Shockwave
Book a Physiotherapy session and discuss with the therapist to request shockwave therapy.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy in physiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment available at our London clinics in Moorgate and Marylebone, using sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. It’s particularly useful for treating chronic musculoskeletal conditions that haven’t responded to other forms of treatment.
High-energy sound waves are directed into the affected area to promote blood flow, cell regeneration, and collagen production, while also helping to break down calcified tissue or scar tissue.
It’s usually delivered in short sessions (5–10 minutes), and a course of 3–6 treatments is typical. It can feel uncomfortable but is generally well-tolerated.
Common Conditions Treated:
•Plantar fasciitis
•Achilles tendinopathy
•Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
•Tennis or golfer’s elbow
•Shoulder tendinopathy (e.g. calcific)
•Chronic hamstring issues
Potential Benefits:
•Reducing pain
•Improve function
•Speed up recovery (especially when used alongside a rehab programme.)
View other physiotherapy techniques
What Does a Shockwave Therapy Session Entail?
Shockwave Therapy in London, Delivered by Expert Physiotherapists
A shockwave therapy session begins with a thorough assessment by one of our physiotherapists at our Moorgate or Marylebone clinics to understand your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. The targeted area is then identified and treated using a specialised shockwave device that delivers controlled acoustic waves to stimulate blood flow, accelerate tissue repair, and reduce pain. Each session is tailored to your condition and comfort level, typically lasting around 5–10 minutes, and may be combined with additional physiotherapy techniques or rehabilitation exercises to optimise your recovery and long-term results.
What Does the Research Say?
Condition |
Type of Shockwave Therapy (if specified) |
Protocol Details/Comparisons Mentioned |
Reported Effectiveness |
Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frozen Shoulder |
Extracorporeal (ESWT) |
New option, mechanism may involve increased blood flow, collagen flexibility, reduced inflammation. |
Showed potential benefits for pain relief and functional improvement. Currently available data shows satisfactory improvement from multiple aspects. |
Zhang et al. (2020) – Frozen Shoulder Network Meta-analysis |
Groin Injuries in Athlete |
Shock wave therapy |
Used in football players. |
Effective in reducing pain and returning athletes to sports within 3 months. Football players experienced earlier pain relief and returned to football significantly earlier compared to those without this therapy. |
Fernandes et al. (2025) – Groin Injury Systematic Review |
Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis |
Focused (F-SWT), Radial (R-SWT) |
High-energy SWT may lead to greater total resorption of calcifications compared to low-energy SWT. One study using radial SWT reported high resorption rate with specific parameters not detailed in the excerpt. |
Overall reduction in calcium deposit size. Favoured over placebo but less effective than ultrasound-guided needling. High-energy may be superior to low-energy for total resorption. One review suggested it could be an alternative to surgery. |
Al-Abbad et al. (2020) – Shockwave Therapy Meta-analysis |
Plantar Fasciitis |
Radial, Focused |
Greater reduction in plantar fascia thickness with radiological guidance. |
Overall reduction in plantar fascia thickness. More effective than placebo. Less effective than low-level laser therapy and therapeutic ultrasound in one comparison. |
Al-Abbad et al. (2020) – Shockwave Therapy Meta-analysis |
Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head |
Focused (F-SWT) |
Dosage parameters did not appear to have a significant influence on imaging outcomes. |
Modest reduction in the size of the lesion with marginal statistical significance. Generally favoured over other interventions like core decompression. |
Al-Abbad et al. (2020) – Shockwave Therapy Meta-analysis |
Tendinopathies (General) |
Shockwave therapy |
Moderate effectiveness compared to sham treatments and other modalities. |
Demonstrated moderate effectiveness for tendinopathies regardless of type or location. |
Rosen et al. (2020) –Tendinopathy Treatment Umbrella Review |
Achilles Tendinopathy |
Extracorporeal (ESWT) |
Presented as an alternative to eccentric exercises. |
Can decrease pain similarly to eccentric exercises. |
Rosen et al. (2020) –Tendinopathy Treatment Umbrella Review |
Lateral Epicondylitis |
Shockwave therapy |
Compared to corticosteroid injection with at least 12-week follow-up. |
Relieved pain and improved function, with better improvements in pain and grip strength in the shockwave group compared to corticosteroid injections. |
Rosen et al. (2020) –Tendinopathy Treatment Umbrella Review |