Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment for injured soft tissues, specifically tendon and plantar fascia. It is used when an injury reaches a chronic non-healing state alongside other physiotherapy treatments. It is a safe alternative to steroid injections or surgery. 

How does it work?

Shockwave therapy targets injured tissues with calibrated high-energy soundwaves which create tiny cavitation bubbles in the tissue, these then burst and stimulate metabolic activity at the site of pain. This stimulates and accelerates your body's natural healing processes and helps block pain transmission. Shockwave also breaks down scar tissue in chronic injuries.

Is it clinically proven?

Shockwave is widely used in hospitals and by professional sports teams to treat injuries and musculoskeletal pain. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also recommend its use, recognising the growing body of evidence demonstrating improved patient outcomes compared to other treatments.

What conditions can it treat?
  • Plantar Fasciitis (pain on the sole of your heel)
  • Achilles Tendonitis 
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Lateral Hip Pain, also known as Trochanteric Bursitis, Gluteal Tendonitis and Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
  • Shoulder Pain, Calcific Tendonitis or Tendinopathy of the Rotator Cuff
  • Tennis and Golfers Elbow
  • Hamstring Tendinopathies 
  • ITB syndrome
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease 

A full clinical assessment at the clinic is required to identify if Shockwave Therapy is an appropriate treatment for you, even if you have previously been assessed elsewhere. This assessment will also identify other rehabilitation strategies that can be used alongside Shockwave such as strengthening or stretching exercises to get you better as quickly as possible.

You must not have Shockwave Therapy if you:

  • ​are pregnant
  • have a partial tendon tear
  • have had a cortisone injection in the last 12 weeks
  • are under the age of 18 (except for Osgood-Schlatters Disease)
  • have a blood-clotting disorder  (including thrombosis)
  • are taking oral anticoagulants (excluding aspirin 75mg)
  • have an infected wound in the treatment area
  • have been diagnosed with bone cancer or are being treated for active cancer

How many sessions will I need?

Typically 3 -5 sessions of shockwave treatment are required at weekly or 2 weekly intervals.

How much does it cost?

Shockwave Therapy Treatment: £65.00

​We are registered with private health insurers. A pre-authorisation code and membership number is required prior to an appointment. Please contact your private health insurer before commencing treatment to confirm your status of cover. If you're unable to bring an authorisation code we will ask you to pay directly to us and then reclaim with the provided receipt. 

David Cook

BSc (Hons) PG Dip (Manip Ther) MCSP, MMACP, MAACP, MNZSP

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David is a Chartered Physiotherapist based in Bude, Cornwall.

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