What is focused shockwave therapy?
Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers short, controlled pulses of sound energy through the skin to a specific treatment area. “Extracorporeal” means the shockwaves are generated outside the body.
Radial shockwave therapy delivers its strongest pressure near the skin’s surface and spreads energy over a broader area. Focused shockwave therapy concentrates energy within a small target area, allowing treatment of specific tissues at different depths.
Your physiotherapist identifies the treatment area through clinical assessment. Existing scans may also be reviewed, or further investigations recommended where appropriate.
Treatment settings are adjusted to the condition, the location and depth of the tissue being treated, and your comfort.
How can focused shockwave therapy support your recovery?
Targeting a specific treatment area
Some persistent tendon and soft-tissue problems involve a small, clearly defined area, such as where a tendon attaches to bone.
Focused shockwave therapy directs sound energy towards the area identified during assessment, including tissues located deeper beneath the skin.
Helping reduce persistent pain
Focused shockwave therapy may help reduce pain and improve function in selected tendon and heel conditions. The benefits vary depending on the condition and your individual response.
Improved comfort can make walking, exercise and everyday activities more manageable. We monitor both your symptoms and your ability to move and gradually increase activity.
Supporting a return to exercise and activity
For tendon-related problems, reducing pain is only one part of recovery. Tendons also need gradually progressed exercise to help them cope with the demands of everyday activity, work or sport.
Focused shockwave therapy may be used alongside strengthening exercises, movement rehabilitation and advice on adjusting activity and allowing recovery. Together, these aim to support a gradual return to the activities that matter to you.
What conditions can focused shockwave therapy be used for?
Following a physiotherapy assessment, focused shockwave therapy may be considered as part of rehabilitation for selected persistent conditions, including:
- Plantar heel pain/plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Evidence and expected benefits vary between conditions. Focused shockwave therapy is not suitable for every painful tendon or soft-tissue problem.
Your physiotherapist will consider your diagnosis, how long symptoms have been present, previous treatment and medical history before discussing whether focused shockwave therapy could have a useful role in your rehabilitation.
What does focused shockwave treatment feel like?
A gel is applied to help transmit the shockwaves through your skin, and the applicator is positioned over the treatment area.
During treatment, you will feel a series of rapid pulses. These may feel like tapping, pressure or a deeper aching sensation, depending on the area and its sensitivity.
Treatment can be uncomfortable. Your physiotherapist checks how you are feeling and adjusts the settings as appropriate. Let them know if the discomfort becomes difficult to tolerate.
Temporary soreness, tenderness, redness or bruising can occur after treatment. Your physiotherapist will explain what to expect and advise you on exercise, everyday activity and recovery between sessions.
Focused shockwave therapy at PhysioB
At PhysioB, we offer focused shockwave therapy as a standalone treatment or alongside other physiotherapy treatments, depending on your needs.
We begin by assessing your symptoms, movement, everyday function, medical history and previous treatment to determine whether it is appropriate for you.
Your plan may combine focused shockwave therapy with progressive exercise, mobility work and hands-on treatment. Other treatments, such as INDIBA, may be considered where appropriate. Each treatment is selected for a specific purpose.
For example, someone with persistent plantar heel pain may receive focused shockwave therapy alongside calf and foot strengthening and advice on adjusting walking or training. For a patellar tendon problem, rehabilitation may focus on rebuilding strength and gradually increasing the tendon’s ability to cope with running, jumping or other sporting activities.
We monitor changes in pain, movement and your ability to manage activity, adjusting your programme as you progress. Improvement can be gradual, and we review whether treatment is helping rather than assuming that further sessions are needed.
Is focused shockwave therapy suitable for everyone?
Focused shockwave therapy is not suitable for every patient. Before treatment, your physiotherapist will review your medical history and medications to identify any reasons to avoid or adapt treatment.
Please tell your physiotherapist if you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication, have an implanted electronic device, or have recently received a steroid injection in the treatment area. An infection, wound or tumour in the area also needs to be considered before treatment.
Depending on the circumstances, treatment may need to be postponed, avoided or discussed with your medical team. Your physiotherapist will explain the relevant precautions and whether focused shockwave therapy is appropriate for you.
How many focused shockwave sessions will I need?
The number and spacing of sessions depend on your condition, how long symptoms have been present and your response to treatment.
Your physiotherapist will discuss a proposed course with you and review your progress throughout. Further sessions are considered according to whether treatment is helping and how your rehabilitation is progressing.
Book an assessment at PhysioB
If persistent tendon or heel pain is limiting your walking, work, exercise or everyday activities, book a physiotherapy assessment at PhysioB in Ealing, London.
We will assess your symptoms, discuss your goals and determine whether focused shockwave therapy could help as part of a treatment plan tailored to you.
