Shockwave Therapy St Albans | Radial Shockwave

What is Radial Shockwave Therapy?

Radial shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers controlled acoustic pressure waves into a targeted area of the body. It is most commonly used for persistent tendon and soft-tissue conditions that have failed to settle fully with rest, exercise or other conservative treatment.

Despite its name, shockwave therapy does not involve an electrical shock. The treatment head is placed against the skin and delivers a series of rapid mechanical pulses into the affected tissue.

At Back Pain Solutions, shockwave therapy is not provided as a standalone quick fix. We begin by reviewing your symptoms and medical history, examining the affected area and determining whether shockwave is appropriate for your particular condition.

Where suitable, your first treatment can normally be performed during the same appointment.

Image of a man Holding his lower back, which displays his spine glowing red indicating pain

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What Can Shockwave Therapy Help With?

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain beneath the heel or along the sole of the foot. It often feels worse during the first few steps in the morning, after prolonged sitting or when returning to activity. The condition can develop when the plantar fascia is repeatedly overloaded through walking, running, prolonged standing or changes in footwear. Symptoms may include sharp heel pain, tenderness and stiffness through the sole of the foot.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy affects the strong tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel. It can cause pain, stiffness, tenderness or thickening at the back of the ankle, particularly during walking, running or first thing in the morning. Symptoms may develop after changes in activity, training load or footwear, although they can also occur without an obvious trigger. If the tendon remains repeatedly overloaded, symptoms can become persistent and begin to limit exercise or everyday activity.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow causes pain around the outside of the elbow where the forearm tendons attach. Despite the name, it is not limited to tennis players and may affect people who perform repeated gripping, lifting, typing or manual tasks. Symptoms can include tenderness, reduced grip strength and pain when twisting the wrist, carrying bags or picking up objects. The condition may gradually worsen if the tendon continues to be irritated by repeated activity.

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow causes pain around the inside of the elbow where the wrist and forearm tendons attach. It may be aggravated by gripping, lifting, gym exercises, manual work or repetitive wrist movements. Some people also experience stiffness, tenderness or weakness when carrying objects or making a fist. Symptoms can persist when the affected tendons are repeatedly exposed to more strain than they can comfortably tolerate.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Rotator cuff tendinopathy affects the tendons that help control and stabilise the shoulder. It can cause pain when reaching overhead, lifting, dressing, exercising or lying on the affected side. Symptoms may develop gradually through repeated loading or follow a sudden increase in activity. In some cases, calcium deposits can form within one of the shoulder tendons and contribute to ongoing pain and restriction.

Patellar Tendinopathy

Patellar tendinopathy affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin and is sometimes known as jumper’s knee. It commonly causes pain just below the kneecap during running, jumping, squatting, climbing stairs or prolonged sitting. The condition often develops when the tendon is repeatedly exposed to more load than it can comfortably tolerate. Symptoms can gradually interfere with sport, exercise and everyday movements if the underlying loading problem is not addressed.

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain beneath the heel or along the sole of the foot. It often feels worse during the first few steps in the morning, after prolonged sitting or when returning to activity. The condition can develop when the plantar fascia is repeatedly overloaded through walking, running, prolonged standing or changes in footwear. Symptoms may include sharp heel pain, tenderness and stiffness through the sole of the foot.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy affects the strong tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel. It can cause pain, stiffness, tenderness or thickening at the back of the ankle, particularly during walking, running or first thing in the morning. Symptoms may develop after changes in activity, training load or footwear, although they can also occur without an obvious trigger. If the tendon remains repeatedly overloaded, symptoms can become persistent and begin to limit exercise or everyday activity.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow causes pain around the outside of the elbow where the forearm tendons attach. Despite the name, it is not limited to tennis players and may affect people who perform repeated gripping, lifting, typing or manual tasks. Symptoms can include tenderness, reduced grip strength and pain when twisting the wrist, carrying bags or picking up objects. The condition may gradually worsen if the tendon continues to be irritated by repeated activity.

