If you’ve been dealing with a nagging tendon problem that just won’t go away, you’re definitely not alone. At Walnut Grove Clinic, we regularly see people who’ve been struggling for months, or even years, with issues like plantar fasciopathy (commonly known as plantar fasciitis), achilles pain, tennis elbow, or shoulder and knee problems. The good news is there’s a treatment that’s proving really effective for these long-standing conditions: shockwave therapy.
What is shockwave therapy?
Despite the slightly intimidating name, shockwave therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged tissue. It delivers these waves through the skin to the affected area. The “shock” part comes from a clever bit of engineering. A projectile is accelerated inside the device and strikes a transmitter, creating an acoustic pressure wave. This energy then travels into the tissue. The depth and spread of the treatment can be adjusted depending on what we’re treating.
How does it feel?
Most people describe it as a bit like a mini jackhammer tapping against the skin. It can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful and your practitioner will always keep it within a manageable level.
What does it actually do?
Shockwave therapy works by kick-starting your body’s natural healing processes. When tendons become injured over time, they can get stuck in a chronic state where healing slows right down. Shockwave helps shift things back into an active repair phase.
Here’s how it helps:
- It stimulates a fresh inflammatory response (which is actually a good thing in this case)
- It can reduce pain in the short term by overloading pain signals
- It encourages better blood flow and tissue health
- It boosts collagen production, which is essential for tendon repair
- It helps release tight, painful trigger points
On a deeper level, the treatment triggers something called mechanotransduction, essentially converting mechanical energy into biological changes. This can lead to increased activity in cells responsible for healing, including those involved in blood vessel formation and tissue repair.
Is it safe?
Yes, shockwave therapy is widely considered safe and is approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use in the UK. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. You might experience some soreness, slight bruising, or temporary skin irritation for a day or so after treatment. Your practitioner will also go through your medical history to make sure it’s suitable for you, although there are very few reasons why someone couldn’t have it.
Does it work on its own?
This is really important: shockwave therapy works best as part of a bigger plan. While it can be very effective on its own, combining it with the right exercises and rehab programme gives you the best chance of long-term success. Tendons need load to heal properly, which means carefully guided strengthening exercises are essential.
What research tells us about tendon pain
- Rest alone doesn’t help – tendons actually become weaker
- Exercise is one of the most effective treatments
- Gradual loading is crucial for proper healing
- Pain during exercise is okay (within reason)
- Recovery takes time – usually at least 3-6 months
Interestingly, scans like ultrasound or MRI don’t always tell the full story. The structure of a tendon doesn’t reliably match how much pain you feel, so treatment is guided more by symptoms and function than imaging results.
The bottom line
Tendon problems can be frustrating and slow to improve but they are treatable. Shockwave therapy offers a really useful way to restart the healing process, especially when progress has stalled.
At Walnut Grove Clinic, we use shockwave therapy as part of a tailored treatment approach, designed around you and your specific condition. If you’ve been putting up with persistent tendon pain, it might be time to try something different. Why not give us a call on 01275 818303 to see how we can help you?
