Boost the healing process
Shockwave Therapy is an established and effective treatment for soft tissue injuries, recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
It is clinically proven and covered by most private health insurers. Shockwave is recognised by the top orthopaedic hospitals and professional sports bodies. Treatment with shockwave involves passing short, intense sound waves into affected tissues. This generates a response from the tissues which aids the healing process. It has been shown to provide fast pain relief and increased mobility, and is used widely in the field of orthopaedics, physiotherapy and sports medicine. The energy promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons and other soft tissues, via a non-surgical treatment.
Conditions commonly treated with ESWT
• Plantar fasciopathy (fasciitis)
• Achilles Tendinopathy (tendinitis)
• Patellar tendinopathy (tendinitis)
• Hamstring tendinopathy
• Trochanteric bursitis (gluteal tendinopathy/greater trochanteric pain syndrome)
• Calcific rotator cuff tendinitis
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
What are the risks and possible side effects?
You may experience some pain or discomfort during the treatment, but it should not be an intolerable level. ESWT side effects are rare, however you may experience mild discomfort, reddening of the skin or bruising in the area for a short time following the treatment.
In addition, this treatment might not work for you and your symptoms might remain the same. There is a very small risk it might make your pain worse, rupture your tendon, or cause soft tissue damage. However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have deemed this procedure to be safe.
What to expect during treatment?
A course of 3 treatments is recommended over one month, usually at weekly intervals to allow the tissue reaction to subside before the next treatment is delivered.
2500 shocks are delivered during the session taking between 5-10 minutes. Gel is applied to the area before the ESWT is carried out.
On starting the treatment, you will hear a series of shocks and it will feel like someone is tapping firmly on the site being treated. If this becomes too uncomfortable, you should notify your treating therapist as the intensity of treatment can be reduced or the treatment head repositioned.
Download the our ESWT infosheet
Why should I have ESWT and what does it involve?
ESWT may be offered to patients who have had a painful tendon for many months that hasn’t responded to other treatments or physiotherapy.
The treatment should help reduce your pain so you can return to your normal activities and carry out exercises and rehabilitation more easily.
We offer three sessions of ESWT, within one month, but usually at weekly intervals. Each session takes 5-10 minutes. The painful area is located through palpation (touch) and gel is applied to a hand-held device to transmit of the shockwaves to the injured area.
Shockwave uses a series of high energy pneumatic (compressed air) shockwaves delivered to the problem area via a hand piece.
What does it do and how does it work?
Passing shockwave through the surface of the skin initiates an inflammatory response to the injured tissue. This then prompts the body to respond naturally by increasing blood circulation and therefore metabolism in the injured tissue. This speeds up the body’s natural healing response by increasing cell regeneration enhancing tissue repair.
The benefit of shockwave eliminates the need for surgery or injections.
Considerations after ESWT treatment
Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen should not be used 24 hours after receiving the treatment as they may decrease the effectiveness of the treatment.
You may continue with your usual activities including work and driving. However, we advise avoiding strenuous pain provoking- exercise for 48 hours after ESWT. You can discuss this with your therapist who will advise you on modifying your activity level.
You may feel pain relief from the treatment straight away, but the long-term results are normally felt after 3 months. How you feel straight away and between treatment sessions is not a predictor to how you will feel at 3 months.
You will receive an out-patient appointment and a follow up questionnaire 12 weeks after your final ESWT treatment to assess the effectiveness of your ESWT treatment.
Pricing
We also accept AXA, Bupa, WPA and Aviva. Please contact us to confirm cover and any authorisation requirements.
3 Session package
£270 (£90 Per session)
"My 12 year old was unable to walk for 6 weeks due to balance problems. We spent one hour with Pauline and she works out what it is and how to cure it. "
Barbara Steadman
"The professional way in which Jane and her team have handled each injury has allowed me to return to my sport quickly but without risk of further injury and in most cases return stronger and fitter"
Michael Wilde New Saints FC