Assessment
Your physiotherapist discusses your symptoms, goals, medical history and lifestyle, then completes a thorough assessment. Initial appointments are typically 45 to 60 minutes, so there is time to do it properly.
Tendinopathy Specialist
Shockwave Therapy in London
Focused, non-invasive treatment that finally shifts a stubborn tendon problem: using the clinical-grade Lika Vario Pro under HCPC physiotherapy oversight, we treat chronic Achilles, patellar, plantar fascia, elbow and shoulder tendinopathies, with about 80 percent of patients reporting meaningful pain relief after three or four short sessions, paired with a loading plan that rebuilds the tendon.
What happens at your first physio appointment?
Initial appointments are typically 45 to 60 minutes. You leave with a clear explanation of your condition, treatment recommendations, a report explaining it in simple language, and a personalised rehabilitation plan.
Follow-ups run 30 to 45 minutes, and we reassess at every visit rather than selling you a block of sessions up front.
Shockwave therapy can help to:
Break the cycle of a stubborn tendinopathy
For a tendon problem that has not shifted in months, focused shockwave stimulates blood flow and tissue remodelling so healing finally gets moving again.
Reduce persistent tendon pain
About 80 percent of patients report meaningful pain relief after three or four short sessions, so a long-running Achilles, patellar or elbow problem starts to feel manageable.
Get back to loading and training
Shockwave opens the biological window; the loading plan does the rebuilding, so you return to running, lifting or sport on a tendon that can take the demand.
Treat where rest and stretching have failed
Chronic tendinopathies rarely respond to rest alone; shockwave targets the actual tissue change behind the pain when the usual measures have stalled.
Have it delivered with proper oversight
Every course runs under HCPC-registered physiotherapy, screened against a clear contraindication list and built into your wider rehab plan rather than offered on its own.
I first started using Tom last year to help relieve back pain, he has been extremely helpful and now he's supporting me with sprint and fitness training, whilst helping with any minor injuries. Can't recommend him and his team more highly.
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I went to Tom with a shoulder injury that had not improved for several months. Tom is very knowledgeable and quickly identified the issue and put me on a course of exercises that, in conjunction with a couple more sessions, steadily resolved the problem. I would highly recommend him.
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Parinita was brilliant! Identified my knee problem immediately, used a range of equipment and exercises not only to strengthen my knee, but to maintain it and improve my running long-term.
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Excellent service! Sanchez is a true professional who helped me heal a previous injury. Highly recommend!
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Shockwave therapy fees and insurance
Book directly online through Splose. Self-funded patients need no GP referral; if you are claiming through insurance, obtain prior authorisation before booking.
- Physiotherapy with Tom Astley: £85 initial consultation, £77 follow-up
- Sports and dance therapy with Laura Fornoni: £75 initial consultation, £70 follow-up
- Shockwave therapy: £230 for the initial consultation plus 3 sessions, then £80 per further treatment
- Running gait and performance reviews: £80 Base, £135 Intermediate, £185 Expert
- Recognised by Bupa, Cigna, Vitality, WPA and Simply Health
How physiotherapy works
from assessment to return to sport
Book today to get an assessment, advice, a report and a rehabilitation plan. We combine hands-on treatment with gym-based rehab to get you well, today, and we reassess at every visit.
Advice and report
A clear explanation of your condition and a report explaining it in simple language, alongside hands-on treatment: manual therapy, soft tissue techniques and joint mobilisation where they help.
Rehabilitation plan
Exercise rehabilitation tailored to your goals and condition, delivered through Track Rehab. Our clinics sit inside gym facilities, so the plan has the equipment and technology it actually needs.
Return
Structured programmes and return-to-sport testing before you go back, so you return safely and confidently. The goal is a level of activity beyond your pre-injury status, not just less pain.
A thorough, honest, and understandable explanation. Then the best treatment to get you back to a level of activity beyond your pre-injury status. If we can't get you better, we will recommend the world's leading healthcare professionals in London that can.
- Founded in 2015 by Tom Astley: 7 clinicians working across 3 clinics in Crouch End, Marylebone and Henley-on-Thames.
- Our team has successfully worked with local, national and international athletes at 6 major multi-sport events, from London 2012 to Gold Coast 2018, and we bring that expertise to everyone who enters our service.
- Rated 4.9 from 88 Google reviews; recognised by 5 major UK insurers, and self-funded patients book online with no GP referral.
What our physiotherapists treat
- Manual therapy and joint mobilisation
- Exercise rehabilitation through Track Rehab
- Dry needling for stubborn trigger points
- Shockwave therapy for chronic tendinopathy
- Sensor-based running gait analysis
- Sports massage, scar work and soft tissue therapy
- Women's health, Mummy MOT and postnatal rehabilitation
- Post-operative and ACL rehabilitation
- Return-to-sport testing
3 Locations
Shockwave therapy across our 3 London and Henley clinics
- Crouch End Park Road Pools & Fitness, London N8 8JN View location →
- Henley-on-Thames Badgemore Park Golf Club, Henley-on-Thames RG9 4NR View location →
- Marylebone 1 Orchard Street, London W1H 6HJ View location →
Written and medically reviewed byTom Astley, Sports Physiotherapist & Clinical Director · BSc Physiotherapy (Coventry, 2008) · BSc Health, Exercise & Sport (UWIC, 2005) · Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
FAQ
FAQs
Does shock wave therapy have side effects or cause pain?
There are no known major side effects with shock wave therapy, and most patients experience a reduction in their existing pain after the early sessions. Rarely, mild pain or discomfort can be experienced after treatment, and it may last for up to 24 hours. Skin redness in the treatment zone is also common and settles within hours.
How many sessions will I need?
Injuries typically take 3 to 4 treatments for a good resolution, usually delivered weekly. Reports show that about 80 % of patients experience a marked reduction in pain and a return to normal function after only 3 to 4 sessions. A small subset benefit from an additional 1 to 2 top-up sessions where reassessment supports it; we are not interested in selling sessions you do not need.
What conditions does shockwave treat?
The strongest evidence is for chronic tendinopathies: Achilles, patellar, plantar fascia, gluteal, tennis elbow, golfers' elbow, and shoulder rotator-cuff tendinopathy. We also treat trochanteric pain syndrome, calcific tendinopathy, and stubborn myofascial trigger points. We will tell you honestly if your case is outside the strong-evidence zone.
Why is the Lika Vario Pro the device you use?
The Lika Vario Pro is a clinical-grade, well-tested radial shockwave device with a strong evidence base in musculoskeletal medicine. Different probe applicators let us treat both superficial tendons (e.g. tennis elbow, plantar fascia) and deeper structures (gluteal, hamstring, shoulder) without changing machines. It is the device our clinical team has the most experience with.
Can I have shockwave on the NHS or through insurance?
Shockwave therapy is available privately and through most major UK insurers when clinically indicated: Bupa, Cigna, Vitality, WPA, and Simply Health all reimburse with prior authorisation. NHS access is limited and varies by region; if your case is severe enough to need the NHS pathway we will tell you and refer accordingly.
Get Started
Book a physiotherapy appointment
in Crouch End, Marylebone or Henley.
Tom Astley Physiotherapy • Park Road Pools & Fitness, Crouch End, London N8 8JN
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks