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Shockwave Therapy at Feelfit Physiotherapy

One of Our Favourite Tools for Persistent Pain and Tendon Injuries

At Feelfit Physiotherapy, we are always looking for evidence-based treatment options that help our patients recover faster, move better, and get back to doing what they love.

One of our favourite tools to use in clinic is Shockwave Therapy.

Shockwave Therapy has become an extremely effective treatment option for many chronic tendon, muscle, and overuse injuries that have not responded well to rest, massage, stretching, or traditional rehabilitation alone.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy uses targeted acoustic sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissue.

These sound waves help:

  • Increase blood flow
  • Stimulate tissue repair
  • Reduce pain sensitivity
  • Improve tendon healing response
  • Break down chronic degenerative tissue changes

Treatment is performed directly over the painful or injured area and is commonly combined with an individualised rehabilitation program for best results.

At Feelfit, we often use Shockwave Therapy alongside:

  • Strength rehabilitation
  • Mobility work
  • Load management
  • Return to running and sport programs

What Conditions Can Shockwave Help?

Shockwave Therapy can be extremely effective for a range of stubborn injuries, including:

Tendon Injuries

  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Patellar tendinopathy
  • Gluteal tendinopathy
  • Hamstring tendinopathy
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy

Muscle and Soft Tissue Conditions

  • Chronic calf tightness
  • Muscle trigger points
  • Hip pain
  • Shin pain
  • Persistent muscular overload injuries

Calcific and Chronic Conditions

  • Calcific shoulder tendinopathy
  • Chronic heel pain
  • Long-standing overuse injuries

Why We Love Using Shockwave Therapy

One of the biggest benefits of Shockwave Therapy is that it can help “restart” healing in tissue that has become chronically irritated or degenerative.

Many people come to us after:

  • Months of pain
  • Failed rest periods
  • Recurrent flare ups
  • Difficulty returning to running or sport

Shockwave often helps reduce pain enough for patients to tolerate progressive strengthening and loading again, which is where long-term recovery really happens.

We especially love using it with:

  • Runners
  • Triathletes
  • Gym athletes
  • Busy parents
  • Chronic tendon pain sufferers

Does Shockwave Hurt?

Shockwave Therapy can feel uncomfortable over sensitive areas, particularly in very irritated tendons, however treatment is typically very tolerable and sessions are kept short.

Most patients describe it as:

  • A deep vibrating sensation
  • Mild discomfort
  • “Good pain” over the injured area

Treatment intensity is always adjusted to suit the individual.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

Most conditions respond well to:

  • 3 to 6 sessions
  • Usually spaced 1 week apart

This varies depending on:

  • Severity
  • Duration of symptoms
  • Tendon health
  • Activity levels
  • Compliance with rehabilitation

Is Shockwave Therapy a Standalone Treatment?

No.

At Feelfit Physiotherapy, we believe the best results occur when Shockwave Therapy is combined with:

  • Progressive strengthening
  • Education
  • Load management
  • Mobility work
  • Sport-specific rehabilitation

Shockwave helps create the environment for healing, but movement and rehabilitation are still essential.

Who May Benefit From Shockwave Therapy?

You may benefit from Shockwave Therapy if you:

  • Have persistent tendon pain
  • Keep re-injuring the same area
  • Have pain that has lasted longer than 6 weeks
  • Have plateaued with rehab
  • Want to return to running or sport faster
  • Have chronic heel, knee, shoulder, or hip pain

Shockwave Therapy at Feelfit Physiotherapy

Our physiotherapists use Shockwave Therapy as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation approach tailored to your goals, sport, and lifestyle.

Whether you are trying to:

  • Run pain free
  • Return to sport
  • Keep up with the kids
  • Train for an event
  • Get back into exercise

We are here to help guide your recovery.

If you would like to see whether Shockwave Therapy may help your injury, contact the team at Feelfit Physiotherapy to book an assessment.

The Importance of Pre-Season Strengthening, Management, and Rehabilitation for Netball

As netball season approaches, it’s essential to prepare your body for the demands of the game. Pre-season training plays a crucial role in injury prevention, performance enhancement, and overall player longevity. At Feelfit Physiotherapy, our physiotherapist, Erin, specialises in netball-specific conditioning to help athletes stay strong, recover faster, and minimise injury risks.

