I have just commenced a treatment programme of Medical Shockwave therapy on my left ankle that was broken when I was 17 whilst playing North American Football. It is now full of arthritis and swells under exercise and becomes immobile and causes me continuous pain at a level of 4 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 the highest) but frequently goes to a 7.

If you think of a calf raise where you go up on your toes, on my right foot I can do an easy single calf raise of 100K’s. On my left foot I can do 0K’s. Immediately after the treatment I could do a full body calf raise.

For the first week it was 90% better and for the last two weeks it goes from 90% down to say 30%. I would say it is an average of 75% better and pain is virtually nil on a continuous basis. There is pain in the procedure, and it is continually around 5 to 6, but in some the areas it reached 8, and the doctor turned it down.

To put it in layman terms, shock wave treatment tricks the mind into thinking that the body has been reinjured and sends its recuperative arsenal to the area to heal the injury that was not injured.

This type of shock wave treatment is called focused shockwave and can only be done by a doctor. The shock wave treatment supplied by a physiotherapists is called radial treatment and is far less successful.

I have this Medical Shockwave Therapy at the Mews Practice in Godalming.

I am a member of the Mews Practice and have been working with them and have been treated by them for the last 4 years. I have referred clients to them through my business and have had high praise references for the Mews Practice.

If you are considering taking Medical Shockwave Treatment based on my experience, then you need to contact your doctor before considering treatment and read the following NICE guidelines.

If you want to follow my progress on this treatment send me an email and I will keep you in touch.

If you wish to make an appointment with The Mews Practice for a consultation or a HAUK health assessment you can use the introductory code HAUK

Health Assess UK Ltd is based in Guildford, Surrey. You can contact them on +44 (0)1483 578770 or email info@healthassessuk.co.uk

What is Medical Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy (SWT) is a clinically proven treatment for soft tissue injuries.

SWT is a non-invasive treatment in which a device is used to pass acoustic shockwaves at a set frequency through the skin to the affected area. It is purely a mechanical wave – not an electric one. Treatment initiates a pro-flamatory response in the tissue where the shockwaves have been applied. The body responds by increasing blood circulation, metabolism which accelerates the body’s own healing process.

Shockwave is an accepted intervention in the UK and treatment may provide pain relief for chronic tendinopathies.

Shockwave Therapy is effective at treating:

  • Neck Pain (Myofascial pain syndromes)
  • Shoulder Pain (Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder, subacrominal pain syndrome)
  • Back Pain (Myofascial pain syndromes, idiopathic lowerback pain and pseudoradicular syndromes)
  • Elbow Pain (Lateral and medial epicondylitis)
  • Hand Pain (Dupuytrens disease, De Quervain disease, trigger finger and Carpal tunnel syndrome)
  • Hip Pain (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
  • Hamstring Pain (Hamstring tendinopathy, insertional)
  • Knee Pain (Osteoarthritis, patella tip syndrome)
  • Osgood -Schlatter Disease
  • Achilles Pain (Achilles tendinopathy, insertional and mid body)
  • Heel Pain (Plantarfasciopathy)

The Benefits of Medical Shockwave Therapy at The Mews Practice

The Mews Practice offers a Medical Shockwave programme that combines focused and radial shockwave as a combination therapy.

Focused shockwaves are sound waves that are gathered (or focused) into deeper regions of the body, approximately 5cm. It is at this point that they reach their maximum energy. Focused shockwaves are used in the treatment of deep trigger points or areas, whereas radial shockwaves transmit outwards and do not reach as deep into the target area. Radial shockwaves are performed on greater surface areas of application or larger regions of the body.

The treatment stimulates and effectively supports the body’s self-healing mechanisms. It is usual to experience some immediate pain relief following the treatment and hence improved movement. There might be some discomfort during the treatment.

Patients may need to have maximum of three treatments – 7 to 10 days apartments. Results are noticeable after the first treatment. The procedure take 60 minutes. There is no anaesthesia required and after the treatment you can immediately or carrying on with your normal day.