Shockwave Therapy
in Minehead
Shockwave therapy is an evidence-based, non-surgical treatment commonly used for persistent tendon pain and longer-standing injuries. It involves passing acoustic pressure waves into damaged or irritated tissues to help stimulate healing, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural recovery process. The treatment is recommended by NICE for a number of musculoskeletal conditions.
At the clinic, shockwave therapy is often used alongside osteopathy, rehabilitation exercises, and hands-on treatment as part of a personalised recovery plan. It can be particularly helpful for stubborn tendon problems, ongoing pain, and injuries that have not fully improved with rest or other treatments alone.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
At Exmoor Osteopathy, we use radial shockwave therapy, an evidence-based, non-surgical treatment commonly used for persistent tendon pain and longer-standing musculoskeletal conditions. Treatment uses a handheld device to deliver low-energy acoustic pressure waves into injured or irritated tissues.
These pressure waves help stimulate the body's natural healing response by encouraging increased blood flow, supporting tissue repair, and promoting the regeneration of damaged tendon and soft tissues. Shockwave therapy is most often used for injuries that have not fully improved with rest, rehabilitation, or other conservative treatments alone.
Radial shockwave therapy does not involve injections or surgery and is often combined with osteopathy, rehabilitation exercises, and hands-on treatment as part of a personalised recovery plan.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends shockwave therapy for several musculoskeletal conditions, including certain tendon disorders, where appropriate.
Who Can Benefit from Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy may be helpful for people dealing with persistent tendon pain, overuse injuries, or problems that have been slow to recover.
This may include:
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Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
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Achilles tendinopathy
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Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
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Shoulder tendon pain
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Patellar tendinopathy (runner’s knee)
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Gluteal tendinopathy and lateral hip pain
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Hamstring tendon irritation
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Active individuals recovering from overuse injuries
How Shockwave Therapy May Help
Shockwave therapy is commonly used to help stimulate healing and recovery within injured tissues.
Treatment may help to:
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Support tendon healing and tissue repair
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Improve circulation to injured areas
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Reduce pain and sensitivity
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Encourage recovery from persistent injuries
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Support rehabilitation and return to activity
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Complement osteopathy and exercise-based treatment
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
Shockwave Therapy Alongside Osteopathy and Rehabilitation
Shockwave therapy is often used alongside osteopathy, sports massage, and rehabilitation exercises as part of a combined treatment approach.
While osteopathy focuses on movement, mobility, and overall body mechanics, shockwave therapy can help target stubborn or irritated tissues more directly. Rehabilitation exercises are then used to help improve strength, movement, and longer-term recovery.
Using treatments together can help support healing, improve movement, and reduce the likelihood of symptoms continually returning.
Shockwave Therapy vs Low Level Laser Therapy
Both shockwave therapy and low level laser therapy are used to support the recovery of musculoskeletal injuries, but they work in different ways. Shockwave therapy is commonly recommended for persistent tendon conditions and other long-standing soft tissue problems, particularly where symptoms have been present for several months.
Following a thorough assessment, we'll recommend the treatment - or combination of treatments - that we believe is most appropriate for your diagnosis, stage of healing and recovery goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shockwave Therapy
What is shockwave therapy used for? Shockwave therapy is commonly used for persistent tendon pain and soft tissue injuries, particularly when symptoms have been present for several months or have not fully improved with rest, exercise, or other treatment approaches.
What conditions can shockwave therapy help with? Shockwave therapy is often used for conditions such as: Plantar fasciitis Achilles tendinopathy Tennis elbow Golfer’s elbow Shoulder tendon pain Patellar tendinopathy Gluteal tendinopathy Hamstring tendon irritation Treatment suitability will always depend on your symptoms and assessment findings.
How does shockwave therapy work? Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic pressure waves into injured tissues to help stimulate healing responses within the body. Research suggests it may help improve blood flow, encourage tissue repair, stimulate collagen production, and influence pain signalling within irritated or longer-standing injuries.
Is shockwave therapy painful? Shockwave therapy can feel uncomfortable at times, especially around sensitive or irritated areas, but treatment should always remain manageable. The intensity can be adjusted throughout treatment depending on your comfort levels. Many people notice the area feels easier to move afterwards.
How many shockwave therapy sessions will I need? This depends on the condition being treated and how long symptoms have been present. A course of 3–6 sessions is commonly recommended alongside rehabilitation exercises and activity advice. Improvements are often gradual and continue over several weeks.
Can shockwave therapy be combined with osteopathy treatment? Yes - shockwave therapy is often used alongside osteopathy treatment to help improve movement, support recovery, and address the wider mechanical factors contributing to the problem.
Can shockwave therapy be combined with sports massage? Absolutely. Sports massage may help improve tissue mobility and reduce muscular tension, while shockwave therapy can help target persistent tendon or soft tissue irritation.
What happens during a shockwave therapy appointment? Your appointment will usually begin with an assessment to discuss your symptoms, medical history, activity levels, and recovery goals. Treatment is then applied to the affected area using a handheld shockwave device. Specific rehabilitation exercises and advice are often given alongside treatment, as these are an important part of recovery.
Are there any side effects after shockwave therapy? Some people experience mild soreness, redness, bruising, or temporary irritation around the treated area afterwards. This is usually short-lived and settles within a few days. Occasionally symptoms can feel temporarily aggravated before improving, as the body’s healing response has been stimulated. Serious side effects are uncommon, but there are certain situations and medical conditions where shockwave therapy may not be appropriate, which will always be discussed with you before treatment.
Is shockwave therapy safe? Yes - shockwave therapy is considered very safe when carried out by a properly trained practitioner and is widely used within musculoskeletal and rehabilitation settings. NICE guidelines support its use for several tendon-related conditions.
When is shockwave therapy not appropriate? Shockwave therapy may not be suitable for everyone. During your assessment, we will discuss your medical history and whether treatment is appropriate for you. The initial assessment will identify whether your injury/condition is appropriate for Shockwave Therapy treatment. Despite its effectiveness for the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions, we do not advise it is used on anyone who: - is pregnant/ trying to conceive - is taking blood thinning medication - is under 18 years of age - has had a steroid injection into the area to be treated within the last 12 weeks - has a blood clotting disorder (including thrombosis) - has cancer - has an infection or open wound at the site of the treatment - has a pacemaker - has epilepsy
What should I wear to a shockwave therapy appointment? Comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the affected area is recommended.
How quickly will I notice results from shockwave therapy? Some people notice changes quite quickly, while for others improvements happen more gradually over several weeks as healing and rehabilitation progress. The full effects of treatment are often seen over 12–16 weeks.
Is shockwave therapy supported by clinical evidence? Yes. Shockwave therapy is supported by a substantial and growing body of clinical research for the treatment of several persistent musculoskeletal conditions, particularly certain tendon disorders. In the UK, it is recognised within NICE guidance for specific conditions where appropriate. Clinical studies have shown that shockwave therapy can help reduce pain and improve function, especially when symptoms have persisted for several months and other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. At Exmoor Osteopathy, we combine shockwave therapy with a personalised rehabilitation programme to give you the best opportunity for a successful recovery. As with any treatment, results vary between individuals, and we'll discuss whether shockwave therapy is likely to be suitable for your condition during your assessment.
Shockwave Therapy for Persistent Pain and Recovery
Shockwave therapy can be a useful treatment option for stubborn tendon pain, persistent injuries, and ongoing soft tissue irritation. Whether used on its own or alongside osteopathy and rehabilitation treatment, care is tailored to help support recovery, improve movement, and get you back to doing more comfortably.