Regenerative & Sports Medicine

Shockwave Therapy in London — fast, non-surgical pain relief

A non-invasive, NICE-recognised treatment that uses acoustic energy waves to trigger your body's own healing response — for joint, tendon and muscle pain that hasn't shifted with rest, physiotherapy or time.

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Clinically reviewed by the Levitas Regenerative & Sports Medicine team Last updated September 2026 Regulated by the Care Quality Commission

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) passes acoustic shockwaves through the skin to stimulate healing in damaged tendons, muscles and joints. It is a NICE-recognised, non-surgical, drug-free option for chronic tendinopathies that have not responded to rest, physiotherapy or other conservative treatment.

Recognised in NICE interventional procedures guidance for extracorporeal shockwave therapy for musculoskeletal conditions.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

ESWT helps in two distinct ways — one gives short-term relief, the other drives longer-term tissue repair.

Immediate effect

Desensitising nerve endings

The shockwaves reduce the sensitivity of local nerve endings, which is why many patients notice some pain relief during or shortly after their first session.

Longer-term effect

Restarting the healing response

The waves create a controlled, mild inflammatory reaction in the tissue. This increases blood flow and metabolism at the site, "restarting" a tendon's stalled healing process.

Focal & Radial Shockwave, Combined

Most clinics offer one mode of shockwave delivery. At Levitas, we assess whether combining both is appropriate for your condition.

Focal shockwave

High-energy waves focused precisely on deep tissue.

Targets deep tissue and specific injury sites
Delivers energy with precision
Suited to chronic tendon injuries and calcifications

Radial shockwave

Lower-energy waves dispersed over a broader area.

Covers larger, more superficial areas
Improves local circulation and tissue mobility
Suited to muscle tightness and broader pain patterns

Where clinically appropriate, we may use focal and radial shockwave within the same treatment plan — one addressing the deep injury site, the other the surrounding tissue. Your clinician will explain which approach, or combination, fits your specific diagnosis at assessment.

Conditions Shockwave Therapy Can Treat

ESWT is most established for the following chronic, treatment-resistant conditions.

Calcific shoulder tendinitis

Tennis & golfer's elbow

Greater trochanteric pain (hip)

Patellar tendinopathy (knee)

Osgood-Schlatter disease

Achilles tendinopathy

Plantar fasciitis

Myofascial neck & back pain

Hamstring tendinopathy

Trigger finger & De Quervain's

Is Shockwave Therapy Right For You?

A short clinical assessment confirms suitability before any treatment begins.

Often suitable if you have

Tendon or joint pain lasting more than 6 weeks
A condition that hasn't improved with rest or physiotherapy
A diagnosis confirmed by clinical assessment or imaging
No recent steroid injection to the same site

Not suitable if you

Are pregnant, or under 18 years old
Have a clotting disorder, or take anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication
Have an active infection at the treatment site
Had a steroid injection there within the last 12 weeks
Have a history of tendon or ligament rupture at the site
Have a cardiac pacemaker or implanted device near the treatment area

What To Expect

From your first assessment through to full recovery.

Before treatment

Preparing for your session

Stop anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. ibuprofen) 2 weeks before your first session and throughout the course
Eat and drink normally beforehand
Wear or bring clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area

During treatment

What happens in clinic

Each session takes around 10–20 minutes
You'll feel a pulsing sensation as energy is applied — intensity is adjusted to your comfort
No anaesthetic or sedation is required

After treatment

Recovery & aftercare

Return to normal daily activity immediately; avoid strenuous use of the area for 24 hours
Mild soreness, redness or swelling for 2–3 days is common and usually settles on its own
Avoid anti-inflammatories and ice on the treated area, as both can blunt the healing response

Assessment

We confirm your condition is suitable for shockwave therapy, and rule out contraindications.

Treatment

Focal and/or radial shockwaves are applied directly to the affected area.

Stimulation

The waves increase blood flow and activate tissue repair at the site.

Healing

Your body's natural repair process continues between sessions.

Recovery

Reduced pain, improved mobility and, for many patients, a lasting result.

Results, Evidence & How It Compares

Success rates & timeline

Published research reports success rates ranging from roughly 50% to 85%, depending on the condition, how long it has been present, and the treatment protocol used. Many patients notice initial improvement after 1–2 sessions, with fuller results typically developing over 3–6 weeks — and, for some chronic conditions, up to 12 weeks.

When results hold, improvement is often long-lasting, because the treatment aims to resolve the underlying tissue problem rather than mask symptoms.

Shockwave vs. injections vs. surgery

Vs. steroid injections: steroids reduce inflammation for temporary relief; shockwave therapy aims to stimulate the tissue's own repair, which can offer more durable change but works more gradually.

Vs. surgery: ESWT is commonly tried as a non-invasive option before surgery is considered, particularly for chronic tendon conditions that haven't responded to rest or physiotherapy. Your clinician will advise if surgical referral is more appropriate for your case.

Shockwave Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic energy waves passed through the skin to stimulate healing in damaged tendons, muscles and other soft tissue. It's recognised by NICE as a safe intervention for a number of chronic tendinopathies.

How many sessions of shockwave therapy do I need?

Most patients need 3 to 6 sessions, usually spaced around a week apart. The exact number depends on the condition, how long symptoms have been present, and how the tissue responds to early sessions.

Does shockwave therapy hurt?

It causes a pulsing sensation that can feel uncomfortable, particularly over sensitive areas, but it isn't typically severely painful, and any discomfort stops as soon as treatment ends. Energy levels are adjusted to your tolerance.

How long does it take to see results?

Some patients notice an early reduction in pain within 1–2 sessions, with more significant improvement typically reported over 3–6 weeks as tissue repair continues. Full benefit can take up to 12 weeks in some chronic cases.

What is the success rate of shockwave therapy?

Published studies report success rates ranging from around 50% to 85%, depending on the condition treated, its duration, and the protocol used. Chronic plantar fasciitis and calcific shoulder tendinitis tend to respond particularly well.

Who should not have shockwave therapy?

It isn't suitable for patients who are pregnant, under 18, have a clotting disorder, take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, have an active infection at the site, had a steroid injection there in the last 12 weeks, or have a history of tendon or ligament rupture at the site.

Is shockwave therapy better than a steroid injection or surgery?

They work differently, so "better" depends on the case: steroids suppress inflammation for temporary relief, while shockwave aims to stimulate longer-term tissue repair. It's often tried as a non-surgical option before considering surgery, particularly for chronic tendon problems unresolved by rest or physiotherapy.

How much does shockwave therapy cost in London?

Cost depends on the area treated and the number of sessions your assessment recommends. See our current price list or contact us for a personalised quote.

Where can I get shockwave therapy in London or Surrey?

Levitas Clinic offers shockwave therapy at its clinics in Mayfair, London and Guildford, Surrey — serving patients across Kensington, Chelsea, Marylebone, Belgravia and the surrounding Surrey area.