Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

An extracorporeal shockwave is defined as a non-evasive, non-electrical high energy sound wave that passes through the body via a hand-held probe. The shock waves produce a rapid increase in blood circulation to the target area and will break down fibrous scar tissue which builds up over time, especially with chronic conditions.

The break-down of scar tissue is the key to why shock wave therapy is so effective. Unlike normal elasticated tissue, scar tissue is non-elastic and will prevent normal movement and function, thereby weakening the unaffected tissue surrounding it, often causing further damage and pain. By increasing circulation and breaking-down scar tissue, shock wave therapy will stimulate cell regeneration and promote normal healing and rapid reduction of pain. Normal function can then be restored.

Shock-wave therapy treatments are usually performed at weekly intervals. Each treatment session takes about 20 minutes and you may need between 3 treatment sessions (possibly 5 for resistant problems).

After shockwave therapy

Many patients experience an improvement in symptoms almost immediately while others take several weeks to respond.

What does Shock Wave Therapy treat?

Shock wave therapy can be effective on a wide range of soft tissue and bony conditions. Here are some examples of conditions where shock wave has effectively treated and restored normal function:

• Sports injuries
• Low back pain
• Degenerative disorders
• Knee pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shoulder pain, e.g. calcific lesions of the rotator cuff and bony spurs
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer‘s elbow)
• Jumper‘s knee (Patellar tendonitis)
• Shin pain (Tibial stress syndrome)
• Achilles tendonitis
• Hip pain
• Heel pain, heel spurs
• Chronic neck dysfunction

What is the cost?

The treatment is delivered with a minimum of three sessions.  The cost is £250 for three sessions, increasing to £300 if an initial physiotherapy assessment is required.