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow causes pain around the inside of the elbow where the wrist and forearm tendons attach. It may be aggravated by gripping, lifting, gym exercises, manual work or repetitive wrist movements. Some people also experience stiffness, tenderness or weakness when carrying objects or making a fist. Symptoms can persist when the affected tendons are repeatedly exposed to more strain than they can comfortably tolerate.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Rotator cuff tendinopathy affects the tendons that help control and stabilise the shoulder. It can cause pain when reaching overhead, lifting, dressing, exercising or lying on the affected side. Symptoms may develop gradually through repeated loading or follow a sudden increase in activity. In some cases, calcium deposits can form within one of the shoulder tendons and contribute to ongoing pain and restriction.

Patellar Tendinopathy

Patellar tendinopathy affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin and is sometimes known as jumper’s knee. It commonly causes pain just below the kneecap during running, jumping, squatting, climbing stairs or prolonged sitting. The condition often develops when the tendon is repeatedly exposed to more load than it can comfortably tolerate. Symptoms can gradually interfere with sport, exercise and everyday movements if the underlying loading problem is not addressed.

How Does Radial Shockwave Therapy Work?

Radial Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that delivers acoustic waves to injured tissues in the body. This promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons, and other soft tissues.

A handheld treatment head is placed against the skin over the affected area. The device then delivers a controlled series of rapid pressure waves into the underlying tissue.

The acoustic waves stimulate metabolic activity and enhance blood circulation, thereby accelerating the healing process. Unlike other treatments, Shockwave Therapy directly targets the root cause of pain without the need for surgery or medication, making it a preferred choice for many patients and clinicians.

Treatment settings are adjusted according to the area being treated, your diagnosis and your individual tolerance.

Radial Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that delivers acoustic waves to injured tissues in the body. This promotes regeneration and reparative processes of the bones, tendons, and other soft tissues.

A handheld treatment head is placed against the skin over the affected area. The device then delivers a controlled series of rapid pressure waves into the underlying tissue.

The acoustic waves stimulate metabolic activity and enhance blood circulation, thereby accelerating the healing process. Unlike other treatments, Shockwave Therapy directly targets the root cause of pain without the need for surgery or medication, making it a preferred choice for many patients and clinicians.

Treatment settings are adjusted according to the area being treated, your diagnosis and your individual tolerance.

Your initial shockwave therapy appointment lasts approximately 45 minutes. During the appointment, we will:

Discuss your current symptoms and relevant medical history.
Review any previous diagnoses, scans or treatment you have received.
Examine the painful area and assess the surrounding joints and tissues.
Explain whether shockwave therapy appears appropriate.
Discuss the recommended treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Perform your first round of radial shockwave therapy where it is clinically appropriate and safe to do so.

Please bring details of any relevant medical conditions, medication, scans or previous treatment to your appointment.

If you have been struggling with persistent heel, Achilles, elbow, shoulder or knee tendon pain, book an initial consultation to establish whether radial shockwave therapy is appropriate for you. Where suitable, your first treatment will be completed during the same appointment.

Your initial shockwave therapy appointment lasts approximately 45 minutes. During the appointment, we will:

Discuss your current symptoms and relevant medical history.
Review any previous diagnoses, scans or treatment you have received.
Examine the painful area and assess the surrounding joints and tissues.
Explain whether shockwave therapy appears appropriate.
Discuss the recommended treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Perform your first round of radial shockwave therapy where it is clinically appropriate and safe to do so.

Please bring details of any relevant medical conditions, medication, scans or previous treatment to your appointment.

If you have been struggling with persistent heel, Achilles, elbow, shoulder or knee tendon pain, book an initial consultation to establish whether radial shockwave therapy is appropriate for you. Where suitable, your first treatment will be completed during the same appointment.

BOOK SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Why Choose Back Pain Solutions?

