What is shockwave?

Shockwave is a clinically proven, non-invasive treatment for stubborn conditions which have not responded to standard manual therapy. Before you consider injections or surgery speak to us about how shockwave could help you. Its quick, easy, and affordable. High energy soundwaves are applied to area of pain/injury and provoke a healing response, provide pain relief, and promote cell regeneration.

Shockwave History

Shockwave was initially used to break down kidney stones in the 1970’s. Since then, people began to realise the potential benefits in treating the likes of bone, cartilage, muscle, ligament, fascia etc.

What does Shockwave do?

It effectively takes the affected tissue from a chronic state to an acute one. In doing so, this provides a stimulant or trigger to a ‘stalled’ repair sequence. It basically kick starts the body to heal itself.

What does it help?

Shockwave in combination with an individually designed exercise program have been proven to help the following conditions:

  • Chronic Tendinopathies
  • Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder
  • Tennis elbow
  • Greater trochanter pain syndrome
  • Patellar tendinopathy
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Plantar fasciitis, with or without heel spur
  • Delayed bone healing
  • Bone Non-Union (pseudarthroses)
  • Stress fracture
  • Avascular bone necrosis (without articular derangement)
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans (without articular derangement)
  • Golfers elbow
  • Bone marrow oedema
  • Osgood Schlatter disease: Apophysitis of the anterior tibial tubercle
  • Tibial stress syndrome (shin splint)
  • Myofascial Syndrome/trigger points
  • Muscle sprain without discontinuity (rupture)
  • Cellulite
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Dupuytren disease
  • De Quervain disease
  • Trigger finger
  • Spasticity
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Lower back pain

What happens during a shockwave treatment session?

A gel is applied to your skin, the applicator head is placed on the skin to delivery shockwaves to the target tissues. The radial pressure waves and focused shockwaves will be applied at a low intensity initially then increased to a level which is tolerable to you.  You will not be allowed to take anti-inflammatory medication during this process; inflammation is needed to allow the body to heal and medication can interfere with this process.

How many sessions will I need?

Research suggests a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 sessions. This will be dependent on your condition and level of chronicity. Ideally the sessions should be 5-10 days apart. A personalised exercise program will be provided and should be followed during and for 12 weeks after the shockwave therapy to ensure the best results.

Why should I come to you for treatment?

At Finely Tuned Physiotherapy we are one of the only clinics in the UK to have BOTH radial AND focused shockwave devices, emerging evidence supports a combination of both types to deliver faster, better outcomes. The radial device treats the superficial/larger structures whilst the focused shockwave addresses deeper structures with more pinpoint accuracy. At Finely Tuned, we use the best available technology – Swiss engineered Storz devices, used by the majority of experts, major NHS hospitals and elite sporting clubs across the world. Many devices are now coming to market that have not been supported by research, externally validated, or been CE marked for safety and effectiveness.

What results can I expect?

Results vary depending on the condition ranging from 60%-90% success rate. Some people notice a big improvement after just one session, this can be temporary. The shockwave is kick starting the body’s healing process so generally you will see an improvement following the third session and this can continue to improve as the body repairs over the following 12 weeks. The benefit over other options (such as injections) is that long term (1 year +) the response is better, injections tend to only provide a short-term fix.