SoftWave vs. Radial Shockwave Therapy

If you’ve been researching shockwave therapy, you’ve likely come across two different approaches: radial shockwave and broad-focused shockwave technology like SoftWave. They’re often grouped under the same umbrella term, but they don’t work the same way, and the difference can affect both your comfort during treatment and the results you see.

The Core Difference

Radial shockwave devices generate a pressure wave at the tip of the applicator and disperse it outward as it travels into the body. This means the energy is strongest right at the skin’s surface and weakens the deeper it goes, making radial devices best suited for more superficial issues.

SoftWave uses broad-focused technology, which sends energy deeper into tissue while still covering a wide treatment area. Rather than concentrating force at a single, tightly focused point (the way “focused” shockwave devices do) or losing strength as it travels (the way radial devices do), broad-focused technology is designed to reach connective tissue, tendons, and joint structures more effectively without requiring pinpoint accuracy on the exact injury site.

How This Affects Your Treatment

Radial Shockwave

  • Energy concentrated near the surface
  • Best for superficial soft tissue
  • Requires more precise targeting
  • Often more sessions needed for deeper issues

SoftWave (Broad-Focused)

  • Reaches deeper tissue layers
  • Covers a wider treatment area
  • More forgiving if injury site isn’t exact
  • Often more comfortable during treatment

Which Conditions Benefit Most From Each?

Radial shockwave can be effective for surface-level issues like some cases of plantar fasciitis or trigger points. For conditions involving deeper tissue, joint structures, or larger treatment areas, such as arthritic knees, frozen shoulder, or chronic tendon injuries, broad-focused technology like SoftWave is often better suited to reach the affected tissue.

What This Means for You

At Optimal Family Chiropractic, we chose SoftWave specifically for its broad-focused approach. It allows us to treat a wider range of conditions effectively, without needing to isolate the exact millimeter of an injury before starting treatment, which can be difficult with some soft tissue injuries where the source of pain isn’t perfectly clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one type of shockwave therapy better than the other?

Neither is universally “better” — they’re suited to different situations. Broad-focused technology like SoftWave tends to work well across a wider range of conditions, while radial devices may be a reasonable fit for select superficial issues.

Does SoftWave hurt more than radial shockwave?

Not typically. Most patients describe SoftWave treatment as feeling similar to a deep tissue massage, and many find broad-focused treatment more comfortable since it doesn’t require pinpoint targeting.

How do I know which one is right for me?

The best way to find out is a Discovery Session, where we evaluate your specific condition and recommend the right approach.

Offering a $79 Discovery Session

Wondering which shockwave option is right for you? Take advantage of our Discovery Session for just $79!

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Optimal Family Chiropractic | (405) 242-4911