Shock Wave Therapy: What It Is and How It Works

Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment for persistent tendon, muscle, and joint difficulties. The technology originated in operating rooms over two decades ago for non-surgical kidney stone fragmentation, and has since been developed for outpatient musculoskeletal treatment.

How It Works

The therapy works by breaking down fibrous (scar) tissue and calcific deposits within damaged tendons and muscles, while simultaneously stimulating the body to regenerate healthier, more flexible tissue. The acoustic waves create controlled microtrauma that triggers the body's healing cascade, bringing in stem cells and growth factors to rebuild the damaged area.

Conditions It Treats

Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for conditions where conventional physiotherapy has been unsuccessful:

• Achilles tendinosis: calf tendon pain and stiffness
• Plantar fasciitis: heel and foot sole pain
• Patella tendinitis: knee tendon pain, particularly in athletes
• Golfer's and tennis elbow: forearm tendon pain from repetitive movements. Pain is often felt on either side of the elbow when gripping or moving the wrist, caused by repetitive arm and wrist movements such as tennis or golf, but the condition can also develop in office workers who simply type a lot on a keyboard.
• Trigger points: chronic muscle knots associated with fibromyalgia and tension headaches. Trigger points are commonly unresponsive to many forms of manual therapy, such as non-clinical massage, which can often make the problem worse.
• Back pain: medical trials have demonstrated effectiveness comparable to injections for facet joint pain
• Shoulder impingement: tendon compression during overhead movements, including calcification cases. This often leads to thickening of the supraspinatus tendon, causing even more impingement, scarring, and calcification.

Radial vs Focused Shockwave

At Spine Plus we offer both radial shockwave (for superficial tendon and soft tissue conditions) and focused shockwave (for deeper structures, including joints and for men's health conditions). Focused shockwave penetrates to 6 to 8 centimetres, significantly exceeding the reach of radial devices.

Call us on 020 8506 1000 to discuss whether shockwave therapy is right for your condition.

Get Shock Wave Therapy in London

Spine Plus offers shock wave therapy at our Chigwell, Woodford, and Bow clinics, as part of our specialist treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, alongside therapies such as IDD Therapy. Visit our contact page to find your nearest clinic and book an appointment.