Focused Shockwave Therapy in London
Services
Focused Shockwave Therapy is an evidence-based, non-invasive treatment for complex conditions.
What is Focused Shockwave Therapy and how does it work?
Our state-of-the-art Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) is offered to a broader range of patients than ESWT can treat, as it is less painful and can be used on more complex conditions. The technology allows the waves to penetrate deeper to more targeted tissue areas, so quicker results can be achieved.
It is an evidence-based, non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy soundwaves generated electromagnetically through a cylindrical coil, creating opposing magnetic fields when the current is applied. It is delivered very specifically to the affected area, which stimulates the body’s natural healing response and promotes tissue regeneration. The treatment is safe and relatively painless, with no major known side effects.
What conditions does Focused Shockwave treat?
MSK Conditions:
- Tendons/Tendinopathies – (including but not limited to): patella, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, plantar fasciitis, GTPS, hamstring, de Quervain’s, tibialis posterior any many more, tibialis anterior, rotator cuff.
- Bones – (including but not limited to): stress fractures, shin splints (MTTS), lumbar spinal facet joint, sacroiliac joint, symphysis pubis joint, osteoarthritis (where the pain is located in one spot you can point to), calcification.
- Nerve pain – Morton’s neuroma, carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pelvic Health Conditions:
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS), Prostatitis, Vulvodynia.
- Erectile Dysfunction, hard flaccid syndrome, post-prostatectomy (nerve sparing only), any man who would like to enhanced his erection.
- Breasts – mastitis, engorgement, blocked milk ducts.
- Pudendal neuralgia.
Courses of Treatment:
These vary, with the recommended number of treatments shown here:
MSK conditions
- Tendon/Tendinopathies – 3 sessions
- Bone conditions – 5 sessions, potentially 3 more may be required)
- Nerve pain – 3 sessions
Pelvic health conditions:
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS, Prostatitis, Vulvodynia) – 5 sessions
- Erectile Dysfunction or Hard Flaccid 6-12 sessions (this can also be completed to enhance erections without dysfunction)
- Mastitis – 3 sessions
Improvements are usually noticeable around 4-6 weeks after the first treatment, with the full benefits being noticed 3-6 months after completion of the full course.
Benefits of Focused Shockwave Therapy:
- Pain Reduction:Â Shockwaves disrupt the transmission of pain signals along nerve fibres by overstimulating sensory nerve endings. This interferes with the transmission of pain signals to the brain, reducing the perception of pain in the treated area.
- Release of Endorphins: Endorphins then bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, inhibiting the transmission of pain signals and producing analgesic effects.
- Reduction of inflammation: Shockwave therapy helps to reduce inflammation by disrupting the inflammatory process and promoting the removal of inflammatory mediators from the affected tissues. This reduction in inflammation contributes to a decrease in pain intensity.
- Improvement of Blood Circulation: The formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and opening up existing ones (vasodilation) is stimulated by the shockwaves. This improved blood flow increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues and promotes healing and pain.
- Tissue Regeneration: Shockwave therapy promotes tissue regeneration and repair. It stimulates the production of growth factors, which can accelerate the healing process in the pelvic region.
Risks and Potential Side Effects:
There are no known major long-term side effects of this treatment, documented in the scientific literature. While Focused Shockwave Therapy is generally considered safe, it is important to understand the potential risks and side effects associated with the treatment, which may include:
- Temporary redness, bruising, or swelling of the treated area
- Minor discomfort or pain during and after the procedure
- Rare cases of skin injury or blistering
- No guarantee of complete resolution of CPPS symptoms
Compared to some other treatments, Focused Shockwave Therapy typically has minimal side effects. Patients may experience temporary discomfort or mild soreness at the treatment site, but these effects are generally short-lived.
If you would like more details then please call our team on 020 7371 7666 or e-mail.
Please scroll down for FAQs and Pricing
Praise for Shockwave Therapy
This service is available at the following clinics:
Six Physio Parsons GreenFind Your Physio
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does each Focused Shockwave session last?
The initial assessment is 1 hour, follow up sessions are 30 minutes for Musculoskeletal conditions and 1 hour for Pelvic Health.
Does Focused Shockwave Therapy hurt?
Most patients tolerate the treatment well, and any discomfort experienced during the session is usually temporary. Practitioners take measures to ensure your comfort, such as adjusting the intensity and providing breaks if needed.
Why is Focused Shockwave less painful than radial Shockwave?
Focused Shockwave is less painful than using the radial shockwave as it delivers shockwaves that converge to a specific point deep within the tissue. This targeted approach allows for the shockwaves to reach deeper structures without affecting the superficial tissues significantly.
The energy from FSWT is concentrated and can be precisely controlled to target the area of pathology. This precise delivery minimises the impact on surrounding healthy tissues, reducing pain.
You may have some mild pain or discomfort, this will go away within 48 hours.
Why does Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) treat more conditions than Radial Shockwave?
FSWT can penetrate deeper into the tissues (up to 12cm) compared to radial shockwave (3-4cm), the energy levels are more controlled, combined with a strong clinical evidence base, makes it suitable for treating a wider range of medical conditions compared to radial shockwave such as deep tendinopathies in the hamstring, hips and shoulders, joint and bone conditions such as stress fractures, osteoarthritis and shin splints.
We also can use it to help in our Specialist Pelvic Health service for Chronic Pelvic Pain, mastitis and erectile dysfunction.
What MSK conditions does Focused Shockwave treat?
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- Tendinopathies
- Insertional Tendinopathies
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Tennis Elbow
Conditions treated specific to Focused shockwave:
- Deep-Seated Tendons such as hamstring tendinopathy, GTPS (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (shin splints)
- Bones – Stress Injuries, Stress Fractures – Non-unions
- Degenerative Pathologies – Osteoarthritis
- Nerve pain such as Morton’s neuroma and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Promotes bone regeneration and helps accelerate the healing process
- Spinal Facet Joint Pain
What Pelvic Health conditions can Focused Shockwave treat?
- CPPS – significantly reducing pain and improving function for individuals with CPPS.
- Erectile Dysfunction – Focused Shockwave treats by improving blood flow and promoting new blood vessel growth, restoring natural erectile function.
- Mastitis and blocked ducts – it reduces inflammation and unblocks ducts, providing relief and improving breastfeeding outcomes.
Will my insurance pay for Focused Shockwave Therapy?
It is possible to have MSK conditions treated under Insurance, but not Pelvic Health conditions.
For the former, please check with your Insurance company beforehand.
We are able to bill AXA and BUPA direct, authorisation codes will be needed specifically for Shockwave, not as part of your Physio treatment.
For all other Insurance companies please enquire before booking.
How much does Focused Shockwave Therapy cost?
All Conditions have a different number of recommended sessions. Package prices are all discounted by 10%
MSK
Tendon or Nerve = 3 sessions – Initial + 2 FU (30 mins). Package @ £378Â
Bone = 5 sessions – Initial + 4 FU (30mins). Package @ £594
Pelvic Health
CPPS = 5 sessions – Initial + 4 FU (1 hr) Package @ £1237.50Â
ED = 6 sessions – Initial + 5 FU (1 hr) Package @ £1485 (10% disc)
Mastitis – 3 sessions – Initial + 2 FU (30 mins). Package @ £378
Vulvodynia – 5 sessions – Initial + 4 FU (30mins). Package @ £594