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Shockwave Therapy

goPhysio is delighted to be able to offer one of the most effective solutions to resolving stubborn, long standing musculoskeletal injuries, to the clinic. Hampshire Shockwave Therapy provides a unique combination of our injury assessment and treatment skills, with the latest shockwave treatment technology, to help you recover from your stubborn injury. It is a genuine alternative to corticosteroid injections and even surgery. 

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy (SWT) has been shown to be beneficial in treating a wide range of soft tissue injuries, which have been resistant to more traditional forms of treatment. These include injuries such as Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathies, Calcific Tendonitis of the shoulder, Tennis and Golfer's Elbow. 

The shockwave machine, produces ‘energy waves’ which are targeted to the injured tissues, bringing about it’s beneficial effects. It is a mechanical wave, not an electric one. The mechanical waves kicks off inflammation in the area. In turn, the body responds by increasing blood flow to that area which accelerates the body’s own natural healing process. The shock waves can also break down injured tissue and calcifications.

Shockwave Therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing process in ‘delayed, slow to heal’ conditions, kick starting the healing process, getting you better quicker.

Who is Shockwave Therapy for?

SWT is a well known treatment for injuries to the soft tissues, muscles and tendons. It is particularly effective in the treatment of longer term injuries, that have failed to respond to other treatments, and is a viable alternative to cortisone steroid injections and surgery.

According to The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE), there are specific conditions that may respond best to SWT. NICE’s remit is to make recommendation on various treatments that have been evidenced and backed by substantial research. For SWT, we have six conditions with such guidelines in place.

If you have been suffering with any of these conditions for some time and if they’ve failed to improve with other treatments, then read on, as SWT could certainly help you.

1. Plantar Fasciitis
2. Achilles Tendinopathies
3. Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
4. Shoulder Tendinopathies
5. Tennis Elbow
6. Golfer’s Elbow 

What are the benefits of having Shockwave Therapy?

For the best outcomes with SWT treatment, it is important that your injury or condition is correctly diagnosed. Following this, the most effective, suitable and individualised treatment plan for you should be started, ensuring you receive the right treatment at the right time, to speed your recovery. 

Shockwave Therapy can be a realistic alternative to steroid injections or surgery. 

There are many benefits to having Shockwave Therapy, including:

• It’’s non-invasive (not like surgery)
• No anaesthetic is required
• No medication is required
• It’s a safer alternative to steroid injections or surgery
• It’s a quick treatment, just 30 minute appointments per session.
• On average 3-6 sessions are normally required.
• There are fewer complications than injections or surgery
• You can be virtually painless after treatment 

What does Shockwave Therapy involve?

At goPhysio, we follow a strict protocol and guidelines to assess the suitability of SWT for your injury. If SWT will help you, treatment will start on your first session with us. 

Each session will be tailored to your individual needs and goals, but as a guide your first session will be 45 minutes including a full injury assessment, diagnosis and your first SWT treatment.

What will happen during a SWT treatment? 

• The SWT machine has a hand held device, which delivers kinetic energy. This is converted into a mechanical shock wave delivered to the target tissue through the skin. Some gel may be used on your skin.
• During the treatment, we will deliver a set number of shock wave energy pulses to your injured area.
• You may find the initial few minutes a little sore, until your body starts to release endorphins (your body’s natural pain killer) and then you should experience a dull, soothing, numbing effect in the painful area.
• The overall treatment will last between 15 - 20 minutes, during which we’ll also give you injury advice and exercises to further help your recovery.
• It is recommended that you have one SWT session a week.  A total of 3-4 sessions is normally needed for mild cases, 6 or more may be needed for longer term, more severe injuries.
• Feedback from other patients who’ve had SWT is that the treatment feels very specific to the problem area i.e. “it’s right on it”, “it’s getting right to it”, “I can feel it doing it’s job”.
• Following the SWT treatment session, there can be an ongoing sensation of healing between treatments. This is perfectly normal. 

How do I book Shockwave?

We offer shockwave therapy as an integral part of our treatment at goPhysio. So, if you've got an injury that you think would benefit from Shockwave, book an appointment so that your injury can be assessed and we can start your treatment. 

How much does Shockwave Treatment Cost? 

Shockwave treatment is included in your appointment costs. If you have private medical insurance, such as Bupa, we have individual arrangments with insurance companies, so plesae contact us directly to discuss booking shockwave therapy.