Now Accepting New Clients in Columbia, MO — Evaluations Starting at $49

About SoftWave

The Science Behind Your Healing

German-engineered. FDA-cleared. Backed by decades of research and trusted by MLB, NFL, NBA, and the world's top medical institutions. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive medical treatment that delivers acoustic energy into injured tissue to spark your body's natural healing response. It's been used in medicine since the 1950s — and the science has only gotten better.

Comparison of Shock Waves vs Pressure Waves vs Ultrasound Waves — shock waves have high positive pressure and fast rise times for superior tissue regeneration

What Is a Shockwave?

A shockwave is created by a high-energy electrical discharge in water. The voltage arcs between two electrode tips, creating a hot plasma bubble that explodes in all directions. This compresses the surrounding water and generates a pressure exceeding 10 MPa within nanoseconds.

Despite traveling at over 3,355 mphin water (5x faster than in air), therapeutic shockwaves do not cause microtrauma to your tissue. They activate cellular receptors and initiate your body's own biological healing response.

From Disintegration to Regeneration

Shockwaves were originally developed for lithotripsy— breaking apart kidney stones without surgery. Scientists discovered that the same energy, at modified levels, could stimulate tissue regeneration instead of destroying it.

Over 70 years of research later, shockwave therapy is now one of the most well-studied non-invasive regenerative treatments in medicine. The technology has evolved from disintegrating kidney stones to regenerating damaged tendons, ligaments, bones, nerves, and blood vessels.

3 Types of Shockwave — And Why It Matters

Not everything called “shockwave therapy” is actually shockwave therapy. Here's the truth about what's on the market:

1. Electrohydraulic (SoftWave)

True shockwave generated by spark-gap discharge in water with a patented parabolic reflector. Produces broad-focused waves that reach 12 cm deep and 7 cm wide.

✅ True shockwave — broad focused

2. Electromagnetic (Focused)

True shockwave, but energy is concentrated into a very narrow focal point (~2 mm). Requires many more pulses and sessions to cover the same area. Commonly used in urology and kidney stones.

✅ True shockwave — pinpoint focused

3. Radial (Pressure Wave)

Not a true shockwave.Uses a pneumatic mechanism (like a tiny jackhammer) to create pressure waves that disperse near the surface. Only reaches 3-4 cm deep. Most common device in clinics because it's cheapest.

❌ Not a true shockwave

Bottom line:When someone tells you they offer “shockwave therapy,” ask what type of device they use. A radial pressure wave and SoftWave are about as similar as a flashlight and a laser — both produce light, but they do very different things.

SoftWave vs Other Devices

Shockwave Therapy Overview

Confusion in the Marketplace

You'll see many names used interchangeably, but they are not all the same technology:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)Extracorporeal Pulse Activation (EPAT)Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT)Radial Shock Wave Therapy (RSWT)Low Intensity Shockwave (LISWT)Acoustic Pneumatic / BallisticPiezoelectric ShockwaveElectromagnetic ShockwaveElectrohydraulic Shockwave

Only electrohydraulicdevices (like SoftWave) produce true broad-focused shockwaves with proven stem cell activation. Don't get fooled by the terminology.

The History of Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy isn't new — it's been used in medicine for over 70 years.

1950

First Medical Investigation

First systematic medical investigation of shockwaves and their biological effects.

1968

German Research Begins

German researchers begin studying shock waves and their interaction with biological tissue.

1971

First Kidney Stone Treatment

First successful kidney stone disintegration via lithotripsy — shockwaves enter clinical use.

1985

Bone Healing Experiments

Initial experiments using shockwaves to stimulate bone healing and fracture repair.

1990

Tendon Treatment Success

First published reports on treating calcific tendinitis with 70-80% success rates.

2004

SoftWave Founded

SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies established — bringing electrohydraulic shockwave technology to the US market.

2024

Cardiac Breakthrough

SoftWave co-authored study published in the European Heart Journal demonstrating cardiac tissue regeneration following bypass surgery.

What Shockwave Therapy Treats

Musculoskeletal

  • Knee Pain
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Sciatic Pain
  • IT Band Syndrome

Neuropathy

  • Diabetic Neuropathy
  • Chemo-Induced Neuropathy
  • Toxicity-Induced Neuropathy
  • Peripheral Nerve Pain

Urology

  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Peyronie’s Disease
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • Stress Urinary Incontinence

Wound Care

  • Diabetic Ulcers
  • Arterial Ulcers
  • Decubitus Ulcers
  • Non-Healing Wounds

Aesthetics

  • Cellulite Reduction
  • Skin Tightening
  • Scar Tissue Treatment

Post-Surgical

  • Adhesion Breakdown
  • Scar Tissue
  • Stiffness Recovery
  • Accelerated Healing

Experience SoftWave in Columbia, MO

We use the most advanced shockwave device on the planet at SoftWave By MoloTherapy. Book your evaluation and feel the difference for yourself.

Ready to Give SoftWave a Shock?

If you're tired of pain, and you don't want any more pills, punctures, or procedures — give SoftWave a shock by Molotherapy.