What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive physiotherapy technique that uses high-intensity energy waves to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic pain, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. The sound waves stimulate the body's natural healing processes, reducing pain and promoting tissue repair.
A shock wave is an intense, short energy wave that moves faster than the speed of sound.
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They are typically characterised by:
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High positive pressures of more than 100 MPa
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Extremely short rise times (about 10 microseconds)
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Fast pressure rises (less than 10 nanoseconds)
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Narrow effective beams (2-8mm diameter)
When a pressure wave passes through the human tissue, it produces physiological and therapeutic effects.
4-stage therapy
It is believed that four phases are involved in producing these therapeutic effects:
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Phase one is the direct effect of the shock. Mechanical pressure directly affects the cells in the tissues being targeted for treatment.
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Phase two is the physical-chemical phase which influences the metabolism in the cell, increasing their activity to promote healing.
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Phase three is the chemical phase which may be accompanied by molecular changes and intracellular reactions.
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The last phase, phase four, involves physiological responses to the first three phases.
Why Choose SMARTPHYSIO?
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Whenever you need us, our expert staff are here to listen to you and ensure you get the perfect physiotherapy care.
How does Shockwave Therapy work?
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Faster and long-term healing.
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Regeneration of the tissue.
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Reverse chronic inflammation that is very common in conditions such as plantar fasciitis.
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Stimulate collagen production, which is a vital substance in natural tissue repair.
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Dissolution of calcium fibroblasts is often part of the problem in chronic shoulder pain
What could Shockwave Therapy be used to treat?
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Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
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Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
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Myofascial trigger points
Can Everyone Be Treated With Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy isn't suitable for everyone. If you have a condition on the following list, you are not allowed to have this treatment:
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Haemophilia/Clotting disorder/Risk of haemorrhage
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Taking anti-coagulant medication, e.g. Warfarin or Rivaroxaban
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Cardiac pacemakers or other cardiac devices
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Unstable heart condition
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Steroid injection to the treatment site in the last 6 weeks
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Pregnant/trying to conceive
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Cancer/tumour at the site of treatment
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Infection at the site of treatment
Our London Shockwave Therapy Clinics
We also provide visiting physiotherapy to your home, care home or office
What to expect
Sometimes the treatment is a bit painful, but most people can normally tolerate this. If you cannot tolerate it, please let your practitioner know, as the dose can be amended to ensure you are comfortable. It is also normal to feel a little tender on the area that has been treated during your session.
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​Our team will advise you on how to keep this at a minimum and what activities to avoid directly after your treatment.