Focused Shockwave Therapy Comes to The MOVE Clinic!
We are excited to announce the introduction of focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) at the MOVE Clinic in Banbury, bringing another advanced, non-invasive treatment option to patients across Oxfordshire and the surrounding area.
Focused shockwave therapy is a specialist treatment that uses precisely targeted acoustic energy to stimulate biological responses within tissues. Unlike conventional radial shockwave therapy, which delivers energy more superficially and across a broader area, focused shockwave can deliver energy at a specific depth and focal point.
This makes it particularly useful for certain musculoskeletal conditions where accurately targeting deeper or more localised pathology is important.
What is focused shockwave therapy?
Focused shockwave therapy delivers short bursts of acoustic energy into a targeted area of the body. The energy can be focused at a predetermined depth, allowing clinicians to treat tissues that may be difficult to reach effectively with more superficial treatments.
The aim is not simply to "break up" tissue. Depending on the condition and treatment parameters, shockwave therapy may influence local blood flow, cellular signalling, pain modulation and tissue remodelling.
At MOVE, focused shockwave is delivered following a detailed clinical assessment, with ultrasound imaging used where appropriate to identify the relevant structures and accurately guide treatment.
Which conditions can focused shockwave help?
Focused shockwave has particular relevance for a number of chronic musculoskeletal conditions, especially where symptoms have persisted despite rehabilitation.
Tendinopathy
Focused shockwave can be considered for a range of persistent soft tissue and bone problems, including:
Patellar tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy
Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathy / greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
Common extensor tendinopathy (tennis elbow)
Stress fractures
Bone healing
Chronic pain
Neuropathy
Trigger point / myofascial pain
The treatment is generally combined with progressive strengthening and load management rather than being used as a standalone treatment.
Plantar fasciopathy
Persistent plantar heel pain is one of the conditions for which shockwave therapy is commonly used. Focused treatment allows energy to be concentrated around the plantar fascia and its insertion at the heel.
For patients who have struggled with symptoms despite appropriate rehabilitation, shockwave can form part of a structured treatment programme.
Calcific tendinopathy
Focused shockwave can be particularly useful when treating calcific deposits within tendons, such as calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder.
The focused energy can be directed towards the calcific deposit, with the aim of stimulating fragmentation and resorption of the calcium and improving pain and function.
Where appropriate, focused shockwave may be used alongside ultrasound assessment and other interventions such as ultrasound-guided barbotage.
Bone and other deeper conditions
Because focused shockwave can deliver energy to a defined depth, it may also have applications in selected conditions involving deeper tissues and bone.
These treatments require careful diagnosis and patient selection, and are not appropriate for every cause of bone or joint pain.
Focused shockwave and men's health
One of the exciting areas of focused shockwave therapy is its application in men's sexual health, particularly erectile dysfunction (ED).
Low-intensity focused shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) has been investigated as a treatment for selected men with erectile dysfunction. The proposed mechanism is different from conventional shockwave treatment for tendinopathy.
Rather than targeting a painful tendon, low-intensity shockwaves are delivered to specific areas of the penis and surrounding erectile tissues. Research suggests that treatment may stimulate biological processes including angiogenesis, improved endothelial function and tissue remodelling, potentially improving penile blood flow.
This is particularly interesting because, unlike medications such as PDE5 inhibitors, the proposed aim of Li-ESWT is to address some of the underlying vascular mechanisms contributing to erectile dysfunction rather than simply providing a temporary pharmacological effect.
Who might benefit?
The evidence is currently most promising in men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, particularly those with mild-to-moderate disease.
However, it is important to emphasise that shockwave therapy is not a guaranteed cure for erectile dysfunction, and outcomes vary between individuals. Erectile dysfunction can have multiple causes, including vascular, neurological, hormonal, medication-related and psychological factors.
For this reason, patients should undergo an appropriate medical assessment before treatment.
Why choose MOVE Clinic?
At MOVE, we take an assessment-led approach rather than simply treating a diagnosis.
Our clinicians have extensive experience in musculoskeletal assessment, diagnostic ultrasound and image-guided interventions. Where appropriate, ultrasound can help identify the precise structure responsible for a patient's symptoms and ensure that treatment is targeted appropriately.
Focused shockwave can then form part of a broader treatment programme incorporating:
Detailed clinical assessment
Diagnostic ultrasound where appropriate
Load management
Progressive rehabilitation
Strength and conditioning
Shockwave therapy
Other image-guided interventions where clinically indicated
Our aim is to treat the person and the underlying problem, rather than simply treating the painful area.
Is focused shockwave right for you?
Focused shockwave is not suitable for every condition or every patient. The correct treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis, duration of symptoms, previous treatment and individual circumstances.
If you have persistent tendon pain, plantar heel pain, calcific tendinopathy or another condition that has not responded adequately to conventional rehabilitation, focused shockwave may be worth considering.
Similarly, men experiencing erectile dysfunction may benefit from an assessment to determine whether low-intensity focused shockwave is an appropriate treatment option.
Focused shockwave therapy is now available at MOVE Clinic Banbury.
If you would like to find out whether focused shockwave therapy could be appropriate for your condition, contact the MOVE Clinic team to arrange an assessment.