What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, or ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured or painful tissues.

It is commonly used in musculoskeletal conditions where healing has become slow or “stuck”, particularly long-standing tendon and joint problems.

Shockwave works by:

• Increasing local blood flow
• Stimulating tissue repair and regeneration
• Reducing pain signals in the affected area
• Encouraging breakdown of chronic calcification

Treatment is performed using a handheld device placed on the skin with ultrasound gel. Most sessions take only a few minutes.

Focused vs Radial Shockwave Therapy

There are two main types of shockwave therapy: radial and focused.

Radial Shockwave

Radial shockwave spreads energy outward from the surface.

• More superficial effect
• Energy dissipates as it travels deeper
• Often used for general soft tissue treatment

Focused Shockwave (What We Use in Sheffield)

Focused shockwave delivers energy precisely to a specific depth within the tissue.

• Targets deeper structures more accurately
• Higher energy concentration at the treatment site
• Can be adjusted to different depths depending on the condition

At our clinic, we use focused shockwave therapy, which allows us to precisely target the affected tendon or tissue for more accurate treatment delivery.

When is Shockwave Used?

Shockwave therapy is most effective for long-standing (chronic) musculoskeletal conditions, particularly where symptoms have lasted more than 3 months and have not responded to standard physiotherapy.

Common conditions treated include:

Tendon conditions

• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Gluteal tendinopathy / hip pain

Shoulder conditions

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy

Calcific conditions

• Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder (calcium deposits in tendons)

Joint-related pain

• Mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA), particularly in the knee

What to Expect

A typical course of treatment is usually 3–5 sessions, spaced around one week apart. Some patients may notice improvement after the first 1–2 sessions, while others experience gradual improvement over several weeks as tissue healing progresses.

Treatment can be uncomfortable but is generally well tolerated, and does not require anaesthetic or downtime.

Is Shockwave Right for You?

Shockwave therapy is most appropriate when:

• Pain has lasted more than 3 months
• Physiotherapy and exercise alone have not fully resolved symptoms
• The condition involves tendons or chronic soft tissue irritation

A full assessment is always carried out first to ensure it is suitable and safe for your condition.

Our Approach

We use focused shockwave therapy combined with a structured rehabilitation plan, ensuring treatment is not just symptom relief but part of a long-term recovery strategy.

All shockwave therapy appointments will need to be booked in through the main reception on 0114 267 1223 or info@hallamshirephysiotherapy.com and will not be available through online bookings.