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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.

Start with an initial assessment

To ensure the best outcomes, all patients will need a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment first. During this session, your clinician will determine whether Shockwave Therapy is suitable for your condition and create a tailored treatment plan for you.

How long is a session?

  • Standard treatment session: 30 minutes
  • Actual shockwave treatment: around 9 minutes
  • Frequency: typically once per week for Focused, and twice per week for Radial

Unlocking faster recovery

In many cases, clinicians may even combine Shockwave Therapy with physiotherapy to achieve the best possible outcome. For more information on how Shockwave Therapy can help you and the two types of Shockwave Therapy we offer, read more here.

Find your nearest location and book now

You can book an initial physio assessment at one of our clinics and your clinician will determine whether Shockwave Therapy is suitable for your condition.

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How can you be referred?

You can book an initial physio assessment at one of our clinics and your clinician will determine whether Shockwave Therapy is suitable for your condition.

Find your nearest clinic
A healthcare professional, wearing blue gloves, applies a handheld device to a patient's leg, possibly for therapeutic treatment, in a medical setting with equipment visible in the background.

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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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