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What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a non-invasive treatment to reduce pain and encourage healing in specific tendon problems.  A handheld device is used to pass acoustic waves at a set frequency, through the skin to the affected area requiring treatment (National Institute for Care Excellence, NICE Guidelines 2018).

How does it work?

Shockwave Therapy (SWT) helps to accelerate the body’s own healing response, by initiating a pro-inflammatory response in the tendon tissue. The NICE Guidelines support the use of SWT as an intervention for pain relief for a variety of refractory, chronic tendon pathologies.

Who can be treated?

Shockwave Therapy has been shown to improve patients who have been diagnosed with common and persistent conditions such as:

  • Achilles Tendinopathy
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Greater Trochanteric Pain in the Hip
  • Patella Tendinopathy

Patients are advised to still continue with their physiotherapy rehabilitation exercises.

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We have a highly trained and experienced team of physiotherapists that are HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) and CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) registered, guaranteeing you are in safe hands.

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How can you be referred?

If you are diagnosed with a refractory or persistent tendon pathology, your physiotherapist will ask you to complete a consent form to check that you are appropriate for a referral.

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FAQs

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What should I expect to happen at my physiotherapy assessment?

The physiotherapist will take a detailed history and then do an examination using a number of recognised tests to try to establish the nature of your problem. They will then begin treatment with you or advise you on the best course of action. This will often include a series of exercises or other self-management advice to help you recover. It is important that you follow this advice because our experience tells us that the patients who follow their plans generally respond better to treatment.  Read more about our Consent to Treatment policies below.

Do I need to pay for the Private Physiotherapy service?

If you are coming to us through an insurance company you will need to provide the following policy details at the time of booking:

      • Policy number / membership number
      • Authorisation code
      • What your policy excess is

We will deal with the insurance company directly on your behalf.

For any other patients then yes, your appointment will incur a fee, which will be taken at the time of booking. For details of our charges please contact our team on 0208 778 9050.

How do I pay for my physiotherapy appointment?

We can only accept card payments. Payment will be taken at the time of booking to confirm your appointment.

If you are coming to us through an insurance company you will need to provide the following policy details at the time of booking:

  • Policy number / membership number
  • Authorisation code
  • What your policy excess is

We will deal with the insurance company directly on your behalf.

For any other patients then yes, your appointment will incur a fee, which will be taken at the time of booking. For details of our charges please contact our team on 0208 778 9050.

Payment is required at the time of booking. A limited number of our clinics do not have on site payment facilities. So our team will follow up with you in advance of your appointment to take payment.

What do I do if I need immediate physiotherapy advice or treatment?

We are a Primary Care Musculoskeletal Outpatients Service and are therefore not equipped to deal with emergency/ urgent medical care.

If you are experiencing significant Musculoskeletal pain, please contact your GP to discuss options for pain relief. Our Physiotherapists cannot provide prescriptions for medication.

If you need urgent medical help, use the regular NHS 111 online service.

The 111 online service asks questions about your symptoms to help you get the help you need.

Call 111 if you need urgent help for a child under 5 or cannot get help online.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance.

What if I need to cancel my physiotherapy appointment?

Please call 020 8778 9050 as soon as you know you will be unable to attend an appointment so it may be offered to other patients. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. Should you wish to cancel over the weekend or out of hours, please leave a message on our answer machine or contact us here.

Cancellations without the required notice may incur a cancellation fee.

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If you are struggling with a physical condition or injury that is affecting daily life, we offer a range of guidance to help reduce your symptoms, prevent further injury and improve your physical function to get you back to your best.

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