SoftWave uses acoustic waves applied to a targeted area while the clinician and patient monitor sensitivity and response. The treatment is intended to stimulate a local tissue response without an incision or injection.
This article explains the basic process, what happens during a session, and why results can vary by condition, treatment area, timing, and the larger care plan.
How SoftWave Therapy Works
The device creates acoustic waves that spread through the selected treatment area. The clinician moves the applicator based on the anatomy, the patient’s feedback, and the area being evaluated.
The goal is to create a controlled local response that may support circulation, cellular activity, and tissue recovery. It does not guarantee the same result for every condition, and it is not a replacement for medical care when symptoms require imaging, medication, or surgery.
What Happens During a SoftWave Session
The clinician identifies the treatment area, applies the device, and adjusts the application based on comfort and feedback. A session may focus on one or more related areas when movement or sensitivity suggests that the point of pain is not the only factor.
After the session, MRT explains what activity is reasonable, what response to watch for, and when the next progress check should occur.
At the cellular level, SoftWave:
- Stimulates stem cells to migrate to the injured area
- Improves local blood flow and cellular activity
- Promotes tissue and nerve regeneration
- Reduces inflammation without structural damage
This is fundamentally different from treatments that mask symptoms. SoftWave creates the conditions for actual repair — which is why, when applied correctly, results tend to hold.
SoftWave is one component of our broader approach to non-invasive pain management. We also offer Class IV Laser, PEMF, and manual therapy — and frequently combine these when the case calls for it.
What the Research Says
SoftWave falls under the broader category of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) — a modality with a substantial body of published clinical research behind it.
Tendinopathy: Multiple meta-analyses confirm significant pain reduction across plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and lateral elbow tendinopathy. A 2024 meta-analysis in BMC Sports Science found meaningful pain reduction across all tendinopathy types studied.
Plantar fasciitis: High-quality evidence supports a large effect on both pain and function. One of the most consistently well-supported applications in the literature.
Rotator cuff: Studies show significant improvements in pain, range of motion, and daily function — including at 3 and 6-month follow-up, not just immediately post-treatment.
Chronic conditions: Research consistently supports shockwave therapy for long-standing injuries that have stalled or failed to respond to other conservative care.
The underlying mechanism — mechanotransduction — is well-established: acoustic waves create a cellular stimulus that tells damaged tissue to start repairing itself. This is biology, not placebo.
Worth noting: SoftWave is used by NFL and NBA teams and major medical centers including the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. That’s a signal that the technology has earned serious clinical credibility well beyond the chiropractic and PT world.
Note: SoftWave uses a specific unfocused electrohydraulic shockwave technology that differs from some ESWT devices. It covers a broader treatment area and is generally better tolerated, while sharing the same core regenerative mechanism studied in the research above.
When SoftWave May Be Considered
MRT may discuss the treatment for certain tendon, soft-tissue, plantar fascia, joint, or mobility concerns when basic rest or activity changes have not been enough. The decision should follow an evaluation rather than a diagnosis or symptom list alone.
In our experience, SoftWave produces the strongest results in:
Acute injuries: Recent tendon, ligament, or muscle injuries respond well because the tissue is already in an active healing state. SoftWave accelerates and amplifies that process.
Chronic pain: Long-standing joint, tendon, or nerve issues where healing has stalled. These take longer to fully resolve, but when the underlying dysfunction is correctly identified and treated, the response can be dramatic.
Post-surgical recovery: When tissue healed incompletely the first time, or pain returned months after surgery, SoftWave can restart the repair process in ways that follow-up injections or PT often can’t.
Cases where other treatments have failed: If you’ve tried cortisone shots, physical therapy, rest, or medication without lasting relief, that’s often a sign the root issue hasn’t been addressed. SoftWave works at the tissue level, not just the symptom level.
Why Results Vary
Results can vary because the condition, stage of healing, treatment location, activity level, and other health factors differ from person to person. A poor fit, an incomplete evaluation, or relying on one treatment when several factors are involved can also limit progress.
Treating the wrong location. The most common failure point. Pain is often referred — meaning where you feel it isn’t where it’s coming from. A provider who applies SoftWave to the symptom site without evaluating the full kinetic chain will get inconsistent results. We go deeper on this in our post on Is SoftWave Worth It?
Wrong condition for the tool. SoftWave is powerful, but it’s not the right answer for every type of pain. Structural instability, certain nerve conditions, and systemic inflammatory issues often require a different approach entirely.
Undertreated protocol. Too few pulses, wrong intensity, or sessions spaced incorrectly can mean the biological response never fully activates. Technique and protocol design matter as much as the technology.
This is why we don’t apply SoftWave automatically. Every client at MRT goes through a full evaluation first. If we don’t think SoftWave is the right tool, we’ll tell you — and point you toward something that is.
What to Expect From a SoftWave Session
If you’ve never tried SoftWave, here’s the practical reality:
Duration: Typically 15 minutes. At MRT, SoftWave is often combined with other modalities in the same visit to maximize treatment effectievness.
Sensation: Most clients describe it as a tapping or pressure sensation. Not painless, but well-tolerated. Sensitivity varies by location and condition severity.
After: Some clients feel relief the same day. Others notice improvement over the following 24–48 hours as the regenerative process kicks in. Mild soreness at the treatment site is normal and temporary.
Number of sessions: Acute injuries may respond in 2–4 sessions. Chronic or complex conditions typically need more. We’ll give you a realistic estimate after your evaluation.
How MRT Uses SoftWave Differently
Most clinics apply SoftWave the same way regardless of the patient. We don’t.
Before any SoftWave treatment at MRT, we identify exactly where the dysfunction is originating — not just where you’re feeling it. That evaluation determines whether SoftWave is even appropriate, where it should be applied, and whether combining it with other modalities like Class IV Laser or manual therapy would produce better results.
SoftWave is one of the most expensive therapies we offer. We’re not going to recommend it unless it’s genuinely the right call. If your issue can be resolved more simply, we’ll go that route.
You can read more about our SoftWave approach here, or see how it fits into our full pain management system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the acoustic wave feel like?
People often describe tapping or pulsing over the treatment area. Sensitivity can vary, and the clinician can adjust the application based on feedback.
How long is a session?
Session length depends on the area and the plan. MRT will explain the expected appointment time before treatment begins.
How soon should someone expect a change?
Response varies. Some people notice changes sooner than others, while certain conditions require several sessions and progress reviews. MRT should explain what reasonable progress looks like for the individual plan.