Why Pre-Season Matters

Netball is a high-impact sport requiring rapid changes in direction, jumping, landing, and sprinting. Without proper preparation, players are at risk of common injuries such as ankle sprains, ACL tears, and overuse conditions like patellar tendinopathy. A structured pre-season program can:

  • Improve strength and stability
  • Enhance agility and endurance
  • Reduce the likelihood of injuries
  • Ensure faster recovery after matches

Strengthening for Netball Performance

A well-rounded strengthening program targets key muscle groups involved in netball, including the lower limbs, core, and upper body. Erin recommends incorporating:

  • Lower limb strength: Squats, lunges, and calf raises to support powerful movements and reduce knee and ankle injuries.
  • Core stability: Planks, dead bugs, and anti-rotation exercises to maintain balance and control.
  • Upper body strength: Shoulder stability exercises such as banded external rotations and overhead pressing to improve passing strength and reduce shoulder strain.

Managing Load and Recovery

Avoiding burnout and overuse injuries is essential. Erin advises monitoring training load, ensuring adequate rest days, and prioritising recovery strategies such as:

  • Proper warm-ups and cool-downs
  • Mobility and flexibility exercises
  • Hydration and nutrition to fuel performance
  • Sleep optimisation to aid muscle repair

Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention

For players returning from injury, pre-season is the perfect time to address any lingering issues. Erin provides tailored rehabilitation plans, focusing on:

  • Gradual strength and conditioning progression
  • Sport-specific drills to ease back into training
  • Hands-on physiotherapy techniques such as manual therapy and dry needling

Get Ready for the Season with Feelfit Physiotherapy

Whether you’re an elite player or just starting, pre-season preparation is key to a successful and injury-free netball season. Book an appointment with Erin at Feelfit Physiotherapy to develop a personalised strengthening, management, and rehabilitation plan tailored to your needs.

Stay strong, play smart, and enjoy the game!

The Importance of Prehab in ACL Rehabilitation

An ACL injury can be a major setback, and while many are eager to have surgery, recovery truly begins with prehabilitation. Prehab is a structured exercise program completed before ACL reconstruction to improve strength, mobility, and confidence for a smoother recovery. At Feelfit Physiotherapy, we create tailored prehab programs to help you achieve the best possible outcome post-surgery.

PREHAB GOALS

  • Restoring range of motion: Regaining full knee extension and as much flexion as possible before surgery reduces the risk of stiffness and post-op complications.
  • Reducing swelling and inflammation: Calming the joint helps improve muscle activation and surgical outcomes.
  • Rebuilding strength: Stronger muscles mean better support for the knee post-surgery (particularly quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and glutes).
  • Improving neuromuscular control: Balance, stability, and movement control are crucial for joint protection and efficient recovery.
  • Boosting confidence: Knowing how to move and load the knee safely can reduce anxiety.

WHY IS PREHAB SO IMPORTANT?

Research consistently shows that people who complete a structured prehab program:

  • Regain function and strength sooner after surgery
  • Experience less pain and swelling post-operatively
  • Return to sport or activity earlier
  • Are more likely to achieve symmetrical strength and performance between legs.

Essentially, prehab can shorten your total rehabilitation time and increase your chances of a full recovery.

WHAT DOES PREHAB LOOK LIKE?

A physiotherapist led prehab program is individualised but usually includes:

  • Strength training: Targeting quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes
  • Range of motion exercises: Especially for full extension
  • Balance and proprioception drills
  • Swelling management: Manual therapy, compression, and ice when needed
  • Education: Understanding what to expect after surgery and how to manage early rehab safely

The ideal prehab period is usually 4–6 weeks, but even a few focused sessions before surgery can make a meaningful difference.

HOW TO SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS:

The road to recovery after ACL reconstruction doesn’t start in the operating theatre, it starts with prehab. Building strength, mobility, and confidence before surgery gives you the best possible foundation for long term success and helps you return to sport or daily life.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with an ACL injury, book in today to speak to a physiotherapist about starting a prehab program. The work you do now will pay off tenfold later.

 

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