By Megan Miller-Zutshi, Clincal Director.
If you’re based in Thornbury or the surrounding villages and have been living with stubborn shoulder stiffness, muscle aches, or an old sprain that just won’t quite settle, you might be surprised by how effective Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSW) can be — not just for tendon pain, but for a growing range of other conditions.
At The Thornbury Clinic, we use state-of-the-art Radial Shockwave Therapy to treat a variety of injuries, especially those that have stopped improving with traditional physiotherapy or rest.
What is Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSW)?
Radial Shockwave Therapy uses acoustic pressure waves delivered through the skin into the underlying tissues. These waves help:
- Increase local blood flow
- Stimulate the body’s natural healing processes
- Break down scar tissue or calcification
- Reduce chronic pain and inflammation
It’s completely non-invasive, requires no medication or injections, and works well for both long-term and slow-healing injuries.
Exciting New Applications for Radial Shockwave Therapy
While RSW has been widely recognised for treating conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy, recent studies have shown its benefits for several other injury types. Here’s how it’s expanding its reach — and why it matters to our patients in Thornbury and South Gloucestershire.
1. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
If your shoulder feels stiff, painful, or “frozen” and you’ve found exercises or physiotherapy slow to help, shockwave therapy may speed up recovery.
Recent clinical studies have shown that RSW can improve pain, shoulder range of motion, and function in people with frozen shoulder when added to standard physiotherapy.
In simple terms, RSW helps reduce stiffness and pain while encouraging mobility — helping patients return to everyday tasks like reaching overhead, dressing, and sleeping comfortably.
2. Muscle Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain
For those persistent muscle “knots” in the neck, shoulders, or upper back, Radial Shockwave Therapy is showing promising results.
Research has demonstrated that shockwave therapy can reduce pain and sensitivity in trigger points, improve blood flow to the affected area, and restore normal muscle tone.
This makes it particularly useful for people with desk-related tension, repetitive strain, or postural pain — something we see frequently in our Thornbury and Yate patients.
3. Ligament Sprains & Soft-Tissue Injuries
Ligament sprains (for example, ankle or knee sprains) and muscle strains can sometimes linger longer than expected.
Radial Shockwave Therapy has been found to enhance tissue repair, reduce pain, and encourage a more complete healing response, especially when recovery has plateaued after weeks of rehab.
Although research is still developing, clinical experience supports its use as part of a broader treatment plan for chronic or recurrent sprains.
Why Choose The Thornbury Clinic for Shockwave Therapy?
At The Thornbury Clinic, our aim is simple — to help you recover faster, move better, and get back to doing what you love.
When you choose us for shockwave therapy, you’ll benefit from:
- Advanced technology: We use the latest radial shockwave systems for safe, effective treatment.
- Local convenience: Easily accessible for Thornbury, Alveston, Olveston, Bradley Stoke, Yate, Wotton-under-Edge, and surrounding villages.
- Personalised care: Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific injury, activity level, and goals.
- Experienced clinicians: Our team has extensive training in musculoskeletal and sports injury rehabilitation.
What to Expect from Treatment
- Assessment: We start by understanding your injury and ensuring RSW is suitable for you.
- Treatment: The therapist applies the probe to the affected area for a few minutes — you’ll feel rhythmic pulses, which may cause mild discomfort but are well tolerated.
- Aftercare: You can usually return to normal activity straight away. Most people need between 3 and 6 sessions to achieve the best results.
- Follow-up: We track your progress using pain, movement, and strength measures to ensure consistent improvement.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?
If you’ve been dealing with:
- Persistent shoulder stiffness or frozen shoulder
- Muscle knots or trigger points that don’t ease
- Old ligament sprains or slow-to-heal strains
…then Radial Shockwave Therapy may be the next step in your recovery.
It’s quick, safe, and clinically backed — and it’s available right here in Thornbury.
Book Your Consultation Today
If you’re in Thornbury or the surrounding South Gloucestershire area and think shockwave therapy could help, get in touch with our friendly team today on 01454 838366 or CLICK HERE to book now.
The Thornbury Clinic
Serving Thornbury, Alveston, Olveston, Bradley Stoke, Yate, Wotton-under-Edge & Chipping Sodbury