Shockwave Therapy
A non-invasive treatment to help manage persistent pain and support recovery
Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment used by physiotherapists to help people with a range of persistent muscle, tendon and joint problems. It uses controlled acoustic waves to deliver energy to a targeted area of the body, helping to stimulate the body's natural healing and repair processes.
At BPC Health Partnership, Shockwave Therapy can be used alongside your physiotherapy treatment, exercise programme and other rehabilitation techniques where our clinician feels it may be appropriate for you.
Shockwave Therapy is available as an optional addition to your physiotherapy session for an additional £25 per session.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Despite its name, Shockwave Therapy does not involve electricity or an actual "shock". It uses a specialised handheld device to deliver acoustic pressure waves into the affected area.
These waves pass through the skin and into the underlying tissues. The treatment is thought to influence the local biological processes involved in pain, tissue repair and recovery.
Rather than simply treating the symptoms of a problem, Shockwave Therapy is generally used as part of a wider rehabilitation programme designed to improve how the affected area functions over time.
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Your physiotherapist uses a handheld device to deliver controlled acoustic waves to the area being treated. These waves provide a mechanical stimulus to the tissues, which may help support the body's natural healing processes and reduce sensitivity in some painful areas.
Shockwave Therapy is not a quick fix. It is most effective when used alongside appropriate physiotherapy, exercise and rehabilitation.
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Your physiotherapist will first assess your condition and make sure Shockwave Therapy is appropriate for you.
If it is suitable, a small amount of gel is applied to your skin before the handheld applicator is placed over the affected area. The device then delivers a series of controlled pulses to the tissues.
The treatment is usually relatively quick and can be incorporated into your normal physiotherapy appointment.
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You may feel some discomfort during the treatment, particularly when treating a sensitive area. Most people describe the sensation as a series of tapping or pulses against the skin.
Your physiotherapist will adjust the intensity according to your comfort and the condition being treated. The aim is to provide an effective treatment without making it unnecessarily uncomfortable.
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This depends on your condition, how long you have had your symptoms and how you respond to treatment.
Shockwave Therapy is usually provided as a course of several sessions rather than as a one-off treatment. Your physiotherapist will recommend an appropriate treatment plan following your assessment.
It is important to remember that Shockwave Therapy forms part of your wider rehabilitation. You may also be given exercises, advice and activity modifications to help address the underlying problem.