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.
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: A compressed-air piston strikes a hand-piece and sends a pressure wave outward. Technically a pressure wave, not a shockwave.
How it feels: Percussive, often uncomfortable at higher settings.
Best suited to: Surface-level trigger points and superficial tendon work.
How it works: Energy 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; sometimes requires numbing.
Best suited to: Small, precisely located deep targets. Requires accurate pinpointing.
How it works: Marketing names, not distinct technologies. Each one is a branded version of radial pressure wave or focused shockwave equipment.
How it feels: Varies by the underlying device.
Best suited to: Ask which physical technology the device actually uses before you book.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| SoftWave (unfocused) | Radial / EPAT | Focused ESWT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave produced | True shockwave | Pressure wave | True shockwave |
| Energy source | Electrohydraulic spark | Compressed air piston | Electromagnetic or piezo |
| Treatment area | Broad zone | Shallow, surface | Small deep focal point |
| Depth reached | Surface through deep | Mostly superficial | Deep, pinpointed |
| Comfort | Well tolerated | Often percussive | Can be painful |
| Needs exact pinpointing | No | No | Yes |
| Typical session | 10–15 minutes | 5–15 minutes | 10–20 minutes |
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
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.
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