Shock Wave Therapy
What Is Radial Shockwave Therapy?
Radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) is a gentle, non-surgical treatment used to relieve pain and help your body heal from muscle, tendon, or joint problems. It uses low-energy sound waves—delivered through the skin—to stimulate blood flow and activate your body’s natural healing process.
How Does It Help?
Radial shockwave therapy can help by:
✅ Boosting Healing
The shockwaves increase blood flow and stimulate the growth of new cells, helping your body repair itself more effectively.
✅ Reducing Pain
The treatment desensitizes nerves and relaxes tight muscles, providing fast pain relief.
✅ Massaging Effect
The shockwaves help reduce tight muscles (like when getting a massage) without causing the irritation massage can sometimes cause when the muscles are very sore and tender.
✅ Breaking Up Scar Tissue
It can soften and break down hardened tissue or calcium deposits that may be limiting movement or causing discomfort.
What Conditions Can It Treat?
Radial shockwave therapy is commonly used to treat:
Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
Achilles tendinopathy/tendinitis
Tennis and golfer's elbow
Shoulder tendon issues (including calcium build-up)
Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinitis)
Chronic muscle tightness or trigger points
Any muscle or ligament strain or tear
What to Expect During Treatment
A handheld device will be applied to the area of pain.
You may feel some discomfort—like quick tapping—but it’s usually well tolerated.
Sessions last about 5–10 minutes.
You might need 3–6 treatments, usually once per week.
Some mild soreness afterward is normal and usually fades quickly.
The Benefits
Non-invasive: no surgery or injections
Drug-free pain relief
Quick sessions with minimal recovery time
Proven to help chronic conditions that haven’t responded to other treatments
Safe to use on any part of the body provided it's not being applied over an active malignancy or a foetus (for example it is safe to use shockwave on a pregnant patient's foot)
Contraindications
Non-invasive: no surgery or injections
Drug-free pain relief
Quick sessions with minimal recovery time
Proven to help chronic conditions that haven’t responded to other treatments
Is It Right for You?
Radial shockwave therapy is safe and effective for many people with long-term muscle or tendon pain. Your physiotherapist will assess your condition to determine if it’s a good option for you.