Shockwave Therapy in Lisburn

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Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy at Gav Noble Physiotherapy in Lisburn

Shockwave therapy is a specialist treatment used for certain tendon, soft tissue and long-standing pain conditions. It uses acoustic sound waves applied directly to the painful area to help stimulate a healing response in tissues that may have become slow to recover.

At Gav Noble Physiotherapy, shockwave therapy is not used as a stand-alone “quick fix”. It is used alongside a clear physiotherapy assessment, exercise rehabilitation and advice, so we can treat both the painful tissue and the reasons the problem may have developed in the first place.

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What We Help With

What Conditions Can Shockwave Therapy Help?

Shockwave therapy may be considered for conditions such as:

  • Plantar fasciitis / heel pain
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Gluteal tendinopathy
  • Calcific shoulder tendinopathy
  • Some persistent tendon and soft tissue pain conditions

NICE has published guidance on shockwave therapy for conditions including plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. NICE describes the procedure as raising no major safety concerns, but is clear that current evidence on how effective it is remains inconsistent. That's exactly why we talk you through the realistic likelihood of it helping before we recommend it, rather than presenting it as a guaranteed fix. A 2023 systematic review of shockwave therapy for tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis reached a similar conclusion: it can help, but results vary by condition and by patient, which is why it's paired with a loading programme rather than used in isolation.

What It Involves

How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?

Many tendon problems are not simply “inflammation”. In longer-lasting cases, the tendon or soft tissue can become irritated, sensitive and less able to tolerate normal load.

Shockwave therapy helps by:

  • Stimulating local tissue healing
  • Encouraging blood flow and cellular activity
  • Reducing pain sensitivity in the treated area
  • Helping stubborn tendon problems respond better to rehabilitation

A systematic review published in British Medical Bulletin reported evidence supporting shockwave therapy for some soft tissue conditions, including plantar fasciitis and calcific tendinitis.

Your Appointment

What Happens During Treatment?

  1. Your physiotherapist first assesses your symptoms, movement, strength and activity levels to confirm shockwave is a suitable option. If it is, gel is applied to the skin and the device is placed over the painful area. Treatment usually takes only a few minutes.

  2. It can feel uncomfortable, particularly at higher intensities, but most people tolerate it well, and intensity can be adjusted to your comfort. For best results, shockwave is combined with a progressive loading programme, since tendons need the right amount of strengthening to become genuinely more resilient, not just less painful in the short term.

Why Us

Why Choose Gav Noble Physiotherapy?

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Our approach is to find the cause of the problem, not just chase the pain. Gavin Noble has worked in private healthcare for over 25 years, treating pain, stiffness and movement problems through physiotherapy, exercise-based rehabilitation and hands-on treatment.

Common Questions

Shockwave Therapy Questions

Is shockwave therapy painful?

It can feel uncomfortable, but treatment intensity can be adjusted.

How many sessions will I need?

Many people need a short course of treatment, often alongside exercises. Your plan will depend on your assessment.

Is shockwave therapy suitable for everyone?

No. We will screen you first to make sure it is appropriate and safe.

Do I still need exercises?

Usually, yes. Shockwave may help stimulate healing, but strengthening helps the tissue cope better long term.

Watch

Shockwave Therapy — Exercises and Advice

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