Don’t let the name fool you; while Back Pain Solutions was founded with a particular focus on spinal pain, we’ve since expanded to become a comprehensive musculoskeletal clinic. Today, we regularly help patients with conditions affecting the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, feet and ankles, alongside the back and neck.

The addition of radial shockwave therapy is another step in that journey, allowing us to offer an evidence-based treatment option for a range of persistent tendon conditions. Whatever the location of your pain, our aim is to combine the right diagnosis, the right treatment and the right rehabilitation to to give you the best possible chance of making a full and lasting recovery.

We believe shockwave therapy works best as part of a comprehensive management plan rather than as a standalone treatment. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual, taking into account your symptoms, lifestyle, goals and the demands you place on your body. Where appropriate, we’ll also provide advice on activity modification, strengthening exercises and long-term management to help maximise your recovery.

Conveniently located in London Colney, we regularly help patients from St Albans, Hatfield, Radlett, Shenley, Colney Heath and the surrounding Hertfordshire area.

Don’t let the name fool you; while Back Pain Solutions was founded with a particular focus on spinal pain, we’ve since expanded to become a comprehensive musculoskeletal clinic. Today, we regularly help patients with conditions affecting the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, feet and ankles, alongside the back and neck.

The addition of radial shockwave therapy is another step in that journey, allowing us to offer an evidence-based treatment option for a range of persistent tendon conditions. Whatever the location of your pain, our aim is to combine the right diagnosis, the right treatment and the right rehabilitation to to give you the best possible chance of making a full and lasting recovery.

We believe shockwave therapy works best as part of a comprehensive management plan rather than as a standalone treatment. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual, taking into account your symptoms, lifestyle, goals and the demands you place on your body. Where appropriate, we’ll also provide advice on activity modification, strengthening exercises and long-term management to help maximise your recovery.

Conveniently located in London Colney, we regularly help patients from St Albans, Hatfield, Radlett, Shenley, Colney Heath and the surrounding Hertfordshire area.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to see my doctor first?

No. You can book an initial shockwave therapy consultation directly without a GP referral.

However, where your symptoms require medical investigation or where shockwave therapy may not be appropriate, we may recommend contacting your GP or another healthcare professional before treatment begins.

Will I definitely receive shockwave during my first appointment?

Your appointment includes time for assessment and, where appropriate, your first shockwave treatment.

Treatment will not be performed if the assessment indicates that shockwave is unsuitable, unsafe or unlikely to help your particular condition.

Is shockwave therapy painful?

The treatment can feel uncomfortable, especially when applied directly over a sensitive tendon. The intensity is gradually adjusted and can be reduced at any point according to your tolerance.

How quickly will I notice an improvement?

Some people notice an improvement after the first few sessions, while others experience more gradual progress. Most treatment plans involve 3–6 sessions, depending on your condition and how you respond. We’ll discuss the recommended course during your initial consultation and review your progress throughout treatment.

Can I exercise after shockwave therapy?

This depends on the condition being treated and the type of activity you intend to perform.

You may be advised to temporarily modify strenuous or aggravating activity while continuing with specific rehabilitation exercises. You will receive individual advice during your appointment.

Is radial shockwave the same as focused shockwave?

They are related but different technologies.

Radial shockwave disperses pressure waves outward from the treatment head and is commonly used for superficial tendon and soft-tissue conditions. Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a more specific depth.

The appropriate form of treatment depends on the condition, location and clinical presentation.

Does shockwave therapy replace rehabilitation exercises?

Shockwave is generally most useful when combined with a suitable rehabilitation and loading programme. The treatment may help create an opportunity for progress, but the longer-term aim is to restore the capacity and confidence of the affected area.

Is shockwave therapy suitable for everyone?

Shockwave therapy is not suitable for every person or every type of pain.

It may not be appropriate in certain circumstances, including treatment directly over some areas of infection, impaired circulation, altered sensation or where particular medical conditions or medications increase the risk of complications.

Suitability will therefore be assessed individually in the first session.