Service
Shockwave
Shockwave therapy is one of the most effective treatments we offer at Complete Recovery Physio for persistent tendon and soft tissue conditions that haven’t improved with rest or standard rehabilitation alone. It delivers targeted acoustic waves deep into the affected area, increasing blood flow and activating the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
It is particularly helpful for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), and calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder — especially when other approaches have plateaued or stopped working.
Many patients like shockwave therapy because it is quick, precise, non-invasive, and does not involve injections or medication. Most people start to notice meaningful improvements after just a few sessions. If you’ve been struggling with a stubborn injury that rest and exercises haven’t resolved, shockwave therapy could be the treatment that finally helps you move forward.
Shockwave therapy is especially effective for chronic or persistent musculoskeletal conditions that have not improved with rest, exercise-based rehab, or other conservative treatments. It is most frequently used for tendon problems such as Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and golfer’s elbow. It is also an excellent option for calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder, where calcium deposits cause pain and restrict movement.
We commonly recommend shockwave for active individuals and athletes who are held back by ongoing tendon pain that prevents them from training or performing at their best — particularly when scans show degenerative changes rather than a recent tear. It can also help less active people who experience repeated pain flare-ups every time they try to increase their activity levels or return to exercise.
If you’ve been advised to simply “keep stretching” or “give it more time” for months with little or no progress, shockwave therapy can often provide the stimulus needed to restart healing and help you get moving again.
A shockwave therapy session is quick and non-invasive, typically lasting 15–20 minutes. Using a handheld applicator, we deliver focused high-energy sound waves directly to the painful or injured area. These waves help increase blood flow, stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, and break down scar tissue or calcium deposits in stubborn tendons.
During treatment, you may feel a tapping or pulsing sensation. It can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but we continuously adjust the intensity to keep it tolerable. Most patients manage it well. There is no downtime afterwards, so you can usually return to your normal daily activities straight away. However, we often recommend avoiding heavy loading or high-impact activity for 24–48 hours to allow the tissue to respond optimally.
We generally recommend a course of 3–6 sessions, spaced one week apart, depending on your condition and how you progress. Shockwave therapy tends to give the best results when combined with a structured rehabilitation programme — we’ll provide clear guidance on the right exercises and activity levels to support your recovery.
We use very fine, sterile, single-use needles that are gently placed into specific points on the body — commonly in areas of muscle tightness, near nerve pathways, or where pain is most noticeable. Most people feel little more than a mild tingling or dull sensation; it is generally not painful.
The treatment itself is quiet and relaxing. The needles typically stay in place for around 15 to 20 minutes while you rest comfortably. You may notice a gentle ache, warmth, or heavy feeling around the needles — these sensations are completely normal.
Depending on your needs, acupuncture can be used at the beginning or end of a session, or combined with manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, or other treatments such as shockwave therapy.
Shockwave therapy is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for several persistent musculoskeletal conditions, and with good reason. It works by delivering targeted sound waves that stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms, helping to reduce pain, promote tissue repair, and speed up recovery.
It is particularly useful for patients who have not seen sufficient improvement with rest, standard rehabilitation, or even injections. Key benefits include effective pain relief, improved tissue healing, better mobility, and a faster return to daily activities or sport. Many patients begin to notice positive changes within the first 1–3 sessions, though a course of 3–6 treatments is typically recommended for longer-lasting results.
Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment with no downtime, so you can usually continue with your day immediately afterwards. When combined with a tailored rehabilitation programme at Complete Recovery Physio, it provides both rapid symptom relief and more sustainable improvements.
FAQs
Shockwave Frequently Asked Questions
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged tendons and soft tissues. At Complete Recovery Physio, we use it to help reduce pain and promote tissue repair in stubborn musculoskeletal conditions.
It is particularly effective for chronic tendon problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder. It is often recommended when rest, exercises, or other treatments have not provided enough improvement.
The treatment delivers focused acoustic waves deep into the affected area. These waves increase blood flow, stimulate the body’s natural healing response, reduce pain, and help break down scar tissue or calcium deposits.
You may feel a tapping or pulsing sensation during treatment, which can sometimes be uncomfortable. We always adjust the intensity to keep it tolerable. Most patients manage the session well, and any discomfort usually settles quickly afterwards.
Each session typically lasts 15–20 minutes. It is quick, focused, and performed as part of your physiotherapy appointment.
Most people benefit from a course of 3–6 weekly sessions, depending on the condition and how you respond. Many patients notice improvements within the first 1–3 sessions, with better long-term results after completing the full course.
There is usually no downtime. You can continue with your normal daily activities straight after treatment. However, we often recommend avoiding heavy loading or high-impact activity for 24–48 hours to allow the tissue to respond optimally.
Shockwave therapy is carried out by Rob Wood, our lead physiotherapist. Rob is highly experienced in using shockwave as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and will only recommend it when he believes it is appropriate for your specific condition.
Yes. Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment with a strong evidence base. It is recommended by NICE for several musculoskeletal conditions and does not involve injections or medication. We follow strict clinical protocols to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Yes — shockwave works best when combined with a tailored rehabilitation programme. We use it alongside manual therapy and specific exercises to provide both symptom relief and lasting improvements, helping you return to activity with better long-term results.
Team
Meet The Team
I had a deep tissue massage focusing on my back and legs, and it was absolutely amazing! The pressure was perfect, and I left feeling so much lighter and completely relaxed. I’m really pleased with the whole experience and will definitely be coming back again. Highly recommend!
I have to say since seeing Robert I have made a full recovery and very pleased with the result, happy I went to see him and wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Thanks again Complete Recovery Physiotherapy.
Rob is great guy, friendly, sympathetic and a good listener. He clearly knows his stuff. I strongly recommend him.
The programme of exercises he developed for me has improved my symptoms tremendously.
I would highly recommend him.
Thank you so much Rob
Janet
The training app he uses is a great way to incorporate tech into customers rehab journeys as well.
Will continue to use and recommend to others 😀.
Of pain therapy natually causes.
Would recommend him to anyone.
After just 4 sessions, I've been given some strength-building and stretching exercises which have reduced my pain massively and reduced the effect on my day-to-day life. I'm now in a much-improved position where I can continue to self manage and I'm confident it will only continue to improve.
Rob is friendly and knowledgeable and his facilities are professional and welcoming. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him if you need any support!
and set me up on an app that gave me a neck program to complete each day, which does help. Rob is happy to answer any questions you may have and walk you through what he is going to do and how you can help yourself. If you're in pain, don't hesitate to contact Rob. You will thank yourself for it. Thanks for all your help, Rob.
Booked an appointment easily through the website and have had multiple appointments with Rob, who is brilliant, and is helping me to recover from a sporting injury.
There is a really useful triage assessment that you can complete on the website. I found this to be really good.
