Shockwave Therapy for Persistent Tendon & Soft Tissue Pain
Evidence-based shockwave therapy delivered as part of a thorough, one-to-one physiotherapy assessment and treatment plan.
Shockwave therapy can be a useful tool for certain long-standing tendon and soft tissue conditions that have failed to respond to more traditional physiotherapy approaches. When used appropriately, it may help stimulate tissue repair, reduce pain sensitivity, and support longer-term recovery.
At Chris Heywood Physio, shockwave therapy is never used as a standalone or routine treatment. It is applied selectively, based on a detailed physiotherapy clinical assessment, current evidence, and your individual presentation — and always integrated into a wider rehabilitation plan.
£100 - 60 mins
Payment
All fees should be paid in full at the end of each session by card. If you wish to pay by cash please request this prior to the appointment. Please see the Q & A below for information regarding health insurance.
Thanks to the registration process, I’ll already have a solid understanding of your condition or injury before you arrive. From there, the focus shifts to digging deeper—gathering the finer details and assessing exactly what’s going on so we can get you moving in the right direction.
The first thing to understand about shockwave therapy is that it’s a destructive or disruptive treatment by design. Its goal is to stimulate the body’s healing response through controlled microtrauma. You can read more about how it works here, but it’s important to note: not all conditions or patients are suitable for this treatment.
A prime example of this would be if you are taking blood-thinning medication (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin), as it may lead to excessive tissue trauma.
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Shockwave Therapy Treaatment - what happens on the day?
If we have agreed together than shockwave therapy is the best option for you then normally I offer the first treatment on the day of the assessment to save you both time and money.
You will receive information on details surrounding medications you should avoid during he shockwave regime, be provided with a plan for between sessions as this is really where the change happens, and a clear indication of how many sessions you may expect to need.
Early research into shockwave therapy often promoted it as a standalone treatment, typically delivered in 4–6 sessions followed by rehabilitation afterwards. While this worked well for some clinics, modern, evidence-based guidance suggests that shockwave should be part of a broader recovery programme, not used in isolation.That’s why I only offer shockwave therapy as part of 60-minute sessions. It’s integrated into your rehab—not just added on.
These sessions include assessment, hands-on treatment, shockwave (where appropriate), and progressive rehabilitation planning. Four to six sessions remains a sensible starting point for most people, but everyone is different. Some need fewer, others may need more. By the time your shockwave sessions are complete, you’ll already be confident in your rehab plan, which will have been developed alongside your treatment. Typically, you’ll then enter a self-managed phase lasting around 4–6 weeks, with minimal input from me while you focus on your own recovery.
**Please note that Shockwave Therapy can be uncomfortable but active treatment only last a few minutes**
The Shockwave is created by a metal 'bullet' traveling up and down a 'closed gun', powered by a compressor. When the bullet hits the end, which is in contact with your skin, the shockwave is produced, travelling into your body. The depth and area of the shockwave can be altered with different shaped treatment heads.
No Prepaid Packages
I don’t offer prepaid “shockwave packages” because I prefer to give you only what you need—not what a bundle insists on. This keeps your care focused, flexible, and honest.
What Shockwave Do I Use?
When I first decided to invest in shockwave technology, I chose the highly regarded Chattanooga brand for its superior quality and effectiveness. Our state-of-the-art, second-generation portable device delivers higher intensity shockwave therapy compared to earlier models, ensuring optimal results.
With a variety of treatment applicators at our disposal, we can customise the most effective strategy to meet your unique needs and accelerate your recovery.
Shockwave Therapy FAQ
1) How does Shockwave Therapy work
Shockwave therapy works by stimulating your body’s natural healing process. Using our advanced Chattanooga device, we deliver controlled acoustic waves through the skin to precise depths. These waves create a targeted microtrauma—or controlled “injury”—in the affected tissue. This process triggers a localised inflammatory response. While inflammation often gets a bad reputation, it’s actually a vital part of recovery. It kick-starts a cascade of healing activity—a “chemical soup” of growth factors, increased blood flow, and tissue repair signals. In essence, shockwave therapy gives your body a second chance to heal a stubborn or slow-to-recover injury.
2) Can I take Ibuprofen or my prescription anti-inflammatory while having Shockwave Therapy?
I strongly recommend avoiding anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen during your course of shockwave therapy—unless specifically advised otherwise by me. Shockwave therapy works by triggering a controlled inflammatory response in the targeted tissue, which is essential for stimulating natural healing. In many chronic conditions, the original inflammation subsided without resolving the issue, leaving behind pain that isn’t necessarily inflammatory in nature. This is often why anti-inflammatory medications may not have helped in the past.
Taking anti-inflammatories during or shortly after shockwave therapy can suppress this healing response and reduce the treatment’s effectiveness. Your clinician will guide you on when it’s safe to resume medications if needed, ensuring the best possible outcome from your sessions.
3) Does Shockwave Therapy hurt?
In short—yes, to some degree. Most people feel some discomfort during treatment, but it’s manageable and short-lived. When shockwave therapy was first introduced, the trend was to use the highest possible intensity to provoke a strong inflammatory response. While that approach can still be effective, modern practice aims to strike a better balance between comfort and therapeutic benefit. If you feel nothing at all, the intensity may be too low to stimulate a response.
On the other hand, if it’s overly painful, I will adjust the settings to ensure it’s tolerable while still effective.
