What is a Shock Wave?
Shock waves are made when something moves through the air faster than the speed of sound. Some real life examples are when a supersonic jet breaks the sound barrier (in dry air at 20 °C and 767 mph), it creates a sonic boom or shock wave that can break windows miles away. When lightning strikes, the air heats up and charges molecules forming plasma gas that explodes creating a shock wave we call thunder. A bullet, bullwhip, or the snap of a flag in the wind all cause shock waves. Shock waves can move through water, but it takes 5 times as much energy as it does for them to move through air. It was discovered in WWII that shock waves were capable of affecting cells in the body and the search for successful medical applications began.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
In 1980, the first high power extracorporeal (outside the body) shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was used to break up kidney stones in a patient sitting in a tub of water. It was powered by the first electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripter. A high voltage spark charged water particles creating a plasma gas bubble that exploded producing a shock wave traveling through the water into the patient. Over time, some companies stopped using electrohydraulic technology and switched to ultrasound or a ballistic hitting an end plate that vibrates producing radial waves. Another method used piezoelectric vibrators, which make great alarm buzzers. Another combined piezoelectric and ballistic, focused the waves to achieve a "shockwave". A plasma gas bubble explosion vs. a ballistic never breaking the sound barrier hitting an endplate. It's not surprising that the industry is very skeptical and confused about shock wave technology and find it hard to easily embrace.
Shock Wave, Radial Wave, Ultrasound Wave
From the actual plots of a shock wave, radial wave and ultrasonic wave, it's plain to see the latter two are NOT a real shock wave. They are acoustic radial or sinusoidal waves...NOT shockwaves. The small rise time of the radial wave is the total time of the shock wave. This rise time does not produce a shock wave. However, if you visit the technology sections of STOLZ (FDA classified as a massager) and GAINSWave, both have drawings claiming their device produce a shock wave plot without their ballistic breaking the sound barrier. PulseWave's ballistic hits a piston that pushes a wave of water. All these and more are all marketed as "shockwave" devices. It changes the physics of real shock waves into a marketing term. Watch Radial Wave Treatment vs. True Shock Wave Treatment on Planter Fasciitis and ask yourself if you had planter fasciitis...which device would you rather have your practitioner use?
Advancing Spark Wave Technology
Understanding the need to further develop spark wave technology, MTS Medical was founded in Germany. This technology produces a fast, high-energy shock wave that compresses cells and is followed by a slightly negative pulse that triggers the body's natural healing process without hurting the tissues or causing trauma. MTS Medical has many years of research, white papers, case studies, and testimonials all based on Spark Wave technology. Experts like Dr. Irwin Goldstein and Dr. Tom Lue's research, case studies, papers, and books are all based on real shockwaves, it's not based on acoustic waves that mimic or try to confuse the doctor and the public that they're getting shock waves when they're getting an acoustic formed wave. The research, case studies, papers, articles, clinical trials produced using these other technologies can't be compared to real shock wave technology research and results. They are not the same.
Radial Wave Technology vs. Spark Wave Technology
SoftWave® TRT US Patented Applicator
In 2004, SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies LLC was founded in Georgia USA spearheading ESWT research and clinical studies in the United States and worldwide. The strategic partnership between SoftWave® TRT and MTS Medical have received over 30 US patents for advancements made to current technology and procedures. "One of the greatest achievements is the development of the US patented unfocused SoftWave OP155 Applicator—the flagship treatment applicator for deep wound healing and tissue regeneration." It seems as though new medical conditions benefiting from this technology are being discovered every day. Today, SoftWave's applicator produces 2 shock waves. One, being reflected by the patented parabolic design that covers the area of a soup can. The second occurs when this force extends beyond the parabolic reflector looking like the mushroom cloud of a nuclear blast. This not only creates linear parallel shock waves it creates a perpendicular shock wave too. This is a must see video simulating SoftWave's applicator releasing 2 shockwaves. The benefits of abruptly pushing cells in multiple directions without damaging them is not yet fully understood. However, one thing is clear, "this patented technology does not exist anywhere else on the planet."
StemWave and ViaSure
In 2017 Dr. DiDuro (The Chief Medical Officer of SoftWave TRT) began marketing SoftWave® as StemWave® because of its ability to energize dormant stem cells to heal the body naturally. With the desire to expand their market share, SoftWave TRT announced an exclusive agreement to supply Cynosure LLC (marketed as ViaSure) with its patented SoftWave TRT devices for distribution in the United States and Canada. SoftWave TRT's Orthogold 100 with the OP155 applicator are FDA 510(k) cleared for activation of connective tissues, treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers, treatment of acute second-degree burns, temporary pain reduction and improved blood supply, which reduces inflammation and pain. Currently, the FDA considers all other potential indications as experimental, and is under compassionate or off-label use. With all the shockwave devices in the market that deceive doctors and the public, we don't blame anyone for finding it difficult to trust and completely embrace real shock wave technology. Once experienced, the choice is clear!
Radial Wave Technology vs. Spark Wave Technology
Shock Wave Therapy
The Definitive Conclusion
Shock Waved Therapy is nothing new. It has been used successfully in medical applications since 1980. A problem has occured in the medical industry with the change to ballistic radial (focused and unfocused) devices equating themselves to a spark wave technology. Anyone who reads the technology sections of websites like STOLZ and GAINSWave, will quickly realize radial waves are NOT shock waves. All the case studies, research, testimonials are valid for effects of radial acoustic waves with a massager head on the condition treated. Unfortunately, it can not be compared to real shock wave therapy of real shock wave devices. This creates FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) amongst the public, medical practitioners, and regulating agencies in the United States.
Therefore, ballistic radial wave "shockwave" practitioners don't know what they have. On the other hand, practitioners who use sparkwave, softwave, stemwave or the other names given to real lightning and thunder shock wave therapy...don't understand fully what they have because more conditions are being discovered with a device that is being found beneficial to nearly any area treated on the body.
SoftWave® Shock Wave Technology in Idaho Falls, ID
You don't have to fly to Atlanta Pain Institute to be treated by Dr. Diduro or San Diego to see Dr Irwin Goldstein to be treated with SoftWave Technology, you can be treated with the same SoftWave® Technology for a wide variety of conditions right here in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
***For more conditions treated and video testimonials, Click on the conditions located here.***