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Shockwave therapy

A clinician applying shockwave therapy to a patient's foot.

If heel or tendon pain has persisted despite other care, shockwave may be one option to talk through. It is usually part of a wider plan, with an agreed point to check whether it is helping before more visits.

Before you decide

  • Suitability: evidence is mixed and improvement is not assured. It is not offered if assessment doesn’t support it, or if pregnancy, the treatment area or certain medical conditions make it unsuitable. When we would not recommend it
  • Alternatives: a loading or strength program, footwear changes or other care; shockwave usually accompanies these rather than replacing them. How it fits your plan
  • Review point: we agree what response to look for before continuing. You don’t need to decide on a course straight away.
  • Total cost: the course is quoted at your assessment, with timing agreed before treatment starts. What it costs

Shockwave delivers energy pulses to selected areas of persistent musculoskeletal pain, usually after other approaches have been tried.

Why would you recommend it?

Shockwave may be considered for persistent plantar heel pain or some tendon problems after other approaches. Research findings vary by condition and treatment protocol; improvement is not assured. NICE guidance on plantar heel pain and Achilles tendinopathy explain the evidence limitations.

What does it feel like?

Pulses can feel like strong tapping and may be uncomfortable. Let us know how it feels so we can adjust or stop.

When would you not recommend it?

When assessment does not support its use, another approach is more appropriate, or your health or the treatment location makes it unsuitable. Pregnancy, treatment location and certain medical conditions may make it unsuitable. We check your health and medicines before discussing a course and its total cost.

How does it fit with the rest of your plan?

When appropriate, shockwave may accompany a loading or strength program. We agree what response to review before continuing rather than assuming a fixed course suits everyone.

What it costs

Shockwave is one of the separately quoted treatments. The quote is given at your assessment, with options, costs and timing agreed before treatment starts.