SoftWave vs. Shockwave Therapy: What’s the Difference?

SoftWave Therapy and traditional shockwave therapy are both forms of extracorporeal shockwave therapy, but they deliver acoustic energy differently. SoftWave uses a broad-focus applicator that spreads acoustic wave energy across a wider treatment area, while traditional focused and radial shockwave devices concentrate pressure into a smaller, more targeted zone. 

Neither option is automatically the right fit for every person. The better choice depends on the condition being treated, your treatment goals, and a physician-supervised assessment of your specific situation.

Traditional shockwave devices generally rely on electromagnetic, piezoelectric, or pneumatic radial systems. SoftWave uses electrohydraulic technology, which produces a broad-focus wave pattern.

A focused shockwave device concentrates energy into a small, precise area, which can be useful for targeting one specific point of injury. SoftWave’s broad-focus pattern spreads energy across a wider zone, covering more of the surrounding tissue in a single pass.

Sensation varies by device and by person. Traditional focused shockwave intentionally creates controlled microtrauma to kickstart repair, which is part of why it’s often described as more intense, with some soreness during or after treatment. SoftWave’s broad, lower-intensity pattern is designed to trigger the same repair signaling without that microtrauma, which is why it’s generally described as a mild, repetitive tapping sensation that most clients tolerate comfortably.

Session length and the number of visits needed depend on the condition being treated and how an individual responds. Health Plus Mobile SoftWave Therapy sessions typically run 30 minutes or less, and a full course of care is generally structured over multiple visits.

Because a session works by prompting a short-term inflammatory response, most protocols recommend skipping ice and anti-inflammatory medication for the first day or two afterward so the body’s natural signaling isn’t interrupted. Your care team will walk you through any specific aftercare guidance for your treatment area.

Neither technology is universally better than the other. Effectiveness depends on the diagnosis being treated and your treatment goals, and just as much on the provider’s training and experience as on the specific device or technology involved. 

Your individual health history plays a role too, since a treatment that works well for one person’s shoulder pain may not be the right fit for someone managing a blood-clotting condition or a different injury pattern.

The right choice is the one recommended after a physician-supervised assessment of your specific condition, not a generic comparison between two categories of devices.

Yes. SoftWave Therapy is technically a form of extracorporeal shockwave therapy, delivered through a broad-focus applicator rather than the small focal point traditional focused devices use. It’s marketed under its own name because the treatment experience and treatment area are different enough from traditional focused or radial shockwave to matter to patients.

Neither is objectively better. Effectiveness depends on the diagnosis, treatment goals, the provider’s training, the specific device used, and the individual’s health history. A physician-supervised assessment is the best way to determine which option fits your situation.

No. StemWave and SoftWave are different manufacturers using different device technology, even though both are categorized as acoustic wave therapies. The provider’s training matters as much as the device brand.

Acoustic wave therapy is a broad category that includes shockwave devices. Not every acoustic wave device produces a true shockwave, so the technology and intensity can vary significantly under the same general label.

SoftWave technology is FDA 510(k) cleared for musculoskeletal applications, and peer-reviewed research has compared shockwave therapy to treatments like corticosteroid injections and standard rehabilitation. Results vary by individual and condition, and no specific outcome is guaranteed. A physician-supervised assessment helps set realistic expectations for your situation.

The number of sessions varies by individual, the area being treated, and how the body responds. Your treatment plan is established during your assessment with Dr. Doug Jordan, DC.

Most clients describe SoftWave Therapy as a mild, repetitive tapping sensation. Discomfort is typically minimal, and there is no anesthesia or recovery period required. Some clients notice mild redness or soreness for a day or two afterward, which usually resolves on its own.

SoftWave Therapy is not recommended for everyone. Situations that typically rule it out include pregnancy where the treatment field includes the fetus, severe blood-clotting disorders or anticoagulant therapy, a pacemaker or defibrillator near the treatment area, an active tumor in the treatment field, and treatment over air-filled tissue such as the lungs or sinuses. A physician-supervised assessment identifies these situations before treatment begins.

SoftWave Therapy is a self-pay service and is not covered by most insurance plans at this time.