When Pain Won't Settle: Could Shockwave Therapy Help?
If you've been struggling with heel pain, Achilles pain, tennis elbow or pain around the outside of your hip for weeks or even months, you'll know how frustrating persistent pain can become.
You rest. It feels a little better. You return to walking, running, the gym or normal activity — and it comes back again.
For some persistent tendon problems, shockwave therapy may be one treatment option worth considering.
At Revive Physio in Mosley Common, near Worsley and Walkden, shockwave therapy is now available as part of physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation.
What is shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic pressure waves which are applied to the painful or affected area using a handheld device.
It is commonly used in physiotherapy for persistent tendon and soft-tissue conditions, particularly when symptoms haven't responded as expected to more traditional treatment.
Rather than simply trying to temporarily ease pain, treatment is used alongside appropriate rehabilitation to support recovery and improve function.
What conditions can shockwave therapy help?
Shockwave therapy is commonly used for persistent conditions such as:
Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
Achilles tendinopathy
Tennis elbow
Golfer's elbow
Gluteal tendinopathy and lateral hip pain
Patellar tendinopathy
Other persistent tendon problems
However, shockwave isn't appropriate for every painful condition. That's why assessment matters.
Why assessment comes first at Revive
One of the most important things I explain to patients is that the place you feel pain isn't always the whole problem.
Heel pain, for example, may be influenced by calf strength, ankle movement, foot loading, activity levels or changes in training.
Pain around the outside of the hip may involve the gluteal tendons, but strength, loading, the lower back and movement patterns may also need to be considered.
Simply treating the painful spot without considering the wider picture can mean missing important contributing factors.
At Revive, shockwave therapy can therefore be combined with physiotherapy assessment, hands-on treatment, strength and mobility work and a personalised rehabilitation programme where appropriate.
Is shockwave painful?
You will usually feel the treatment.
The intensity can be adjusted throughout your session so that it remains tolerable, and treatment is tailored to you and the area being treated.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on the condition, how long you've had it and how you respond to treatment.
Following assessment, I'll discuss whether shockwave is appropriate and recommend a treatment plan based on your individual presentation rather than automatically prescribing the same number of sessions to everybody.
What if I've had the pain for months?
Persistent pain doesn't necessarily mean you simply have to learn to live with it.
If you've already tried resting, changing footwear, stretching, massage or exercises and your symptoms continue to return, a detailed assessment can help establish what may be preventing recovery.
Shockwave may form part of that treatment plan where clinically appropriate.
Shockwave Therapy in Mosley Common, Worsley & Walkden
Shockwave therapy is now available at Revive Physio in Mosley Common, conveniently located for Worsley, Walkden, Boothstown, Tyldesley and surrounding areas.
With over 22 years of physiotherapy experience, my approach is to look beyond the painful area and understand the person as a whole — helping you understand what's happening, what may be contributing to it and what we can do to get you moving confidently again.
If persistent heel, tendon, elbow, knee or hip pain is stopping you doing the things you enjoy, you can book a physiotherapy and shockwave assessment online.
Revive Physio – Mosley Common, Worsley
Helping you move better, feel stronger and thrive.