Tendon Clinic - Shockwave Therapy

We are now offering Extracorpeal Shockwave Therapy as an adjunct to the pain relief and rehabilitation of painful tendon conditions.

shockwave therapy for feet

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwaves are high-energy, audible soundwaves which are transmitted to the affected area to accelerate healing by increasing blood flow, putting cells into repair mode.  Shockwave has an analgesic effect and stimulates repair and regeneration. Shockwaves break down injured tissue and calcifications. It can treat conditions in the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, achilles tendons, forearms, shins and feet.

Is shockwave therapy safe?

Yes. It has NICE guidance for a large number of indications. Shockwave therapy performed by qualified therapists is largely risk-free.

Is shockwave therapy painful?

With radial shockwave you may feel discomfort to begin with. However the treatment is delivered with a low amount of energy at first which is increased as you get used to it. The treatment stimulates and effectively supports the body’s self-healing mechanisms and creates an analgesic effect. Many patients report immediate pain relief following shockwave therapy. If you experience pain after treatment you may use ordinary non-prescription painkillers.

How many sessions are needed and how successful is it?

On average 3-6 sessions are required. You will need a full assessment to determine the quantity. Treatments last between 10-15 minutes.

Success of shockwave therapy depends on the condition. Statistics show over 90 percent of patients experience a reduction in their pain. The overall success rates range between 60-80% depending on the condition.

What are the advantages of shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is recommended for patients who have already had previous conservative therapies that have provided little or no clinical benefit. Recent evidence has shown that Shockwave therapy can also be used for acute soft tissue disorders as well as chronic conditions, where you have tried other conventional therapies or not.

– No anaesthesia
– Non-invasive
– Fewer complications
– Significant clinical benefit often seen 6-8 weeks after treatment
– Fast treatment times

How much does it cost?

We recommend an initial one hour assessment to clinically diagnose the areas to be strengthened or lengthened, the factors contributing to the problem and a timed action plans to how to achieve the goal.  

£165 for a package of 3 sessions.
£55 per session thereafter

The Shockwave therapy is not a stand alone cure for all tendon pain. It is important for the patient to have had an in depth Physiotherapy assessment as well as treatment and advice on:-

  • How to stop aggravating the tendon pain 
  • Understanding what causes the pain and how to reduce it. 
  • How to strengthen the muscle/tendon complex appropriately. 
  • How to pace back to their sport/ activity with a carefully graded programme. 
  • How to do appropriate plyometric exercises to support the rebound/reflex activities of more athletic sports. 
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