Generally, the more sensitive or irritated the area is, the less intensity you'll tolerate. Areas with less soft tissue—especially near bone—tend to feel sharper during treatment. I will always work with you to find the right level, ensuring the treatment is both effective and as comfortable as possible.
4) How many session of Shockwave Therapy will I need?
This is an excellent question—and the honest answer is: it depends. Healing is influenced by a range of individual factors, including your physiology, pain sensitivity, overall health, and even lifestyle. That’s why we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all answer. As a general guide, most patients benefit from 4 to 6 sessions but some may be less, others more. If you're improving after 3–4 sessions but not fully recovered, we may recommend a few more. However, if there's little or no change after 3 to 4 sessions, we’ll reassess whether shockwave therapy is right for your condition.
Before any treatment begins, I always carry out a thorough assessment. With over 25 years of experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, I'm careful to ensure that shockwave therapy is clinically appropriate, safe, and genuinely in your best interest. If I feel it’s not the right fit, I will explain why and suggest alternative treatment options. Shockwave therapy isn’t a miracle cure—but when used appropriately, it can be a powerful tool for resolving stubborn conditions.
5) Can I get Shockwave Therapy on a fresh injury?
In most cases, I do not recommend shockwave therapy for acute (recent) injuries—generally those less than six weeks old. While some clinics may offer it in the early stages, I base my approach on current clinical evidence and a strong commitment to using only well-justified treatments. Shockwave therapy works by triggering a controlled inflammatory response in tissue that has failed to heal properly. But in a fresh injury, your body is already going through its natural healing process—and interrupting that by re-injuring the tissue too soon could be counterproductive. Instead, I typically recommend more supportive, tissue-friendly treatments in the early phase of recovery. These can help optimise natural healing without unnecessary disruption. This will all be carefully discussed with you during your initial assessment to ensure you receive the most appropriate care for your stage of injury.
6) Can I use ice after Shockwave Therapy?
Yes, you can—but I generally recommend waiting around 24 hours before applying ice after shockwave therapy. Unlike anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen, ice produces a much milder anti-inflammatory effect. This means it’s less likely to interfere with the body’s healing response triggered by the treatment. Ice can also relieve pain through other mechanisms—such as numbing nerve endings and reducing local sensitivity—making it a helpful, drug-free way to manage discomfort. I will advise you on whether ice is appropriate for your condition and how best to use it for optimal recovery.
7 Can I book online?
Yes, you certainly can -
8) Are all of your Physiotherapists Chartered and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)?
Absolutely, I am registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health & Care Professions Council. You can verify apractitioner’s individual registration by searching on the governing body’s website.
Why does the shoulder commonly dislocate?
Because the shoulder’s socket is shallow, stability relies heavily on soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments). A strong force or awkward fall can push the ball (humeral head) out of the socket — a dislocation.
What are common structures involved in shoulder pain?
Common pain sources include the rotator cuff tendons, bursa (fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction), the AC joint, and the labrum. Pain may also be referred from the neck or upper back.
Why You Should Choose Chris Heywood Physio
The most important thing when seeking help is finding a practitioner you trust—someone who is honest, responsible, and clear about your diagnosis, the treatment you really need, and whether any follow-up appointments are necessary.
I’m not here to poach you from another therapist, but if you’re looking for a new physiotherapist in Northamptonshire or simply want a second opinion, here’s why many people choose to work with me (read my reviews):
Over 25 Years of Experience & Proven Expertise
With 25+ years of hands-on physiotherapy experience, I’ve built a trusted reputation for clinical excellence and evidence-based care. My approach combines proven techniques with the latest research, so you can feel confident you’re in safe, skilled hands.
Longer Appointments for Better Results
No two people—or injuries—are the same. That’s why I offer 60-minute one-to-one sessions, giving us time to:
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Thoroughly assess your condition
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Provide focused, effective treatment
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Explain what’s really going on in a clear, simple way
Your treatment plan is tailored specifically to you, aiming for long-term results, not just temporary relief.
Honest Advice & Support You Can Trust
I’ll always tell you what’s best for you—even if that means you need fewer sessions, not more. My goal is your recovery and wellbeing, not keeping you coming back unnecessarily. I have low overheads nowadays and I do not have pre-set management targets to maximise patient 'average session per condition' (yes it does happen commonly and I hate it with a passion - read my article here)
Helping You Take Control of Your Recovery
I believe the best outcomes happen when you understand your body. I’ll explain your condition clearly, give you practical tools for self-management, and step in with expert hands-on treatment when it’s genuinely needed.
Looking for a physiotherapist who values honesty, expertise, and your long-term health?
Book an appointment today and take the first step towards feeling better.
Contact Info
Alongside private practice, I also work on Mondays and Tuesdays as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) – Musculoskeletal in NHS Primary Care, assessing, diagnosing, and triaging patients without the need for a GP appointment.
You’re very welcome to call, but when I’m in clinic my phone is often on silent to ensure all my concentration is on my client at that time. For this reason, it’s usually quicker to reach me via the contact form or WhatsApp.
Whichever way you get in touch, I’ll respond as soon as possible — and during the week that’s almost always the same day.
Clinic Opening Hours
The Clinic is located at 2 Old Road, Scaldwell, Northants, NN6 9LA
Tel: 07576 473422 (Feel free to watapp)
** Please note that Home Visits, Online Sessions and Aquatic Therapy can often be arranged outside of normal clinical hours on request.**
Monday & Tuesday: Closed for FCP Work
Wednesday - Friday: 0915 - 1400
Saturday & Sunday: Closed