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Sports injury · Focal shockwave · Whitechapel, London

Shockwave Therapy for Sports Injuries

Assessment and focal shockwave therapy for persistent sports injuries — principally tendon problems that have not settled with rehabilitation.

Delivered byDr Kishore Bahl, Specialist Urologist
ConsultationAssessment before any treatment
Session timeTypically 15–30 min
DowntimeNone
Back to MusculoskeletalAll Services

Educational information — not a substitute for clinical assessment

This page describes sports injuries in general terms to help you decide whether an assessment may be useful. It is not a diagnosis and does not promise a particular result. Suitability, the number of sessions and whether treatment is appropriate at all are decided at consultation. Outcomes vary between individuals and treatment is not suitable for everyone.

Why people come to us about this.

Most sports injuries settle with sensible management. The ones that do not are usually tendon problems, and those are where shockwave earns its place — after the diagnosis has been confirmed, not before.

What this condition actually is.

Shockwave is used in sports medicine for chronic tendinopathy that has persisted despite appropriate rehabilitation.

Common presentations include Achilles and patellar tendinopathy in runners, tennis and golfer's elbow, plantar heel pain and gluteal tendinopathy.

It is not appropriate for acute injury, fractures, or where the diagnosis is uncertain. Assessment comes first.

What you might be noticing.

  • Pain at a tendon persisting more than three months despite rehabilitation
  • Pain that warms up during activity then returns afterwards
  • Morning stiffness at the affected tendon
  • Loss of performance or inability to return to previous training load
  • Localised tenderness
  • Symptoms recurring each time training is increased

What tends to cause it.

  • Training load increased faster than the tendon could adapt
  • Inadequate recovery between sessions
  • Biomechanical factors — technique, footwear, running surface
  • Returning to sport before a previous injury had fully rehabilitated
  • Reduced tissue tolerance with age or after illness
  • Strength deficits in supporting muscle groups

How treatment helps.

Focal shockwave stimulates the tendon's repair response and reduces local pain sensitivity.

Its depth allows treatment of deeper tendons such as the gluteal tendons and proximal hamstring.

It is used as a course, running alongside a progressive loading programme rather than replacing it.

It does not shorten the timeline for acute injury and is not used in that setting.

Why we use focal shockwave.

We use focal shockwave because it delivers energy to a defined depth — up to approximately 12 cm — allowing accurate treatment of deeper structures. Radial devices spread energy outwards from the applicator and lose intensity quickly, which limits them to more superficial targets.

Why focal reaches what radial cannot.

Pulses travel from the probe and converge on a target at depth. The dashed line marks where radial devices stop.

036912 cm Radial device range ► stops here Focal probe Target SkinFat layerMuscleDeepmuscle
Focal shockwave · depth of penetration

What treatment can offer.

Non-invasive, allowing continued modified trai

Non-invasive, allowing continued modified training in most cases

Drug-free, which matters for athletes subject

Drug-free, which matters for athletes subject to testing

No downtime after sessions

No downtime after sessions

Can treat deeper tendons that radial devices c

Can treat deeper tendons that radial devices cannot reach effectively

Combines with rehabilitation rather than compe

Combines with rehabilitation rather than competing with it

What to expect during treatment.

  1. Step 1

    Assessment confirming the diagnosis, including your training history and what has already been tried.

  2. Step 2

    Imaging where the diagnosis is unclear or where something else needs excluding.

  3. Step 3

    Discussion of load management alongside any treatment.

  4. Step 4

    Sessions of 15 to 30 minutes, with mild soreness for a day or two afterwards.

  5. Step 5

    A course of treatment with review, and a clear plan for return to full training.

Questions people usually ask.

Can I train during treatment?

Usually yes, with modification. Complete rest is rarely correct for tendon problems.

Is it allowed in competition?

Shockwave is a physical treatment, not a substance, and is drug-free. Check your governing body's rules if you compete under anti-doping regulations.

How soon can I return to sport?

That depends on the injury and your rehabilitation, not on the shockwave sessions themselves. It is planned with you.

Is it used for acute injuries?

No. Shockwave is for persistent problems, not fresh injuries.

What if it is not a tendon problem?

Then shockwave is not the treatment, and we will say so and investigate properly.

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Shockwave Therapy London

The main shockwave therapy page.

Learn more →

Physiotherapy

Our general service page for this area.

Learn more →

Orthopaedic

Our general service page for this area.

Learn more →

Before you book.

Referral

No GP referral needed. You can book directly.

First appointment

An assessment with Dr Kishore Bahl, Specialist Urologist. Treatment follows only if the assessment supports it.

Where

Whitechapel, East London. Whitechapel station is on the Elizabeth line, District, Hammersmith & City and Overground.

Fees

Published in full on our price list.

Privacy

Consultations are private and confidential. You are entitled to a chaperone at any appointment, at no cost.

Speak to a specialist.

Speak to Dr Kishore Bahl, Specialist Urologist, about whether this treatment is appropriate for you.

Book a consultation Call 020 7916 0029 See full pricing on our price list
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