given during pregnancy, active cancer or bleeding disorders, for example. Contact us if you want to know more or are unsure which treatment to choose.