Specialist Focused Shockwave Therapy for Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)
Do you suffer from persistent knots in your muscles that feel like they never truly release, even after a massage?
Our specialist clinic in Richmond provides advanced focused shockwave therapy (fSWT) for Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), helping clients nationwide break the cycle of chronic muscle tension and referred pain.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic pain disorder where pressure on sensitive points in your muscles (trigger points) causes pain in the muscle and sometimes in seemingly unrelated parts of your body. Unlike temporary muscle tightness, MPS can restrict blood flow and trap metabolic waste.
Focused shockwave therapy offers a precision medical solution to increase blood flow and stimulate healing.
Book your free phone consultation today to see if this treatment is right for you.
How does it work? | Treatment protocol | Benefits | When to consider fSWT
What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
MPS involves the formation of Trigger Points—hypersensitive spots within a taut band of muscle fibre. These points can be active (causing constant pain) or latent (causing pain only when pressed).
MPS also involves Referred Pain which can radiate from trigger points to other areas of the body.
Because these trigger points can be located within deeper layers of muscle, focused shockwave allows us to deliver targeted energy directly to the affected area. This helps address persistent muscle tightness in a non-invasive way.
Differential Diagnosis: Identifying Muscle Knots
Because trigger points can refer pain elsewhere, we assess for:
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs found between tendons and joints.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Distinguishing between a trigger point or a tendon tear in the shoulder muscles.
- Slipped Disc: Determining if your back pain is coming from a knot in the muscle or a nerve root in the spine.
Not sure which condition is causing you pain and would like some advice?
Book your FREE phone consultation online now, drop us an email or phone us on 07760 536155 for a quick chat.
See all conditions we treat to learn how fSWT can help.
How Focused Shockwave Therapy Treats Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Provides pain relief
- Improves blood flow
- Stimulates tissue healing
- Restores muscle function
Learn more about shockwave therapy and the difference between focused and radial shockwave therapy.
Book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation online now or drop us an email to find out more about how we can help.
Treatment Protocol for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
With years of hands-on experience treating MPS for clients in Richmond, Greater London, and across the UK, we tailor every treatment plan to match your symptoms and recovery goals.
Typical Course
- Starts with 5–8 sessions, usually once per week.
- The exact number of sessions will depend on the severity of your condition and response to treatment.
Intensity And Frequency
- Shockwave intensity and frequency are adjusted to your pain tolerance and the characteristics of the condition.
Minimal Downtime
- Most clients can continue normal activities immediately.
- Reduction in high-impact activity is advised during the first few sessions of the treatment plan.
Post-Treatment Sensation
- Mild soreness or swelling may occur, usually resolving within a few days.
Each treatment plan is tailored to your condition. Learn more about what to expect from focused shockwave therapy and view a full breakdown of clinic fees on our prices page.
Benefits of Focused Shockwave Therapy for MPS
Reaches the Source
Unlike foam rolling or manual therapy, focused shockwave can reach trigger points located up to 12.5cm deep.
Long-Term Resolution
Rather than just relaxing the muscle temporarily, fSWT encourages the tissue to remodel and return to a healthy, elastic state.
Reduces Referred Pain
By "switching off" the primary trigger point, secondary pain in other areas of the body (like tension headaches) often subsides.
No Need for Needles
A highly effective alternative for those who find Dry Needling or Trigger Point Injections too invasive or painful.
When to Consider Focused Shockwave Therapy for MPS
Persistent knots
If you have areas of tension that return within days of a massage.
Referred pain patterns
If pressing a spot in your shoulder causes a headache or pain down your arm.
Restricted range of movement
If muscle tightness is preventing you from turning your head or bending over comfortably.
Ineffective traditional treatments
If heat packs, stretching, and over-the-counter painkillers are no longer providing relief.
Early intervention with shockwave therapy can accelerate healing by reducing pain, breaking down trigger points, and improving blood flow, thereby preventing the condition from becoming chronic and leading to more complex issues.
FAQs –MPS & Focused Shockwave Therapy
Q: How does this differ from a deep tissue massage?
A: Massage uses manual pressure to move tissue. Focused shockwave uses acoustic energy to penetrate the tissue. Shockwave can reach much deeper and creates a biological response (new blood vessel growth) that massage cannot achieve.
Q: Is the treatment painful on a sensitive trigger point?
A: When the shockwave hits an active trigger point, you will feel a referred sensation—the exact pain you usually feel. We use this to confirm we are in the right spot and then adjust the intensity to a level that is therapeutic but manageable for you.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: For chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome, we typically recommend 5 to 8 sessions. Because the body has learned this tension pattern over time, it takes a few sessions to retrain the tissue to remain relaxed.
Q: Can it help with tension headaches?
A: Yes. Many tension headaches are actually referred pain from myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius and neck muscles. Treating these with focused shockwave can be highly effective.
For more answers to common questions, see our FAQs page
No commitment, pressure or obligation! Book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation online now or call us for a quick chat.
Our Specialist Focused Shockwave Clinic
Be Vibrant Physio is a leading UK provider of advanced Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (F-ESWT).
Based in Richmond, London, our clinic is a specialist hub equipped with world-class Storz Medical technology.
We routinely welcome clients from across Greater London, the UK, and international visitors seeking expert clinical protocols.
Situated a short walk from Richmond Station, we are easily accessible via the District Line, Overground, and National Rail, with 90 minutes of complimentary parking available nearby.
After 2.5 years of problems with my collarbone, the shockwaves helped me immensely. Nim was great and very professional throughout - before and after pics!
I was unable to play tennis due to hamstring tendinopathy for many months and it did not improve until I had a course of shockwave treatments which have been very successful. Nim is very pleasant and is genuinely interested and enthusiastic about seeing an improvement in your condition. She is very knowledgeable and information and advice she gives is always based on up to date research.
I was recommended focused shockwave therapy for a hamstring tendinopathy that had not been resolved through traditional physio. I found Nim, and her treatment has been excellent. After years of pain, I am delighted with the results. She is so knowledgeable and I've learnt a lot from her. How I approach sports training has changed forever for the good! She is also a lovely and interesting person to talk to: I always learned something new in each treatment session.
It’s difficult to know where to start but I found Nim after hearing a podcast about shockwave therapy, Google led me there and my first meeting with her gave me the reassurance to give her a go.
I suffered a spinal fracture nearly ten years ago, recurring sciatica, lower back pain, daily aches and stiffness. A diagnosis of arthritis and years of chiropractors, osteo’s, physio’s and rheumatologists.
Nim took one look at me and noticed my pelvic twist, my imbalance caused from years of compensating for pain. Coupled with focused shockwave to repair the damage that never properly healed and targeted stretches, nothing rocket science or hard to fit in to a busy schedule. Now I am pain free for the first time that I can remember, my mobility has returned and the ‘arthritis’ gone.
Thankyou Nim, you are a true healer and proof that there is help out there if you are strong and willing enough to refuse a lifelong diagnosis and find the help you need. 11 stars from me.
I was told how good Nim was by another satisfied client which was why I decided to finally tackle a decades old problem - a horrible crunchy rotator cuff which was limiting my arm movement. The shockwave therapy really works and Nim is both very friendly and extremely knowledgeable, supporting the therapy with a programme of exercises to do at home. I've got far more movement in my shoulder now, thanks to Nim!
