Wellness & recovery

Clinician-guided assessment and rehabilitation using exercise prescription, manual therapy and movement re-education to restore strength, mobility and function.

Used for: Injury rehabilitation, post-surgical recovery, chronic and acute back, neck and joint pain, and mobility or strength deficits.

Evidence: A well-established, evidence-based standard of care for most musculoskeletal complaints. Outcomes depend on the condition and adherence to the programme.

A non-invasive device that delivers acoustic (pressure) waves to an injured tendon or the plantar fascia to stimulate the body's local healing response.

Used for: Studied for chronic tendinopathies (e.g. Achilles, patellar, tennis/golfer's elbow, calcific shoulder) and plantar fasciitis that haven't responded to first-line care.

Evidence: Moderate evidence and a recognised option for several chronic tendon conditions and plantar fasciitis; results vary by condition, protocol and chronicity. Usually considered after conservative measures.

A trained, licensed clinician inserts a thin filament needle into a myofascial trigger point or taut muscle band to reduce muscle tightness and pain. Distinct from acupuncture in its Western neuromuscular rationale, and performed only within a practitioner's licensed scope — never a DIY or self-administered technique.

Used for: Used by clinics for myofascial trigger points, muscle tightness and certain regional musculoskeletal pain (neck, shoulder, low back), typically alongside an exercise programme.

Evidence: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses find low-to-moderate-quality evidence for SHORT-TERM relief of myofascial/trigger-point pain, often comparable to other manual therapies, with benefits that tend not to persist at the medium-to-long term. Best framed as an adjunct within active rehab, not a standalone cure; it remains a debated technique and higher-quality comparative evidence is still developing.

Devices apply low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields to tissue. The evidence — and the regulatory status — differ sharply by use: a narrow set of prescription bone-healing devices is FDA-authorized, while most consumer 'wellness' mats and coils are sold under general-wellness marketing with no disease claims.

Used for: FDA-authorized bone-growth stimulators are prescribed by clinicians as an adjunct for nonunion (slow- or non-healing) fractures and to support spinal fusion or salvage a failed fusion. Consumer devices are separately marketed for pain, recovery, sleep and energy — uses that are not FDA-authorized.

Evidence: Honest split, and the key thing to keep straight: PEMF bone-growth stimulators are FDA-authorized for the specific bone-healing indications above (e.g. Orthofix Physio-Stim / Spinal-Stim / Cervical-Stim), and there is moderate-but-mixed evidence for knee osteoarthritis pain and some post-operative pain. By contrast, claims that general-wellness PEMF mats treat pain, sleep, energy, mood or 'recovery' are unproven — those mats are NOT FDA-authorized to treat any condition and are sold under a general-wellness category. A wellness mat does not inherit a bone-stimulator's clearance or its evidence.

Hands-on techniques — joint mobilisation/manipulation and soft-tissue work — applied by physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors to improve movement and reduce pain.

Used for: Joint stiffness, mechanical back and neck pain, and restricted range of motion, usually combined with exercise.

Evidence: Commonly used and supported as part of multimodal care for several spinal and joint complaints; typically most effective alongside an active rehabilitation programme.

Clinical-grade red and near-infrared light applied to tissue to support local recovery; offered in some MSK and sports clinics (an at-home device version is also listed above).

Used for: Studied as an adjunct for musculoskeletal pain, soft-tissue recovery and reduced post-exercise soreness.

Evidence: Early-to-moderate evidence as a recovery adjunct; effect sizes and optimal dosing vary across studies. Not a replacement for active rehab.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from a sample of your own blood and injected into an injured tendon or joint by a physician to support healing.

Used for: Explored by physicians for certain tendinopathies and early osteoarthritis when standard care hasn't helped.

Evidence: Evidence is mixed and condition-dependent; it is not an established first-line treatment and protocols vary widely between clinics.

A non-invasive device that delivers acoustic pressure waves to a target area to stimulate local circulation and the body's healing response. Delivered in clinic; no incision.

Used for: Most established for chronic musculoskeletal conditions (see MSK above) such as plantar fasciitis and several tendinopathies.

Evidence: Best-supported for specific chronic tendon and fascia conditions; evidence in other applications is less mature. Protocols and devices differ between clinics.

A low-intensity form of shockwave therapy applied to penile tissue, studied as a potential approach for improving blood flow in some men with vasculogenic (blood-flow-related) erectile dysfunction.

Used for: Being studied for mild-to-moderate vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. A physician assessment is needed to determine whether ED has a treatable underlying cause and whether this is appropriate.

Evidence: Considered investigational by major urology bodies; some studies show short-term benefit but protocols, devices and durability of results vary, and longer-term evidence is limited.

A clinical work-up — history, blood tests (e.g. hormone levels), ultrasound and, for men, semen analysis — to understand fertility and identify any factors a clinician can act on.

Used for: An informational first step for individuals or couples exploring fertility, recommended before any treatment is considered.

Evidence: Standard initial step in fertility care. Findings and next steps are individual and interpreted by a specialist.

Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, sometimes combined with medication to support ovulation.

Used for: An informational overview of a commonly used option for certain causes of subfertility; suitability is decided by a fertility specialist.

Evidence: An established, less-invasive option for selected indications; success rates depend strongly on individual factors and are discussed case by case.

Eggs are collected and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and a resulting embryo is later transferred to the uterus. A multi-step, physician-led process.

Used for: An informational overview of a widely used assisted-reproduction treatment for a range of fertility causes; candidacy is determined after assessment.

Evidence: An established assisted-reproduction treatment. Outcomes vary considerably with age and individual factors; clinics quote individualised, not guaranteed, success rates.

Assessment and management of male contributors to subfertility — semen analysis, hormonal and lifestyle evaluation, and referral to urology where needed.

Used for: An informational overview for couples where a male factor is identified or suspected; managed by appropriate specialists.

Evidence: Male-factor assessment is a routine, important part of fertility care; treatments range from lifestyle measures to specialist intervention depending on the cause.

Eggs, sperm or embryos are frozen and stored for potential future use — for example before certain medical treatments or for personal/elective reasons.

Used for: An informational overview of fertility-preservation options; timing and likelihood of future success are individual and discussed with a specialist.

Evidence: An established option; the chance of a future live birth depends on age at freezing and other factors, and storage is subject to local regulation and time limits.