Therapies
Shockwave Therapy
"Restarting the body's natural repair process."
Chronic pain often persists because the body has simply stopped trying to heal. The brain decides the tissue is “done,” but the structure is still weak or sensitive.
Shockwave Therapy is a clinically proven, non-invasive treatment designed to kickstart that stalled healing process. It uses high-intensity acoustic sound waves—not electricity—to target stubborn, chronic injuries that haven’t responded to rest or standard physio.
How It Works
- Pro-Inflammatory Response (The “Wake Up” Call) Chronic tendons often have poor blood supply. The acoustic waves cause “cavitation”—microscopic bubbles that vibrate and expand between the tissues. This creates a controlled, acute inflammatory response. It essentially tricks the body into thinking the injury is fresh, triggering a rush of new blood flow and repair cells to the area.
- Pain Desensitisation (The “Volume Down” Switch) Chronic pain creates a hypersensitive nervous system. The acoustic pulses help to down-regulate the nerve endings in the affected tissue, reducing their ability to transmit pain signals (a process known as Substance P reduction). This lowers the pain volume, allowing you to move and load the tissue again.
- Collagen Remodelling To heal a tendon, you need collagen. Shockwave stimulates the production of collagen fibres, helping to thicken and strengthen the internal structure of the tendon or ligament.
Shockwave is the “Gold Standard” intervention for tendon pathologies (Tendinopathies). It is particularly effective for:
- Plantar Fasciitis(Heel Pain)
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
- Gluteal Tendinopathy(Lateral Hip Pain)
- Calcific Tendonitis of the Shoulder
- Patellar Tendonitis(Jumper’s Knee)
Shockwave is cumulative. It is a process, not a pill.
- Dosage:Evidence suggests optimal results are achieved with a course of 3 to 6 sessions, usually spaced 7–10 days apart.
- Integration:Shockwave creates the window of opportunity; rehabilitation opens the door. It is most effective when “dovetailed” with a specific loading programme prescribed by your Physiotherapist. We don’t just zap it; we strengthen it.
Yes. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) has an excellent safety profile with very few historical complications.
- Sensation:It can be uncomfortable. It is a high-energy treatment, and you will feel the pulses. However, your clinician will tailor the intensity to ensure it is manageable for you.
- Contraindications:We cannot use Shockwave if you have a blood clotting disorder, are taking blood thinners, have a pacemaker, are pregnant, or have an active infection/cancer at the treatment site. We also avoid direct application over lung tissue or major nerve bundles.
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