If you have been struggling with a long-standing tendon or soft tissue problem, you may have come across shockwave therapy as a treatment option. It has become one of the most talked about and researched therapies for stubborn injuries that don’t respond to rest, physiotherapy, or medication.
But what exactly is shockwave therapy? How does it work? And importantly, what’s the difference between the two types – focussed shockwave and radial shockwave?
At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we use shockwave as part of our specialist injury services, and patients often tell us that the information available online can feel a bit confusing.
This article aims to cut through the jargon and explain who it’s for, how it helps, and why choosing the right clinic matters.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy uses high energy sound waves (not electrical shocks, despite the name) to stimulate healing in tissues that have become slow to repair. These pulses of energy are delivered directly to the injured area using a handheld device.
The treatment is especially effective for chronic musculoskeletal conditions, where pain has persisted for months and the tissue has not responded to traditional physiotherapy or rest. Rather than masking symptoms, shockwave aims to restart the healing process by:
- Increasing blood flow to the injured area
- Stimulating cell activity to help repair damaged tissue
- Breaking down calcification or scar tissue
- Reducing pain by interfering with pain signals
This makes it a particularly useful treatment for tendon-related problems, which often have less of a blood supply and can be slow to heal.
Focussed Shockwave vs Radial Shockwave – What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions patients ask us is: “What type of shockwave will I be having?”
There are actually two forms of shockwave therapy, and understanding the difference can help explain why outcomes can vary.
Radial Shockwave
- The most widely available type of shockwave in UK clinics.
- Best used on tendon and muscle
- Delivers energy in a more dispersed, superficial pattern (1-2cm depth).
- Best suited for larger surface areas or conditions where pain is more diffuse (for example, muscle tension or broader tendon pain).
- Generally less intense, however some patients find it more uncomfortable.
Focussed Shockwave
- This is a more advanced form of shockwave treatment available in the UK from Venn
- Delivers energy in a highly focused, deeper wave that penetrates further into tissues (up to 12 cm depth).
- Particularly effective for stubborn, well-localised conditions like calcific deposits in the shoulder or chronic plantar fasciitis.
- Requires greater expertise and higher-specification equipment, which is why it is not available everywhere.
- Generally more comfortable
- Has other indications such as stress fractures, nerve irritation and male pelvic health.
In simple terms; radial = broad and surface level, focussed = targeted and deep.
At 3-month post shockwave the results may be exactly the same, however with focussed shockwave the journey may be offer more comfortable with quicker improvements. At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we are one of the few clinics able to offer focussed shockwave, which allows us to treat more complex cases that may not respond to radial treatment alone.
What Conditions Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?
Shockwave is not a magic wand, but for the right condition, it can make a huge difference. Some of the most common problems we treat include:
- Plantar fasciitis – heel pain, especially first thing in the morning
- Achilles tendinopathy – pain at the back of the heel, common in runners
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow – persistent elbow pain caused by overuse
- Patellar tendinopathy (“jumper’s knee”) – pain at the front of the knee
- Calcific shoulder tendinopathy – where calcium deposits build up in the rotator cuff.
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (hip bursitis) – pain on the outside of the hip
- High hamstring tendinopathy
- Gluteus medius tendinopathy
- Bone strain injury and stress fractures, common in those training for a marathon
Each of these conditions often develops slowly and can linger for months, sometimes years. Patients usually come to us after trying rest, exercises, and sometimes steroid injections, but still being held back by ongoing pain.
What Does Treatment Involve?
Shockwave therapy sessions are straightforward and usually take around 15 minutes. During the appointment:
- A physiotherapist will assess your condition and identify the exact area to treat.
- Ultrasound gel is applied to the skin to help conduct the shockwaves.
- The handheld device delivers pulses of energy to the targeted area.
Most people describe the sensation as uncomfortable but tolerable – a bit like sharp tapping. The intensity can be adjusted depending on your comfort.
Treatment usually involves a course of 3 – 6 sessions, spaced about a week apart. Improvements often become noticeable within 2 – 3 sessions, though for chronic cases, it may take the full course (and sometimes a few weeks after finishing) for results to peak.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Everyone?
