Shockwave Therapy

At Somerset Health Practice we can treat pain effectively by the use of acoustic shock waves.

Shockwave therapy harmlessly stimulates affected tissues to heal. It's best known for use on the stubborn pain of achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and hip pain but can help many more conditions with inspiring results (see below).

There is significant evidence from clinical trials to support the effectiveness of shockwave therapy in treating many common conditions.

It is widely used in professional sports and hospital departments and is approved by NICE, the UK medical regulatory body.

The Shockwave machine is a precision instrument. Based on research, we have invested in a top of the range 'Swiss Dolorclast' because it is reliable and effective.

Contrary to what some people imagine, Shockwave therapy does not involve any electric shocks!

It works by delivering impulses of acoustic energy, targeted to damaged tissues within the abnormal tendon, nerves or tissues. This increases blood flow, stimulates cell regeneration, decreases pain and creates lasting healing.

Foot and ankle problems - Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis in the foot is a painful condition. Sometimes it's eased by a heel lift wedge and arch supports but the pain can go on for years, causing misery. Shockwave therapy can really help.

Our patient Mr M, aged 80, reported:
"I'm honestly amazed how brilliant the Shockwave machine was. Only four weeks after starting treatment for stubborn achilles tendonitis, I played four hours of table tennis and didn't feel a thing."

Another active retiree says:
"There was a swollen lump over the tendon and a constant, nagging ache. After Shockwave treatments were complete, I had no more problems. To anyone with achilles, I'd say, don't suffer, go to the Somerset Health Practice clinic."

Foot and ankle problems - Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a strain of either the fascia or tendons in the foot. Both are key connecting tissues. Risk factors are flat feet, loose ligaments, uncomfortable shoes and walking on uneven ground.

Plantar fasciitis can cause persistent pain and prove stubborn to treat, but in hospital orthopaedic departments, Shockwave therapy treatment has been proven effective.

Mrs M was apprehensive but a few months after having Shockwave with us she said:
"Yipee, it's worked! No more plantar fasciitis pain, I'm active again, have lost weight and am back to enjoying my life and sports. I'm so glad I stuck with it."

Help for our hard-working hips

Problems with the hips can impact everyday life and reduce movement, especially if pain is persistent. We may put on weight, adding further strain to the complex criss-cross of muscles around the hips.

Problems at the 'greater trochanter' joint and the hip rotator cuff can cause tears and irritation to tendons and the painful inflammation of bursitis. We diagnose these problems in the clinic with an ultrasound scan and treat them with Shockwave therapy.

A different cause of hip problems is 'pronation', the poor alignment of feet. An experienced osteopath can spot this and treat it by realigning joints, soothing muscles and prescribing orthotics to correct foot roll.

Patient Mrs W says:
"Matthew was caring and thorough and finally addressed the real cause of my hip pain. It was reassuring to be treated in one clinic with so many skills of diagnosis and treatment, including Shockwave, and fantastic to walk easily again, with advice for keeping my hips flexible and problem free."

Other conditions helped by Shockwave therapy

Knee problems including patella tendonopathy and shin splints
Shoulder pain - impingement and calcific tendonitis of the shoulder
Tennis elbow and golfers elbow

Shockwave therapy plus traditional Chinese herbs

We often prescribe a combination of medicinal herbs with a shockwave treatment plan to increase its effectiveness.

Tried and tested herbs reduce inflammation, promote circulation and drain fluids.

Treatment schedules and prices

We recommend 6 sessions for optimum improvement, with most people starting to feel relief after 3-5 sessions.

Steadily building on the effect of sessions offers a better outcome for chronic injury states than having the occasional single treatment.

Individual session - £120.00

6 sessions (including initial assessment) - £570.00

Additional sessions each - £95.00