Skip to main content

The Difference Between Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy

Written By Amplify Chiropractic and Wellness on July 8, 2024

person getting shockwave therapy on their elbowBoth radial shockwave therapy and focused shockwave therapy can relieve chronic pain and improve function, range of motion, and mobility. Each treatment option has a focus, and one might be more effective for you than the other. At Amplify Chiropractic and Wellness, our chiropractor Dr. Josh Rinaldi is committed to offering his patients drug-free pain relief and nonsurgical solutions for pain and dysfunction. We offer both radial and focused shockwave therapy in Poughkeepsie, NY.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a nonsurgical, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment option. During shockwave therapy, we use a small device to deliver acoustic shockwaves to targeted areas. As these shockwaves penetrate the skin, they stimulate natural healing responses in the body. Your body will release chemicals and hormones that promote healing, encourage blood flow, relieve pain and inflammation, and improve function and range of motion.

When Do You Need Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a treatment option for chronic pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion, and mobility problems caused by repetitive stress and overuse injuries. These injuries can strain, stress, or damage the tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Athletes, people who work out a lot, and people in demanding physical jobs are more likely to develop repetitive stress or overuse injuries. We can use shockwave therapy to treat foot, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and knee pain caused by:

  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Runner’s knee
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Pulled hamstring
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Calcific tendonitis
  • Heel spurs
  • Rotator cuff injury

What Are the Differences Between Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy?

Radial shockwave therapy is used to treat more extensive areas and uses three different components to provide treatment: ultrasonic pulse, audio acoustic pulse, and shear wave. Radial waves have a shallower treatment depth, as they lose energy the further they travel from their source. Radial shockwave therapy is ideal for superficial injuries.

Focused shockwave therapy uses a higher concentration of energy and has a deeper treatment area. Because it can penetrate deeper into the soft tissues, it can be used for treatment of more complex injuries like arthritis, shin splints, and stress fractures. Focused shockwave therapy is more precise and can be used to break apart calcifications near the bone.

Which Method of Shockwave Therapy Is Right for You?

Dr. Rinaldi and his team can help you determine which type of shockwave therapy is right for you. It will depend on what type of injury or injuries you have. If you have a condition that affects tissues closer to the surface of your skin, we will recommend radial shockwave therapy. If you have a deeper or more complex injury closer to the bone, we will recommend focused shockwave therapy. Call us today to schedule an appointment or contact us online with questions.


Posted In: Chiropractic Care Shockwave Therapy