Assessment
A full history and a thorough examination of the skin, nails, circulation and, where relevant, your gait. You leave with a working diagnosis you understand and a plan agreed with you, not handed to you.
Heel & Tendon Pain
Shockwave Therapy
Radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) in Canary Wharf, London: a non-invasive, drug-free treatment our HCPC-registered podiatrists use for chronic plantar heel pain and Achilles tendinopathy, always alongside a structured loading programme rather than as a stand-alone cure.
The short answer
What this treatment is
Radial shockwave therapy (RSWT), a form of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), sends acoustic pressure waves through the skin to promote healing in stubborn tendons and soft tissues. We reserve it for chronic plantar heel pain and Achilles tendinopathy that first-line care has not settled, always as an adjunct to loading, never a stand-alone cure.
What does a podiatrist do at your first appointment?
Your initial consultation covers a full history and a thorough examination of the skin, nails, circulation and, where relevant, the way you walk. We explain what we find in plain English and agree a working diagnosis with you.
Where it is safe to do so, treatment starts the same day, and you leave understanding the plan and the options in front of you.
Shockwave therapy can help to:
Ease chronic plantar heel pain
Persistent plantar fasciitis that has not settled after weeks of stretching, footwear changes and loading is the use with the most evidence behind it. Even so, shockwave works best as an adjunct to your rehabilitation, not on its own.
Settle stubborn Achilles tendinopathy
For a mid-portion Achilles that has not responded to first-line care, radial shockwave can be added alongside a progressive calf and heel-raise programme. The loading still does the rebuilding; the waves aim to support it.
Target long-standing, calcific tendinopathy
In chronic conditions involving tendons and soft tissues, the acoustic waves are used to improve local blood flow and help break down calcification. The evidence is mixed, so we set realistic expectations before starting.
Prompt a stalled repair response
The applicator delivers focused sound waves that create a small mechanical effect in the tissue, with the aim of encouraging your body's own blood circulation and cell-repair processes where healing has stopped on its own.
Offer an option when first-line care has stalled
Radial shockwave is often considered when rest, physiotherapy or medication have not yielded enough improvement. It is a considered next step for refractory cases, not a first-line treatment and not a guaranteed cure.
Christine is the feet whisperer, she is marvellous! I should have gone to her before I actually did. If you have any issues with your feet, do not hesitate — book an appointment to see her. Highly recommended!
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Had been in pain for many weeks. As soon as I went to Canary Wharf Podiatry I was taken care of excellently and sorted out, by the kindest staff. This was my best ever medical experience. Thank you so much!
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Had a great experience with Hinson the podiatrist — extremely patient and thorough in explaining the different treatment options. I really appreciated how professional and reassuring he was throughout the appointment.
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Christine was very gentle and took the time to answer all of our questions. She explained everything clearly and educated us with so much patience. We will definitely be coming back.
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Shockwave therapy fees and insurance
You can self-refer and book online, with no GP referral needed. Many patients claim treatment back through private health insurance: cover varies by policy, and some insurers ask for a GP or consultant referral first, so please check your plan before booking.
- Self-referral: book directly online, no GP letter needed
- Detailed invoices and procedure information provided for insurance claims
- Claimable with insurers such as WPA, Aviva and Vitality, subject to your policy
- One transparent price list across both London clinics
Your journey
with us
Everything starts with an accurate diagnosis. We find what is really causing the problem, treat it, and help you keep it from coming back, so you can stand, walk and train on comfortable feet.
Treatment
The care your foot problem actually needs, from painless skin and nail work to nail surgery under local anaesthetic, using sterile technique. Where a procedure carries real risk, we talk you through it and take consent first.
Advanced care
Where it helps, we draw on on-site MRI and X-ray, custom orthotics made in our own lab, and treatments such as laser and shockwave, so the right tool is matched to the right problem rather than a one-size-fits-all fix.
Maintenance
We address the underlying cause, footwear, pressure or load, so the problem is less likely to return, and offer routine reviews and medical pedicures so your feet are looked after before there is a problem, not only once there is one.
"I wish I had known about you sooner." We hear it constantly. Feet are easy to ignore until they hurt, so we treat podiatry the way a dentist treats teeth: a regular check and a little maintenance keeps small problems from becoming big ones.
- Two London clinics: Canary Wharf, inside LycaHealth at 1 Westferry Circus, and City Dock in Wapping.
- Rated 5.0 on Google, with an HCPC-registered team and evidence-based care led by an Oxford-trained Clinical Director.
- Founded in 2021 and grown almost entirely by word of mouth across two London clinics.
What our podiatrists and chiropodists treat
- Nail surgery for painful, recurrent ingrown toenails
- Skin and nail conditions: verrucae, corns, callus and fungal nails
- Evidence-based fungal nail treatment, including laser
- Biomechanics and custom orthotics made in our own lab
- Musculoskeletal and heel pain, with shockwave therapy
- On-site MRI and X-ray for same-day diagnosis
- Medical pedicures and routine foot-care maintenance
- Prescribing podiatrists: medication started promptly when it is needed
2 Locations
Shockwave therapy across our two London clinics
- Canary Wharf 1 Westferry Circus, London E14 4HD View location →
- City Dock 142 Vaughan Way, London E1W 2AF View location →
Written and medically reviewed byChristine Yau, Lead Podiatrist & Clinical Director · HCPC-registered · MSc (Oxon) · National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Interventional Procedures; Royal College of Podiatry.
FAQ
FAQs
What conditions do you use shockwave therapy for?
Our podiatrists use radial shockwave (RSWT) mainly for chronic plantar fasciitis (plantar heel pain) and Achilles tendinopathy that have not settled with several weeks of first-line care. NICE interventional procedures guidance allows careful use in these persistent, refractory cases. We do not offer it as a first-line treatment, and we will tell you if your problem is unsuitable.
Does shockwave therapy actually work?
The evidence is mixed. For some persistent cases of plantar heel pain or Achilles tendinopathy that have failed first-line care, shockwave can be a useful adjunct, which is why NICE allows its use under appropriate governance. It is not a guaranteed cure and works best alongside a loading programme. We reassess and stop if you are not improving.
Does the treatment hurt, and are there side effects?
Most people find it uncomfortable but tolerable, and the sensation settles as soon as the applicator lifts. Temporary redness, mild swelling, bruising, or aching over the treated area for a day or two is common, often like muscle soreness, and usually resolves within a few days. Our podiatrists screen for contraindications at every visit to keep it safe.
How many sessions will I need?
Radial shockwave is usually given as a short course, typically three to six sessions spaced about a week apart. Some people improve after only one or two; others need more, and some do not respond. We review after each session and continue only while you are improving, rather than adding sessions the evidence does not support.
Do I need a GP referral, and is shockwave suitable for everyone?
No GP referral is needed: you can self-refer and book directly online. Shockwave is not suitable in pregnancy, over an active infection or tumour site, with clotting disorders or blood-thinning medication, or for under-18s without specialist input. Our podiatrists confirm your suitability with a medical and vascular check at your assessment before any treatment.
Related Treatments
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in Canary Wharf.
Canary Wharf Podiatry • 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD
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