Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is offered to patients who have had their pain for several months and are not improving with other treatments such as stretches, strengthening exercises, orthotics and activity modification.

Shockwave therapy is designed for stubborn tendon issues that are not improving. Tendons compared to muscles, for example, have a relatively poor blood supply so it is not unusual for them to take several months, even years, for them to improve. Shockwave can speed up this healing process and get patients back on track.

Shockwave is a minimally invasive treatment that is carried out on an outpatient basis in one of our specialist clinics.

Your shockwave treatment will be carried out by one of our highly specialised physiotherapists. They have received specialist training in shockwave therapy and have extensive experience in treating stubborn, chronic tendon complaints.

This depends on what condition is being treated but at Complete Physio, we believe that shockwave therapy compliments physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

Shockwave therapy works most effectively as part of a complete treatment and rehabilitation programme. Any biomechanical issues (such as posture, alignment, gait, running style, muscle length and strength issues) which have led to a problem should still be addressed for the best, long-term results. An exercise programme to complement the effects of shockwave will be prescribed by your treating clinician.

A number of studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating tendon problems that have failed other forms of conservative management. Shockwave is now increasingly being used earlier in treatment to facilitate and speed up recovery.

We advise that anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen, are stopped 48 hours before you commence shockwave treatment and are not used during the entire shockwave treatment period.

The number of treatments you require will vary depending on your diagnosis and the duration of your symptoms.

Shockwave treatment has a cumulative effect on the injured tissue. The research shows that patients should have a minimum of three treatment sessions over a period of three weeks. It is not unusual that more than three sessions are required but this is decided on a needs basis depending on your response to treatment.

Shockwave treatment lasts approximately 5-10 minutes. During each session approximately 2500-3000 shocks will be administered to the injured tissue.

During your shockwave session your physiotherapist will adjust the machine intensity to ensure the injured tissue receives the required energy/dosage. As part of your shockwave session your physiotherapist will also prescribe the correct rehabilitation exercises for your condition to ensure an optimal recovery.

At Complete we believe the combination of shockwave therapy and rehabilitation exercise is key in the management of most upper limb and lower limb tendon complaints.

Shockwave therapy is designed to create a new healing process in the tissue and so has to deliver a certain amount of energy to the injured area. Essentially, this causes micro-trauma to the tissue and so the treatment is likely to cause some discomfort or pain at the injury site.

The level of discomfort depends on the type of injury, site of the injury and how painful or tender the area is before commencing the treatment. Since the treatment only lasts about five minutes, most patients can tolerate the treatment well.

Your clinician is in control of the intensity of the treatment and will communicate with you throughout your treatment and adjust the intensity accordingly.

After the shockwave session you will be able to move the body part normally. Many of our patients feel a significant reduction in pain following a shockwave treatment. However, normally within 2-4 hours after the session they experience some temporary soreness and tenderness in the area. This rarely lasts more than 24 hours and is a normal reaction to shockwave therapy. In most patients, this will not limit normal daily activities.

From our own experience and the studies on shockwave therapy, most patients will feel a significant clinical benefit in their pain 6 to 8 weeks after treatment. The studies show that this improvement in pain continues for months and even years after your final shockwave session has finished (Moya, et al 2018).

For some people we have seen benefit much sooner than this, but the response does vary.

We have three designated shockwave clinics; one on Fulham Road (Chelsea), one in the City of London on Bury Street (next to the Gherkin) and our clinic in Angel.

Shockwave is a non-invasive, safe treatment modality with very few side effects. Your physiotherapist will discuss these with you before carrying out the procedure.

1/ Rare side effects:

• Redness, bruising and tenderness in the treated area
• Temporary damage to the skin
• Temporary increase in pain in the treated area

2/ Very rare side effects:

• Tendon tear or rupture

(Dedes et al, 2018).

Yes, shockwave therapy is very safe. However, it is essential that you attend a specialist, dedicated clinic where the clinicians have extensive experience of using shockwave therapy in the management of tendon pain.

At Complete our clinicians are some of the most experienced in London in the diagnosis and management of tendon complaints.

Can you exercise after shockwave therapy?

It is recommended that you refrain from any activity that stresses the treated area for 24 hours after a shockwave session, even if you have no pain after treatment. For example, if you have received shockwave for your Achilles tendon pain, we strongly recommended that you do not run for 24 hours after each treatment.

We will also advise that you do not carry out your rehabilitation/physiotherapy exercises for 24 hours following your shockwave treatment. You will be able to walk and drive immediately after the treatment.

Any other specific questions will be answered by your physiotherapist.

Following a shockwave treatment your physiotherapist will advise that you do not take any anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, as it will potentially lessen the treatment effect. Shockwave stimulates a new healing response i.e. it is a pro-inflammatory treatment and so we do not want to inhibit this process. If you feel any discomfort following treatment, we advise that you avoid activities that aggravate the pain and you can take paracetamol.

Yes. Over the past few years with the growing clinical evidence for the effectiveness of shockwave therapy, all the major health insurance companies will pay for you to have at least three shockwave sessions at one of our dedicated sites.