Not every patient or injury is suitable for shockwave, which is why a full assessment is important prior to commencing treatment. Shockwave is usually recommended for:
- Chronic injuries lasting more than 3 months (radial shockwave)
- Cases where exercise and physiotherapy alone haven’t worked
- Patients looking to avoid or delay invasive options like injections or surgery
It is not suitable for people with certain medical conditions (such as blood clotting disorders or pacemakers), or during pregnancy. At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we always carry out a detailed assessment to make sure it is safe and appropriate for each individual.
Why Choose Wandsworth Physiotherapy for Shockwave?
With the rise in popularity of shockwave therapy, many clinics now advertise it – but not all services are the same.
At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, our unique approach includes:
- Access to focussed shockwave therapy – more advanced and effective for stubborn conditions than radial shockwave alone.
- Specialist physiotherapists – who combine shockwave with tailored rehabilitation exercises, ensuring that results last.
- Multidisciplinary support – we can integrate treatment with podiatry, Gait analysis, acupuncture, ultrasound-guided injections, and rehabilitation programmes, meaning you get a complete solution, not just a single treatment.
- Experience with sports injuries – our clinicians work extensively with runners, footballers, and recreational athletes who need to return to activity quickly and safely.
Patients often tell us they had tried shockwave elsewhere without success, only to find that with focussed shockwave and the right rehab, their pain finally began to improve. This combined, specialist approach is what sets us apart.
When to Seek Help
If you have been struggling with a tendon or soft tissue problem that just won’t settle, shockwave therapy may offer the breakthrough you need. It is not about replacing physiotherapy exercises but about giving the healing process the kick-start it needs.
At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we see patients from in Wandsworth Town, Clapham Junction, Battersea and Vauxhall, and across South West London, who are looking for expert help with persistent pain. Don’t continue to struggle in pain, seek help sooner rather than later.
Whether you’re a runner held back by Achilles pain, someone struggling with tennis elbow at work, or waking each morning with plantar fasciitis, there may be an effective solution available.
In Summary
Shockwave therapy has transformed the way we treat many stubborn injuries. It’s important to understand the difference between focussed and radial shockwave, as it explains why results can vary from one clinic to another.
For well-targeted, chronic problems, focussed shockwave is often the gold standard, and at Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we are proud to offer this specialist service alongside expert rehabilitation support.
If you’re tired of being told to just “rest and wait,” it may be time to explore whether shockwave therapy could finally help you get back to doing what you love.
FAQs
1. What is shockwave therapy and how does it work?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high energy sound waves to stimulate healing in tendons and soft tissues. At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we use both focussed and radial shockwave to improve blood flow, break down scar tissue, and reduce pain for conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow.
2. What conditions can shockwave therapy treat?
Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for chronic tendon and soft tissue injuries. Common conditions we treat at Wandsworth Physiotherapy include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy), calcific shoulder tendinopathy, and hip bursitis.
3. What is the difference between radial and focussed shockwave therapy?
Radial shockwave delivers energy in a broad, surface-level pattern, while focussed shockwave penetrates deeper and is more targeted. At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we offer focussed shockwave therapy, which is more effective for stubborn conditions like calcific shoulder tendonitis, bone injury and chronic plantar fasciitis.
4. How many shockwave therapy sessions do I need?
Most patients need a course of 3 – 6 sessions of shockwave therapy, usually spaced one week apart. This may be closer to 5 or 6 with radial shockwave, and closer to 3 –5 with focussed shockwave. Many people notice improvement after 2–3 treatments, though chronic injuries may take the full course plus ongoing rehabilitation. At Wandsworth Physiotherapy, we combine shockwave with tailored physiotherapy exercises for long-term results.
5. Is shockwave therapy available at Wandsworth Physiotherapy?
Yes. Wandsworth Physiotherapy is one of the few clinics in South West London offering focussed and radial shockwave therapy alongside physiotherapy, podiatry, and rehabilitation programmes. This makes us a leading choice for patients seeking expert treatment for stubborn tendon injuries.