Service
Shockwave Therapy
Evidence-based support for stubborn tendon and soft-tissue problems (e.g. plantar fasciitis, Achilles, tennis elbow). Often combined with a graded loading plan.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a technology to treat chronic, painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system through the use of sound waves.
What makes this treatment unique is that it seems to work best when an injury reaches the chronic, non-healing state. ESWT manages to do this by restarting the healing process in chronic injuries, returning the tissues into the acute phase of healing. A bit like turning your electronic device off and turning it back on again, it resets the body's healing systems.
British Medical Bulletin (2015)
"Efficacy and safety of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) for orthopaedic conditions: a systematic review on studies listed in the PEDro database – ESWT is an effective and safe non-invasive treatment option for tendon and other pathologies of the MSK system."
How does it work?
The shockwave works by exerting a mechanical pressure onto the damaged tissue and in particular the cell membrane. By making the cell membrane more permeable there is an increase in blood supply and metabolism. Both of these reactions provide the basis of healing.
What does it treat?
- Achilles insertional tendinopathy
- Achilles mid-portion tendinopathy
- Calcific deposits in the rotator cuff
- Calf extensibility
- Carpal tunnel
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- ITB syndrome
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Myofascial trigger points
- Medial tibial stress syndrome
- Patella tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
- Osgood-Schlatter's
Suitability
The therapy may also heal other types of pain that you may not have known the source of. The therapy stimulates the natural healing process, which can be an answer to chronic pains in your body. For instance, shockwave therapy does not only help in healing of bone in the case of stress fractures but can also help to heal soft tissue – tendon, muscle, ligament, fascia and connective tissue in the body.
Easier diagnosis
Unlike surgery, the patient can actively participate during the treatment, pinpointing areas that are painful to notify the physician.
Common questions
Shockwave Therapy: your questions answered
What is shockwave therapy?+
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) uses sound waves to treat chronic, painful conditions of the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is thought to work by restarting the healing process in injuries that have stopped healing.
What does shockwave therapy treat?+
We use it for conditions including Achilles tendinopathy, calcific deposits in the rotator cuff, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), greater trochanteric pain syndrome, ITB syndrome and myofascial trigger points. See the service page for the full list.
How much does shockwave therapy cost in Northampton?+
Shockwave sessions start from £65, and a combined physiotherapy and shockwave session of 40 minutes is £100.
Is shockwave therapy painful?+
You may feel brief discomfort during treatment. Most clients tolerate it well and each treatment is over quickly.
Learn more
The shockwave patient guide
A five-chapter, plain-English guide to ESWT, plus pages on the specific conditions we treat.
Chapter 1: Understanding pain, tendons and healing
The foundation of successful shockwave therapy – why tendon pain persists and how tendons heal.
Chapter 2: What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)? A complete patient guide
What shockwave therapy is, how radial and focused systems differ, what it feels like and whether it is safe.
Chapter 3: How does shockwave therapy work? Understanding the science behind ESWT
The biology behind ESWT – tissue remodelling, cell responses, blood vessel formation, growth factors and pain modulation.
Chapter 4: What does the scientific evidence say about shockwave therapy?
An honest look at the research behind ESWT – where evidence is stronger, where it is still developing, and why results vary.
Chapter 5: Which conditions can shockwave therapy help?
A complete guide to the conditions commonly treated with ESWT, how strong the evidence is for each, and why diagnosis matters.
Calcific treatment with ESWT
ESWT for calcific rotator cuff deposits – how it works, how many sessions are needed and how it compares to injections and lavage.
Healing Achilles insertional tendinopathy: the role of shockwave therapy
How ESWT can help insertional Achilles tendinopathy, what to expect from treatment and who it suits.
ESWT for Achilles mid-portion tendinopathy
Shockwave therapy for chronic Achilles tendon pain – symptoms, how ESWT helps and what treatment involves.
ESWT for calf extensibility
How shockwave therapy can help calf tightness, reduced ankle mobility and related lower-limb overuse injuries.