Shockwave Therapy
Advanced treatment for stubborn tendon and soft tissue injuries.
If you have been struggling with a tendon or soft tissue injury that simply will not resolve, shockwave therapy could be the treatment that finally makes the difference. At Prime Sports Physiotherapy, we offer extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) at our Balerno and Newhaven clinics, a clinically proven, NICE-recommended treatment for persistent musculoskeletal conditions that have not responded sufficiently to other approaches.
What conditions does shockwave therapy treat?
Shockwave therapy is particularly effective for tendon and soft tissue conditions that have become chronic or slow to heal. We use it to treat a range of presentations including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, hamstring tendinopathy, gluteal tendinopathy, lateral hip pain and bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and tennis elbow. If you have been managing ongoing pain in any of these areas and feel like you have had enough, it is worth discussing whether shockwave therapy might be appropriate for you.
How does it work?
Shockwave therapy works by delivering focused pulses of energy to the affected tissue using a handheld device applied directly to the skin. These pulses stimulate the body’s natural healing response, promoting blood flow, breaking down calcific deposits, and encouraging tissue repair in areas that have become stuck in a cycle of chronic pain and degeneration. The treatment is non-invasive and does not require surgery or injections.
What does an appointment involve?
Your first appointment begins with a full assessment to confirm that shockwave therapy is appropriate for your condition and to rule out any contraindications. If it is the right option for you, treatment is delivered as a course of sessions over several weeks, allowing the healing response to build progressively over time. Each session is relatively short and most patients tolerate the treatment well, though some temporary discomfort during the procedure is normal and is generally a sign that the therapy is reaching the right area.
Shockwave therapy at Prime is never delivered in isolation. Every course of treatment is combined with physiotherapy-led rehabilitation, including targeted exercises and lifestyle advice, to address the underlying cause of your condition and support long-term recovery rather than simply managing symptoms. This combined approach is what makes the difference between short-term relief and lasting results.
How will it benefit you?
Many patients who come to us for shockwave therapy have been living with persistent pain for months or even years and have already tried other treatments without success. For this group in particular, shockwave therapy can be genuinely transformative, providing the stimulus the body needs to finally begin healing while the rehabilitation programme builds the strength and resilience to keep problems from returning.
Who is it for?
Shockwave therapy is suitable for people with a persistent tendon or soft tissue condition that has not resolved with rest, manual therapy, or exercise alone. There are medical contraindications to shockwave therapy such as pins or plates in the area, numbness, disordered blood clotting and electrical implants. If you are unsure whether shockwave therapy is right for your condition, get in touch and we will be happy to advise.