What Is Combination Therapy?

Combination therapy simply means using more than one treatment approach within the same session. At Spine Plus, this has been a core part of how we work for over 20 years, and it's why many of our patients achieve results that have eluded them elsewhere.

Why Combine Treatments?

Most conditions have multiple contributing factors. A disc problem involves both structural compression and muscle tension, nerve irritation, and often joint stiffness. Treating only one aspect at a time means each visit addresses only part of the picture. Combining treatments means the whole problem gets attention at once, delivering superior results to what might be termed "mono-therapy" as practised by most other clinics.

Research increasingly supports this approach. Recent studies advocate combining laser and shockwave for plantar fasciitis, and TECAR after shockwave for stubborn tendon cases.

Common Combinations at Spine Plus

• Osteopathy + medical acupuncture: Manual therapy releases joint restrictions while acupuncture addresses trigger points and muscle tension simultaneously
• Osteopathy + clinical Pilates: Manual treatment followed by targeted core stabilisation exercises in the same session
• Laser + shockwave: Class IV laser reduces pain sensitivity and inflammation, allowing higher-pressure shockwave to be used more effectively
• Shockwave + TECAR: Shockwave breaks down damaged tissue; TECAR promotes deeper tissue healing and reduces residual inflammation
• IDD therapy + acupuncture: Spinal decompression combined with paraspinal dry needling to reduce muscle spasm and enhance decompression

Does It Cost More?

Some advanced technologies (IDD Therapy, TECAR, shockwave) carry additional session fees. However, combining treatments tends to reduce the total number of sessions needed to resolve a condition, which represents better long-term value. Some combinations, such as laser acupuncture and ultrasound, carry no extra charge.

Conditions Treated with Combination Therapy

• Chronic back and neck pain
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Tennis and golfer's elbow
• Knee and hip sports injuries
• Disc bulges and sciatica

To discuss the best combination approach for your condition, call us on 020 8506 1000.