What is focused shockwave therapy?

Focused ESWT delivers short, high-pressure acoustic waves that converge at a set depth inside the body. That “focus” lets us treat deeper structures (e.g., tendons, bone interfaces, pelvic tissues) with accuracy, unlike broader radial pressure waves that disperse near the skin.

How it works (in plain English)

Your tissues sense these waves and kick off a repair cascade (mechanotransduction): better micro-blood flow (angiogenesis), modulation of pain signalling, and collagen remodelling. Net result: less pain, better function.

Why we chose focused (not just radial)

• Pinpoint depth control: ideal for deep targets (e.g., calcific shoulder, proximal hamstring, certain pelvic applications).
• Evidence base: high-quality trials support ESWT across common tendinopathies and plantar fasciitis; focused energy is frequently used in these studies.

Conditions we treat with fESWT

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

• Plantar fasciitis / heel pain — multiple RCTs & meta-analyses show clinically relevant pain reduction vs. sham.
• Achilles & patellar tendinopathy — growing evidence supports pain and function gains when combined with loading rehab.
• Calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy — improves pain/function and can aid deposit resolution in many patients.

We nearly always combine ESWT with a progressive exercise plan for durable results.

Pelvic floor & pelvic health (our spotlight)

• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in men: RCTs/meta-analyses show improved pain and NIH-CPSI scores after low-intensity ESWT applied perineally.
• Provoked vestibulodynia / dyspareunia in women: randomized, sham-controlled trials report reduced penetration pain and better sexual function.
• Bladder pain syndrome / interstitial cystitis: trials show pain and symptom improvement (primary composite outcomes vary).
• Stress urinary incontinence (research-grade use): early clinical data suggest symptom reductions after Li-ESWT protocols.
• Erectile dysfunction (vasculogenic): the European Association of Urology (2025) notes Li-SWT may be offered to well-informed patients with mild vasculogenic ED (often with/after PDE5 inhibitors). Effects are modest and protocol-dependent.

What a session looks like

• Assessment & targeting: we confirm the diagnosis and choose the exact treatment point(s).
• Treatment: gel + a handheld applicator delivering ~1,500–3,000 pulses; typical energy for MSK 0.10–0.25 mJ/mm²; pelvic protocols use lower-intensity parameters. Sessions take 10–15 minutes.
• Plan: usually 3–5 sessions (MSK) spaced 1–2 weeks apart. Pelvic protocols may use 6–12 sessions at low intensity.
• After: mild soreness/redness for 24–48h is common; keep moving and follow your rehab plan.

Safety & who should avoid ESWT

ESWT is considered safe with low complication rates. We avoid treatment over malignant tumours, active infections, lungs, and during pregnancy; we use caution with significant bleeding disorders or near pacemakers in the field. We screen carefully and tailor settings.