The mechanical part we can state plainly
A shockwave is a rapid pressure wave. In therapy, a device produces those waves and an applicator transmits them through the skin into the tissue beneath. Gel is used because acoustic energy transmits poorly across air gaps. The clinician controls intensity and how the applicator moves across the treatment area.
Beyond that, discussion of biological mechanisms gets speculative quickly. Laboratory and clinical research has explored several proposed tissue responses to shockwave, and that work continues. We would rather describe it as a mechanical stimulus under active study than repeat mechanism claims as settled science.
Why the device type matters
Shockwave devices differ in how energy is produced and how it distributes through tissue — focused systems converge energy toward a depth, radial systems spread it more superficially from the applicator face. Published reviews have specifically warned against treating the two as equivalent. SoftWave is one technology within the broader category.
What a session feels like
Tapping. Pulsing. Pressure. On a heel, an elbow or a bony shoulder, that can feel more intense than on fleshier areas, and some people find part of a session mildly uncomfortable while others barely notice it. Settings can usually be adjusted to your tolerance. What we will not tell you is that it's painless for everyone.
What decides the plan
- The condition and how irritable it currently is
- Clinical findings from your examination
- How you respond after initial treatment
- The activities you're trying to return to
- Your individual needs and medical history
We deliberately don't publish a fixed session count or protocol. Anyone quoting one before examining you is quoting a package, not a plan.