Shock wave therapy in London at L OSTEO
Shock wave therapy is a non invasive treatment that uses controlled acoustic waves to stimulate healing in stubborn tendon and soft tissue problems. At L OSTEO, we use shock wave therapy as part of a structured rehabilitation plan for patients who have not fully responded to manual therapy and exercise alone.
It is most often used for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff and shoulder tendinopathies, tennis elbow and other chronic tendon related pains.
Understanding shock wave therapy
When a tendon or soft tissue has been painful for many months, the tissue often becomes overloaded and irritated but does not fully repair. Blood supply may be reduced, the tendon structure may change and the body can remain stuck in a low grade inflammatory state. This is why pain continues even after rest, stretching or simple treatment.
Shock wave therapy delivers short bursts of high pressure sound waves into the painful area. These waves create controlled mechanical stress inside the tissue. The aim is to restart a healing response and improve the way the tissue receives blood, nutrients and signals from the nervous system. PMC
Research suggests that shock wave therapy can:
- Increase local blood flow and cell activity in the tendon
- Promote the breakdown of small calcifications in some shoulder and heel conditions
- Reduce the sensitivity of local pain receptors
- Support tissue remodelling when combined with progressive loading and exercise PMC+1
At L OSTEO, shock wave therapy is never used in isolation. It is integrated with clear diagnosis, manual treatment when appropriate and a tailored rehabilitation plan. Current clinical guidelines and systematic reviews indicate that shock wave therapy can be helpful for several stubborn musculoskeletal conditions, especially when symptoms have lasted longer than three to six months and other conservative treatments have not been enough.
These include:
- Plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Rotator cuff and shoulder tendinopathies, including some calcific tendinopathies
- Tennis elbow and other lateral elbow tendinopathies
- Patellar tendinopathy in the knee
- Some hip and pelvic tendinopathies
National guidance in the United Kingdom recognises the use of shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy when standard care has not worked, with no major safety concerns when it is delivered in an appropriate clinical setting. During your assessment, we will confirm whether your condition and medical history make you a suitable candidate for this treatment.
How shock wave therapy helps in your rehabilitation
Our focus is not just to apply a machine to a painful spot. The goal is to support real tissue healing and better movement so that you can return to sport and daily life with confidence.
During your rehabilitation with shock wave therapy we will:
- Target the exact tissue involved After a full clinical assessment, we identify the specific tendon or soft tissue that is driving your pain, such as the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon or rotator cuff tendon.
- Use evidence based dosing and treatment plans Courses of care often involve one session per week for three to six weeks, depending on the condition and your response, which is in line with many clinical protocols and hospital guidelines.
- Stimulate healing in stubborn tissues Repeated shock wave sessions help to trigger controlled micro trauma in the affected tissue. This encourages the body to restart a healing cascade, improve blood flow and remodel disorganised tendon fibres, which is especially important in chronic tendinopathies. PMC+1
- Combine treatment with tailored exercise rehabilitation Shock wave therapy is more effective when combined with a structured exercise programme. You will receive a tailored plan to gradually load the tendon and surrounding muscles in a safe and progressive way. This helps muscles, joints, nerves and tendons work together again, restores strength and improves the way you move under real life demands.
- Address the reasons your tissue was overloaded in the first place We look at your biomechanics, posture, training volume, footwear, work demands and recovery habits. Treatment is adjusted for runners, gym users, racket sports, field sports or general daily activities so that the tissue is protected while it heals and strengthened as it recovers.
Recent reviews and trials show that shock wave therapy can reduce pain and improve function in chronic plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, lateral elbow pain and several other tendinopathies, particularly when previous conservative approaches have not been enough.
What to expect during treatment
- A detailed assessment to confirm your diagnosis and check that shock wave therapy is appropriate for you
- Clear explanation of the benefits, limitations and possible side effects, such as temporary soreness or redness
- Application of the shock wave device over the affected area, usually lasting around ten to fifteen minutes
- A progressive rehabilitation plan including specific exercises and activity guidelines
- Review of your response over several weeks and adjustment of the plan based on your progress stgeorges.nhs.uk+1
For many patients, improvement builds gradually over several weeks as the tissue responds to both the shock wave stimulation and the structured exercises.
Our aim is to use this technology in a responsible, clinically justified way as one tool among many, always within a complete rehabilitation plan.
Patients Testimonials
Healing is a team effort. Your wins become our proudest moments.
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From +80 Reviews
Hachim is super professional and knowledgeable. Thank you for the great session.
Fantastic session and instant relief of back and neck pain. Couldn't recommend more.
