For tendon pain that refuses to settle
Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). A non-invasive treatment with strong clinical evidence for chronic tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and stubborn calcific deposits.
30 minutes
Overview
What shockwave therapy is and how it helps
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves delivered through a handheld device to target injured tissue and accelerate the body's own healing response. By improving circulation and stimulating cellular repair, it can speed recovery from chronic and acute injuries, encourage healthy new tissue formation, and reduce pain by limiting the production of pain-causing chemicals at the treatment site.
Each session takes around thirty minutes. The device is applied to the painful area through a coupling gel; you will feel a rapid tapping sensation that can be uncomfortable in the first few seconds and usually settles as treatment progresses. Energy, frequency, and impulse count are adjusted to your tolerance and the tissue being treated.
Shockwave is most often used where standard rehabilitation alone has plateaued — particularly for chronic tendinopathies and calcific deposits. Some patients notice improvement after a single session; most need a course of four to six sessions, typically a week apart, with results continuing to develop for several weeks after the course finishes.
It is consistently paired with a structured rehabilitation programme. Shockwave alone rarely fixes the underlying problem; shockwave plus loaded exercise is what changes the trajectory of a stubborn tendinopathy.
Typical Course
Typically a course of 4–6 sessions, one per week. Some patients notice improvement after a single session.
Conditions Treated
Shockwave Therapy is used for a wide range of conditions
Not sure if shockwave therapy is right for you? Book an initial assessment and Connor will give you an honest answer — including referring you on if something else would be a better fit.
Shoulder
- Rotator cuff tendon pain
- Frozen shoulder and shoulder stiffness
Elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
Hand & Wrist
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Repetitive strain injury
Hip & Pelvis
- Arthritis
- ITB syndrome or tendon pain
- Bursitis
- Hamstring strain or sport injury
- Sacro-iliac joint dysfunction
Knee
- Knee cap (patella) pain
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries
Foot & Ankle
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles pain
- Shin splints
- Running injuries
Back
- Low back pain
- Stiffness from the mid back (thoracic spine)
- Trigger points
Other
- Sporting injuries
- Inflammatory arthritis pain
- Treatment following a fracture
- Scar management — surgical, C-section, burn, keloid
What to expect
Inside the appointment
- Full diagnostic assessment to confirm shockwave is the right call
- Individual settings (energy bar, frequency Hz, impulse count) recorded each session
- Clear advice on activity modification between sessions
- A loaded exercise programme to run alongside the course
Why patients choose it
Key benefits
- Strong clinical evidence for chronic tendinopathy
- Non-invasive alternative to surgery or injections
- Stimulates natural healing processes
- Typically effective in 4–6 sessions
- Long-lasting results that develop for weeks afterwards
From a patient
What people say
“Connor has been an exceptional physiotherapist, and my experience with him has been nothing short of transformative. Over the course of six shockwave therapy sessions, he has provided invaluable insight into my condition, rheumatoid arthritis, and has educated me on the intricacies of my hand joints. Thanks to his expertise and tailored approach, I've experienced significant reductions in pain and inflammation, along with improved mobility. His deep knowledge, coupled with his compassionate and caring nature, has truly made a real difference in my life. I wholeheartedly recommend Connor to anyone seeking effective treatment and a dedicated professional who genuinely cares about their well-being.”
Violette F.
Shockwave Therapy · January 2025
Other services
Treatments that often work alongside shockwave therapy
Take the first step towards feeling better.
Direct access to expert physiotherapy. No GP referral needed. Most major insurers accepted, and same-week appointments are often available.
- 01EnquireA quick form, or call
- 02ConfirmReply within one working day
- 03Assess60-minute initial session