31. July 2024

is shockwave therapy painful? all you should know

The term "shockwave therapy" may sound a bit intimidating, but if it’s suggested to you as a treatment option, there really isn’t anything to worry about.

Shockwave therapy (technically known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy or ESWT) is an innovative treatment rapidly growing in popularity due to its effectiveness in treating various injuries.

Here's what makes it such an effective treatment:

It stimulates the body's natural healing processes, encouraging faster recovery.
It provides an alternative to more invasive procedures like surgery.
It can provide pain relief for stubborn injuries.

In this article, we'll explore shockwave therapy in more detail, covering what it is, the available types, and answers to all your frequently asked questions.

What is shockwave therapy?

ESWT is a relatively new technology in the field of physiotherapy, but it’s been used in urology since the 1980’s as an effective and non-invasive way to break up kidney stones.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that works by delivering low-energy acoustic pulses (shockwaves) directly to injured or painful areas.

This stimulates your body's natural healing abilities, often leading to reduced pain, increased blood flow, and improved tissue regeneration.

There are two main types of shockwave therapy - focused shockwave therapy and radial shockwave therapy.

Both have their applications in physiotherapy, which we’re going to explore in a bit more detail.

Focused shockwave therapy

Focused shockwave therapy delivers high-energy shockwaves to a specific, targeted area of injury - often those that are deep beneath the skin’s surface.

To deliver focused shockwave therapy, your physiotherapist will first locate the exact point of pain and then use a hand-held device to focus the shockwaves on that location.

This precision allows for deeper penetration for deep tissue injuries and chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis, delayed bone healing, and chronic tendinopathies.

Focused shockwave therapy stimulates healing in a number of ways.

Firstly, it creates what is known as a ‘microtrauma,’ which is intentional tiny tears in the injured tissue, triggering the body's healing response.

It also increases blood flow to the area of injury, which helps speed up tissue repair and provides temporary pain reduction due to the overstimulation of nerves.

Radial shockwave therapy

Radial shockwave therapy differs from focal therapy in that it distributes lower-energy shockwaves over a wider surface area.

This approach is ideal for treating pain and injuries closer to the skin's surface and is useful for treating conditions like Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, shin splints, and general muscle tightness

Like focal therapy, radial shockwave therapy also stimulates the body's healing process and can help reduce pain. However, it's less precise than focal shockwave therapy and is generally less effective for injuries located deeper within tissues.

What does shockwave therapy do?

From a physiotherapy perspective, shockwave therapy's major benefit is its powerful effects on improving your body's natural healing process.

The microtraumas created by the shockwaves essentially trick your body into thinking a new injury has occurred, which triggers your natural healing response.

Shockwave therapy also widens blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the injured area to deliver the crucial oxygen and nutrients needed for speedy recovery.

As an additional benefit, shockwave therapy can provide immediate pain relief by desensitising nerves in the affected area and can help loosen up tight or overworked muscles for improved flexibility.

All of these combined benefits make shockwave therapy particularly helpful for musculoskeletal problems that don't always respond to physiotherapy treatments alone.

Conditions managed with shockwave therapy

Shockwave therapy is a very versatile treatment option that can work alongside physiotherapy to help manage a variety of musculoskeletal issues.

If you're struggling with a persistent injury, it's definitely worth discussing your options with your GP or physiotherapist.

After an assessment of your condition, they will be able to determine if shockwave therapy might be the right course of treatment for you.

Some of the most common conditions treated include:

Chronic tendon problems including conditions like tennis elbow, achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis.
Pain around the hip joint such as greater trochanteric pain syndrome and proximal hamstring tendinopathy.
Conditions that cause knee pain, such as patellar tendinopathy, also known as jumper's knee.
Bone-related issues like slow-healing stress fractures and shin splints.

Is shockwave therapy painful?

Despite the dramatic sounding name, shockwave therapy is generally painless, with most patients only reporting a slight discomfort and aching sensation rather than any actual pain during the therapy session.

A typical shockwave physiotherapy session lasts between 15- 20 minutes. For additional peace of mind, your physiotherapist will have the ability to adjust the intensity of the shockwaves based on your individual comfort level.

If you have any concerns about shockwave therapy, bring them up to your physiotherapist, who can address your queries and help put your mind at ease

What are the risks and complications of shockwave therapy?

While shockwave therapy is generally considered a safe treatment for most people, it's important to be aware that, like with any treatment, there's always a small risk of side effects.

It's common for patients to experience some mild tenderness in the treated area after their shockwave physiotherapy session, but this typically fades within a few days.

In rare cases, patients might experience complications such as post-treatment pain, swelling, bruising, redness, temporary numbness, or increased sensitivity in the treated area.

It's important to remember that the risk of experiencing severe complications is very low, particularly when you receive shockwave therapy from a chartered, licensed physiotherapist.

Contraindications of shockwave therapy

It’s important to understand that there are certain situations where shockwave therapy might not be the best choice of treatment.

This is why it’s crucial to be open and transparent about your full medical history with your physiotherapist when discussing treatment options so they can determine if shockwave therapy is the right solution for you.

Situations where your physiotherapist might advise against shockwave therapy include if you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker or other implanted medical devices, or if you’re currently taking blood thinning medication or certain types of antibiotics.

Shockwave therapy is also usually avoided in patients suffering from cancer, thrombosis, or epilepsy - or if there is an infection around the area being treated.

Your physiotherapist will carefully consider your individual situation and medical history to make sure shockwave therapy is a safe and appropriate treatment option for you.

What is the cost of shockwave therapy?

For certain conditions, shockwave therapy is available on referral from the NHS. However, this is typically reserved for chronic conditions where symptoms have persisted for 3-6 months or more and haven’t responded to other forms of treatment.

If you choose to self-refer, the cost of shockwave therapy treatment can vary based on factors like the complexity of your condition, the type of shockwave therapy used, and the specific clinic you visit.

At CK Physiotherapy, we believe in being transparent about our pricing, and you can find detailed pricing information for all types of bookings on our website.

However, for the most accurate estimate, contacting our clinic directly is the best course of action.

Curious about shockwave therapy? Get in touch with CK Physio

If you're struggling with a stubborn injury, shockwave therapy might be the solution you've been looking for.

Shockwave therapy can be a versatile treatment suitable for a wide range of conditions, including tendon problems, joint pain, and bone-related issues.

However, before you make a decision, it's crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss your suitability for the treatment with a GP or qualified physiotherapist.

At CK Physiotherapy, we understand the frustrations of chronic pain and are here to help.

Our team of experienced physiotherapists in London can assess your condition and determine if shockwave therapy could form part of your personalised treatment plan.

Ready to take the next step on your path to recovery? Learn more about shockwave therapy on our website or contact our friendly team to book your initial consultation.