I've been a customer for over 5 years, and the only thing I can say is that Hachim is an amazing professional that understands to perfection his job, never a disappointment, he keeps me going… thanks a lot Hachim 🙏
Etienne is great! Not only he fixes but he also explains all.
Fantastic session with Etienne. Really helped me with my tense shoulder and explained all the exercises very well. Will definitely be back and can highly recommend L’Osteo.
Zahrah was very professional and friendly, she took the time to explain everything and we even had a lovely conversation about life 😊. Would highly recommend.
I can honestly say Zhara is one of the kindest, most dedicated, and skilled health professionals I’ve ever met. She often kindly extended sessions at no extra cost to make sure I got the full benefit. Zahrah also took time to research genuine options for other health concerns. She’s truly outstanding — I can’t recommend her enough.
Ed was really professional and friendly and best of all very good. I felt so much better and relaxed after seeing him. My pain was massively decreased. I recommend him very highly.
Hachim's treatments are transformatory. Through his help, I have experienced a meaningful reduction in pain, increased mobility and have been able to gradually return to running over the last few weeks of treatment. I have absolute trust in his approach and would highly recommend his practice.
Excellent treatment session at L’OSTEO. Etienne really took the time to explain what’s going on in a way that was easy to understand. Super knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what he does. What I really liked is that the focus is on finding long-term solutions, not just managing symptoms. You feel like you’re in good hands, my back felt much better afterwards. Highly recommend!
I had a great experience with Étienne. He took the time to thoroughly explain his treatment approach, which immediately put me at ease. What really stood out was his introduction to breath work, something I hadn’t experienced before or considered doing. I left feeling better, more informed, and with tools I can actually use moving forward. Highly recommend!!
After several sessions with Zahrah, I can honestly say she is one of the kindest, most dedicated, and skilled health professionals I’ve ever met. She offered a wealth of advice, encouragement, treatment suggestions, and follow-up emails to support me with my chronic neck pain. She’s truly outstanding — I can’t recommend her enough.
I visited Dr. Hachim Boutouil for lower back pain from sports, and I’m so glad I did. He listened carefully, was very gentle, and treated me with needles that worked incredibly well. My pain is now completely gone. I highly recommend him!
Who knew that I'd been holding my breath all this time? Etienne at L'osteo is the answer, and he introduced me to somatic breathing. Following holistic assessment I have gone on to have acupuncture, cupping and massage to redress the balance of body and mind. You are safe in his hands. Thank you Etienne.
PRICING PLANS
Simple, transparent pricing
for your treatment
Back pain is treated with standard osteopathy sessions at L’OSTEO.
Prices are the same as our general osteopathy treatments.
START WITH THIS
Initial Consultation + Treatment
£95(45min.)
£130(60min.)
- Full assessment of your back pain, posture and medical history
- Clear explanation of what is happening and why it hurts
- First hands on treatment and a personalised plan to move forward
30min. up to 1 hour
Follow-Up Treatment
£130(60min.)
£95(45min.)
£80(30min.)
- Review of your progress since the last session
- Targeted hands on treatment to keep reducing pain and stiffness
- Updated exercises and advice tailored to your daily routine
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FAQ
Your Questions Answered
Everything you need to know about osteopathy and L’OSTEO.
What is Osteopathy ?
Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints. Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together. (NHS)
What conditions can osteopathy treat?
Osteopathy can help with back and neck pain, joint and muscle injuries, sciatica, headaches, sports injuries, postural issues and general musculoskeletal pain. It focuses on restoring healthy movement so your body can function at its best.
Can people of all ages use osteopathy?
Yes. Osteopathy is suitable for all ages including children, teenagers, adults, athletes and older individuals. Treatment is always adapted to each patient’s needs and health profile.
How long does an osteopathy treatment session last?
Initial consultations usually last 45 to 60 minutes and include assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Follow up sessions are 30 to 60 minutes depending on your condition and treatment plan.
Is osteopathy covered by health insurance or the NHS in the UK?
Many private health insurers cover osteopathy depending on your policy. Osteopathy is not routinely available on the NHS so most patients see us privately. We can provide invoices for insurance reimbursement.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with osteopathy?
Osteopathy is generally safe. Some patients may experience mild soreness, fatigue or temporary discomfort for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Serious side effects are extremely rare. If you experience any severe side effects, please contact your doctor or seek appropriate medical help.
Can osteopathy be used alongside other medical treatments?
Yes. Osteopathy is fully integrated within the medical system and we work in close partnership with GPs and specialist doctors. We focus on our scope of practice and collaborate with other healthcare professionals whenever needed to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
How many osteopathy sessions will I need to see results?
This depends on the patient and the diagnosis. Most people notice an improvement between three to five sessions, although some very mild conditions may resolve after just one visit.