SoftWave vs. Other Shockwave Therapy
Not every machine marketed as “shockwave” produces a shockwave. Here's how to tell them apart.
Shopping for shockwave therapy is confusing on purpose. Clinics advertise ESWT, EPAT, radial shockwave, focused shockwave, stem wave, pulse wave and acoustic wave therapy — and the words are used interchangeably even though the underlying physics are not the same. Here is the plain-language breakdown, so you know what you're paying for.
There are really only three types of shockwave machines: electrohydraulic (SoftWave TRT), electromagnetic (Storz DuoLith), and a hybrid mix of both (Musculoskeletal / MSK systems). Everything else you see advertised is either a radial pressure-wave device or a brand name applied to one of these three.
How it works: A spark gap inside a fluid-filled applicator creates a true acoustic shockwave that spreads across a broad, shallow-to-deep treatment zone.
How it feels: Light tapping. No anesthesia needed.
Best suited to: Broad soft-tissue and joint treatment, stem cell recruitment, blood-flow improvement.
How it works: An electromagnetic coil generates energy that converges on a small, deep focal point — the same family of technology used to break up kidney stones.
How it feels: Can be sharply painful at the focal point; sometimes requires numbing.
Best suited to: Small, precisely located deep targets. Requires accurate pinpointing.
How it works: Combines electrohydraulic and electromagnetic-style delivery in one system, aiming to cover both broad-zone and focal treatment.
How it feels: Varies with which mode is used during the session.
Best suited to: Clinics wanting one machine for both broad and pinpointed work.
How it works: A compressed-air piston sends a pressure wave outward — technically a pressure wave, not a shockwave. EPAT, "stem wave" and "pulse wave" are marketing names for this or for focused equipment, not distinct technologies.
How it feels: Percussive, often uncomfortable at higher settings.
Best suited to: Surface-level trigger points and superficial tendon work. Ask which physical technology the device actually uses before you book.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Electrohydraulic (SoftWave TRT) | Electromagnetic (Storz DuoLith) | Hybrid (MSK) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave produced | True shockwave | True shockwave | True shockwave |
| Energy source | Electrohydraulic spark gap | Electromagnetic coil | Both, in one system |
| Treatment area | Broad, unfocused zone | Small deep focal point | Switches between the two |
| Depth reached | Surface through deep | Deep, pinpointed | Depends on mode |
| Comfort | Well tolerated | Can be painful | Varies by mode |
| Needs exact pinpointing | No | Yes | In focal mode, yes |
| Typical session | 10–15 minutes | 10–20 minutes | 10–20 minutes |
| What we use in Solana Beach | Yes | No | No |
Questions to Ask Any Clinic
- Which device brand and model is in the treatment room?
- Is it electrohydraulic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, or radial (compressed air)?
- Does it produce a true shockwave or a radial pressure wave?
- How large an area does one pass cover?
- Who performs the treatment — a doctor or an unsupervised technician?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of shockwave machines are there?▾
Three: electrohydraulic (SoftWave TRT), electromagnetic (Storz DuoLith), and hybrid systems that mix both (often called musculoskeletal or MSK devices). Radial pressure-wave machines are frequently advertised as shockwave, but they produce a pressure wave rather than a true shockwave.
What is the difference between SoftWave and shockwave therapy?▾
SoftWave is a type of shockwave therapy — specifically unfocused electrohydraulic shockwave. Many clinics that advertise "shockwave therapy" actually use radial pressure-wave devices, which produce a different, shallower wave. Both are marketed the same way; they are not the same treatment.
Is radial pressure wave therapy real shockwave therapy?▾
Physically, no. A radial device uses compressed air to drive a piston, producing a pressure wave that loses energy quickly with depth. A true shockwave has a near-instant pressure rise and travels through tissue very differently.
What does ESWT mean?▾
ESWT stands for extracorporeal shockwave therapy — treatment delivered from outside the body. Li-ESWT means low-intensity ESWT, the version commonly studied for erectile dysfunction and vascular conditions.
Is focused or unfocused shockwave better?▾
It depends on the target. Focused shockwave concentrates energy at one deep point, which requires knowing exactly where the problem is. SoftWave's unfocused wave treats a wide zone in a single pass, which suits the diffuse, multi-structure pain most patients actually have — and it is far more comfortable.
Is "stem wave therapy" the same as SoftWave?▾
"Stem wave" is a marketing term some clinics use, not a distinct technology. Ask which device is in the room and whether it produces electrohydraulic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, or radial energy.
Is SoftWave the same as Sofwave?▾
No — and it's a common mix-up. Sofwave is an ultrasound-based cosmetic skin-tightening device for wrinkles and lifting. SoftWave TRT is a shockwave device used for pain, injury, and tissue regeneration. We provide SoftWave TRT; we do not offer cosmetic skin tightening.
Is SoftWave FDA cleared?▾
Yes. SoftWave devices are FDA-cleared for the treatment of activated connective tissue, improved blood supply, and diabetic foot ulcers.
Same Day Appointments Available
Get The Pain Relief You Deserve
Why Live With PAIN When You Can AFFORD Not To?