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Shockwave Therapy (SWT)

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Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00am to 8:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am to 8:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am to 8:00pm
Friday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday & Sunday: Closed

To make an appointment, please call our RECEPTION on (020) 8482 1112 or click here to Online Booking.

Shockwave Therapy (SWT)

Shockwave Therapy or Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)   is a procedure where shockwaves are passed through the skin to the injured tissue. Extracorporeal means outside of the body. The shockwaves are mechanical and not electric.
Shockwaves are audible, low-energy sound waves, which work by increasing blood flow to the injured area, influencing inflammation and nerve fibres involved in pain. This helps with your body’s healing process.

What is SWT used to treat?

  • Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Patellar Tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
  • Trochanteric Bursitis/GTPS (lateral hip pain)
  • Proximal hamstring Tendinitis
  • Shoulder/Calcific Tendonitis
  • Adhesive Capsulitis
  • Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (shin splints)
  • Elbow Pain (tennis and golfer’s elbow)
  • Thigh Pain (hamstring and quadriceps muscle strain)
  • Osgood-Schlatter Disease
  • Knee Osteoarthritis
  • Spasticity

Who is it not for?

  • You are pregnant
  • You are taking anti-platelets
  • You have taken anti-inflammatory medication less than 2 weeks prior to treatment
  • You have a cardiac pacemaker or other cardiac device
  • You have a blood clotting disorder (including local thrombosis)
  • You are under the age of 18 (except for the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease)
  • You have been diagnosed with bone cancer
  • You have a local tumor at the area to be treated
  • You have a local bacterial and/or viral infection over the area to be treated
  • You have a history of tendon or ligament rupture
  • You have a pre-ruptured tendon
  • You have had a steroid injection in the previous 6 weeks

How long does the treatment take?

A normal session lasts 10 minutes and three sessions are recommended. It is common to experience some pain relief immediately after each session and all three treatments are required to maximise the effects of the treatment.

The National Institute of Health Care Excellence (NICE) has declared extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Orthopaedic Lithotripsy) to be safe and initial trials have demonstrated positive results.

Frequently Asked Questions

The number of ESWT treatments needed can vary depending on the specific condition being treated. Generally, a course of treatment consists of multiple sessions, typically ranging from 3 to 6 sessions, spaced out over several weeks. The exact number of treatments required can depend on factors such as the severity of your condition, your response to treatment, and your overall health status.
You will need to be available for the full course of treatment over several weeks. You should not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, for two weeks before and throughout your treatment period. If you are unsure if any of your medicines contain NSAIDs then please check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Wear comfortable clothing. You may be asked to undress, depending on the area to be treated.
Treatment will be performed in the physiotherapy department, though locations may change if necessary. You will be asked to lie on your front with your legs supported by a pillow if treating Achilles or heel pain, or on your back for knee, or side with hip pain. The clinician will put ultrasound gel over the area and place the device hand piece on the gel. ESWT is delivered using the hand piece – delivering compressed air pulses through the ultrasound gel. Each treatment takes approximately five minutes.
It is typical for patients to experience some pain or discomfort during the procedure. ESWT will be applied at a low level and slowly increased to a tolerance level. You can inform us of your pain experience and we will adjust treatment to allow you to manage more comfortably.
You may experience a reduced level of pain or no pain at all immediately after the treatment, but a mild pain may occur after a few hours.
You may return to your usual activities, including work, straight away. However, we advise for you not to undertake strenuous, pain-provoking activity or high-impact exercise for 48 hours after the treatment. You can take over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol, but anti-inflammatory medications should be avoided. Ice therapy should also be avoided throughout the course of your treatment, as it can interfere with the body’s healing process.Make sure you stick to the treatment plan recommended by your osteopath to achieve the best possible results from ESWT.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced recommendations for patients on ESWT for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar heel pain: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg571/resources/extracorporeal-shockwave-therapy-for- achilles-tendinopathy-pdf-3541876757701 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg311/resources/treating-chronic-plantar-fasciitis-using- shockwave-therapy-pdf-312696253

Refer a Patient to Enfield Osteopathic Clinic

We welcome referrals for patients who may benefit from our specialist osteopathic treatments, including IDD Therapy.
We keep you informed and support continuity of care throughout their treatment.

Referral Form PDF version
Referral Form MS Word Document

Get In Touch

Start Your Healing Journey Today

We are here to answer your questions and help you start your recovery journey with us.

Phone

020 8482 1112

Send E-mail

info@enfieldosteoclinic.com

Opening Hours

  • Monday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
  • Tuesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
  • Thursday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
  • Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
  • Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

  • Wednesday & Sunday: Closed

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93 ST. MARKS ROAD, BUSH HILL PARK ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX EN1 1BJ
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