What is radial shockwave therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy uses an applicator placed against the skin to deliver rapid pulses of pressure into the treatment area.
Although commonly called shockwave therapy, the device produces radial pressure waves. These are strongest close to the applicator and become weaker as they spread through the tissues.
Unlike focused shockwave therapy, which concentrates energy within a small target area, radial pressure waves spread over a broader area and mainly affect tissues closer to the skin.
Your physiotherapist selects the applicator and adjusts the strength and speed of the pulses to suit your condition, the treatment area and your comfort.
How can radial shockwave therapy support your recovery?
Helping manage persistent pain
Radial shockwave therapy may help reduce pain and improve function in selected tendon and soft-tissue conditions. Benefits vary depending on the condition and your individual response.
For some patients, improvement may mean walking more comfortably, spending longer on their feet, gripping with less discomfort or finding rehabilitation exercises easier to manage.
Treating a broader area
Pain around a tendon may be accompanied by tenderness or muscle tension in nearby tissues. Radial pressure waves spread over a broader area, and the applicator can be moved across selected tissues during treatment. Your physiotherapist uses the assessment findings to decide which areas to treat.
Supporting exercise and a return to activity
Radial shockwave therapy is used alongside rehabilitation exercises to help you gradually rebuild your ability to manage everyday activity, work or sport.
For an Achilles tendon problem, this may include calf strengthening that becomes more challenging as you progress. For tendon-related elbow pain, it may involve strengthening exercises and changes to repetitive gripping or work activities.
Your programme is adjusted as your symptoms, strength and ability to manage activity improve.
When might radial shockwave therapy be considered?
Radial shockwave therapy may be considered for selected persistent tendon and soft-tissue problems, particularly when symptoms have continued despite changes to activity and an initial rehabilitation programme.
Examples include persistent plantar heel pain, Achilles tendon pain and tennis elbow. Suitability and expected benefits vary between conditions.
Your physiotherapist considers your diagnosis, the location of the affected tissue, previous treatment and how your symptoms respond to movement and exercise. The depth of the tissue and the area requiring treatment also help guide the choice.
Some conditions may be treated with either radial or focused shockwave therapy. Where both are appropriate, we select the approach that best fits your clinical needs and treatment goals.
What does radial shockwave treatment feel like?
A gel is applied to the treatment area and the applicator is placed against the skin.
During treatment, you will hear a repetitive tapping sound and feel a series of rapid mechanical pulses. The sensation can range from firm pressure or tapping to a more uncomfortable feeling over sensitive areas.
Your physiotherapist adjusts the settings to suit the treatment area and your response. Let them know if the discomfort becomes difficult to tolerate.
Temporary soreness, tenderness, redness or mild bruising can occur during or after treatment. Your physiotherapist will explain what to expect and provide guidance on exercise and activity following the session.
Radial shockwave therapy at PhysioB
At PhysioB, we offer radial shockwave therapy as a standalone treatment or alongside other physiotherapy treatments, depending on your needs.
Treatment begins with an assessment of your symptoms, movement, function, medical history and previous treatment. We also consider factors that may be contributing to the problem, such as changes in training load, repetitive work, reduced strength or difficulty tolerating certain movements.
Radial shockwave therapy may then be combined with progressive exercise, mobility work, manual therapy and, where clinically appropriate, technologies such as INDIBA. Each element is selected for a specific clinical purpose rather than applying the same treatment combination to every patient.
We review your response throughout treatment, including changes in pain, function and tolerance to activity, and adjust the rehabilitation programme as you progress.
Is radial shockwave therapy suitable for everyone?
Radial 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. You should also mention any infection, wound or tumour in the area.
Depending on your circumstances and the device used, treatment may need to be postponed, avoided or discussed with your medical team. Your physiotherapist will explain the relevant precautions and assess whether radial shockwave therapy is appropriate for you.
How many radial 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 radial shockwave therapy could help as part of a treatment plan tailored to you.
