Prices and locations

Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet

Procedure	Price
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)	£82

See all prices Select location See all locations

Shepton Mallet

Procedure	Price
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)	£82

See all prices Select location See all locations

What is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that utilises acoustic waves to promote healing and relieve pain in musculoskeletal conditions. It involves the application of high-energy shockwaves to affected areas of the body, stimulating cellular repair and regeneration. It is usually delivered by our physiotherapy team in an outpatient setting.

A course of ESWT normally requires one treatment session a week for three consecutive weeks. This number may be increased or decreased depending on the response to the treatment. Treatment should not be more than two weeks apart. A follow-up appointment in clinic is arranged for approximately two months after the date of the final shockwave session to monitor the response.

How does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy work?

The aim of the treatment is to trigger an inflammation (or healing) response in the tissue being treated. The body then responds by increasing the blood circulation and metabolism in the impact area which, in turn, accelerates the body’s own healing processes. It is also thought that the shockwaves can break down calcifications (calcium deposits). The shockwaves overstimulate the nerves which can reduce sensitivity and pain.

Who could benefit from Extracorporeal Shock Therapy?

ESWT may be offered to patients with the following musculoskeletal conditions that have not responded to conservative treatments:

• Tendinitis: such as Achilles’ tendinitis, shoulder tendinitis, and tennis elbow.
• Plantar fasciitis: a common cause of heel or foot sole pain usually at its worst in the mornings.
• Calcific shoulder tendinitis: to help dissolve calcium deposits in the shoulder.
• Patellar tendinopathy: often known as jumper’s knee, pain in the tendon below the kneecap.
• Myofascial pain syndrome: to relieve muscle pain and trigger points.
• Stress fractures: to promote healing in chronic stress fractures.
• Greater trochanter bursitis/pain: inflammation or irritation of soft tissues/tendons at the top of bony prominence on the side of the hip.

What are the risks and benefits of Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy?

ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis, which means there’s no hospital stay needed. It is non-invasive, which means there is no cutting of tissues or skin, and is delivered from outside the body. This means the procedure doesn’t carry a lot of the risks associated with surgeries. It is applied without medication, and the reported side effects are minimal. From available evidence to-date in some studies ESWT has been shown to be an effective treatment.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has deemed this procedure to be safe. We monitor every patient before and after treatment to discover how successful the outcome is. Potential side effects include:

• increased pain
• bruising
• redness and swelling
• numbness
• tingling and skin irritation.

The majority of these should resolve within a couple of days but in rare cases, they can persist over a longer period of time. There is a small risk of tendon rupture or plantar fascia rupture and damage to the surrounding soft tissue.

Can I get referred for Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is not available for NHS patients. Patients can access the treatment the following ways:

• GP referral
• Physiotherapist, chiropractor, or osteopath referral
• Self-referral.

The treatment will be explained to you as below to ensure that you understand the benefits and risks.

Preparing for Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

You will be referred for a course of treatment which will likely last several weeks.

Two weeks before the procedure

Please avoid taking any anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Aspirin or Ibuprofen) for at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure. You should also try to avoid smoking or excessive alcohol consumption to achieve the best possible treatment results.

During the procedure

• Preparation: the area to be treated is identified, and you may be asked to sit or lie down comfortably.
• Gel application: a gel is applied to the skin over the treatment area to facilitate the transmission of shockwaves.
• Shockwave treatment: a handheld device generates shockwaves that are directed at the affected area. You will hear a fast-clicking sound and a vibrating sensation. Don’t worry, this should not be painful. The procedure typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes.
• Post-treatment: you can usually resume your normal activities immediately after the session, although some people experience mild discomfort temporarily.

A course of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy usually lasts between four and six treatments.

What happens after the procedure?

You should be able to continue everyday activities following the Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. However, please avoid doing anything you wouldn’t normally do. Avoid strenuous, pain-provoking activity such as high impact exercise or activities that put stress on the affected area for 48 hours following the therapy.

You may experience a reduced level of pain or no pain at all immediately following the therapy. However, for some patients, pain may occur a few hours later. This usually lasts for a couple of days, but in rare cases can last longer.