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Shockwave Therapy
Advanced treatment for persistent foot and lower-limb pain
When pain becomes persistent, simply resting the area or repeatedly treating the symptoms may not be enough.
At The Foot Care Group, we use radial shockwave therapy as part of a clinically led approach to managing selected tendon, soft-tissue and musculoskeletal conditions. Treatment is designed around your individual diagnosis, symptoms and functional goals, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
A targeted approach to persistent pain
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers controlled acoustic waves into the affected tissues.
The mechanical energy produced by the treatment is thought to stimulate a biological response within the tissues, supporting local circulation and the body’s natural repair processes. It may also help to modulate pain and improve tissue function.
Shockwave therapy can be particularly useful where symptoms have persisted despite more conventional treatment approaches.
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Conditions We Commonly Assess for Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy may be considered as part of the management of:
- Plantar heel pain and plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendon pain and tendinopathy
- Selected tendon-related conditions
- Persistent soft-tissue pain
- Chronic or longstanding musculoskeletal conditions affecting the foot and lower limb
Importantly, shockwave therapy is not suitable for every condition or every patient. A thorough clinical assessment is therefore an essential part of the process.
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Your Treatment Begins With an Accurate Diagnosis
We believe effective treatment starts with understanding why you are experiencing pain, rather than simply treating where it hurts.
During your initial assessment, your podiatrist will discuss your symptoms, medical history and activity levels before carrying out a detailed clinical examination.
We will explain our findings and discuss the available treatment options with you. Where appropriate, shockwave therapy may form part of a wider treatment programme.
This may include rehabilitation exercises, load management, footwear advice, taping, offloading or orthotic therapy, depending on your individual needs.
What does shockwave treatment involve?
Shockwave therapy is performed using a handheld applicator placed against the skin over the affected area.
Controlled acoustic waves are delivered into the tissues at a carefully selected intensity and frequency. Treatment is relatively quick and does not involve injections, medication or surgery.
Some patients experience a degree of discomfort during treatment. This is expected and the treatment parameters can be adjusted according to your tolerance and clinical requirements.
There is generally no significant downtime, although we will advise you on activity levels following treatment based on your individual condition.
How many treatments will I need?
Shockwave therapy is generally delivered as a course of treatments, rather than as a single treatment.
The number and frequency of sessions will depend on your diagnosis, the duration and severity of your symptoms and your response to treatment.
Shockwave therapy is intended to stimulate a biological response, so improvement is not necessarily immediate. Symptoms may continue to improve over the weeks following treatment as the tissues respond.
Your progress will be monitored throughout your treatment programme and your management plan adjusted where necessary.
Do you offer same day or emergency appointment?
We try to keep appointments open for emergencies which are subject to availability.
Is shockwave therapy suitable for you?
The most important question is not simply whether shockwave therapy is available, but whether it is appropriate for your particular condition.
Following assessment, we will advise you honestly whether we believe shockwave therapy is likely to be beneficial. If another treatment approach would be more appropriate, we will explain this and discuss your options with you.
Specialist assessment. Targeted treatment. Individual care.
If you are experiencing persistent foot or lower-limb pain and have not achieved the improvement you were hoping for, a clinical assessment can help establish the underlying cause and determine whether shockwave therapy is an appropriate option for you.