The Difference between Radial and Focussed Shockwave

What's so special about the Piezowave 2 Technology?

Until recently I was under the impression that radial shock wave therapy, the technology more commonly used by many other practices, involves the same principle as the focussed shock wave (ESWT) described in the original literature. It does not.

As it turns out, the entire research on the effectiveness and mechanisms of shock wave therapy was originally done using focused shockwave technology - the kind of shock wave generated by piezoelectric technology.

 There are several important benefits of a focused ESWT using the Piezowave 2 Therapy device:

* Direct focusing piezoelectric technology for minimal pain during treatment

* Well defined, precise focus – perfect for diagnosis and therapy

* Finely adjustable penetration depth

* Independently adjustable penetration depth and intensity setting

* Trigger points can be diagnosed and specifically treated

The key differences of focused shock wave therapy are derived in the way in which it is delivered. Radial shock waves are generated using mechanical energy from a simple mechanical hammer. The result is the pressure wave first impacts the skin, moving divergently or spreading (not focused) through the body. The maximum effect of radial shock waves is therefore at the surface of the skin, with dissipating levels penetrating into the tissue. Within a penetration depth of 5-10mm, a practically undetectable dosage impacts the tissue. 

In contrast, focused shock wave therapy delivers the greatest amount of energy into a focused point at a determined depth in the body and penetrates accurately into deep tissue layers (from 5mm to 40mm) where the problem actually is.

Both radial and focussed forms of shockwave therapy have been proven effective. Shockwave therapy works! However, the studies that have compared radial vs focused SWT have largely concluded that focused shockwave therapy has an advantage. This, along with the other benefits mentioned above, are the reasons CK Physiotherapy elected to go with Piezowave 2 as our preferred shockwave technology.