Radial Vs Focussed Shockwave
What’s The Difference And Why It Matters To You
Shockwave therapy has been around for years and now many clinics use it. Most of what’s out there, though, is radial shockwave. It’s great technology and has helped thousands of people recover from injury and get out of pain. We know, because we’ve used it for years ourselves and we’re big believers in it.
But like most things in life, one size doesn’t fit all. And that’s where focused shockwave comes in.
How Shockwave Works
Both types use acoustic energy (sound waves) to stimulate healing. These waves kick start your body’s own repair process, improving blood flow, helping new tissue grow, breaking down stubborn scar tissue, and reducing pain.
The key difference is how far and how accurately the energy travels.
A radial shockwave is like a ripple spreading across a pond. It starts strong at the surface and gradually fades as it goes deeper. That makes it perfect for treating more superficial problems, such as:
- Plantar fasciitis (also known as Policeman’s Foot)
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendinopathy (the upper part, near the skin)
- Shoulder or knee pain near the surface
- Calcific tendonitis
It’s safe, effective and widely available. We have several radial machines at our clinic because they deliver great results when used for the right problems.
Focused Shockwave. The Specialist Tool
Focused shockwave is a very different animal, and it’s rarely available in the UK. Instead of spreading out, it converges at a specific point deep in the tissue. Think of it like using a magnifying glass to focus sunlight. The energy can reach far deeper and be positioned much more precisely, even pinpointing structures several centimetres below the skin.
This opens the door to treating things that radial shockwave simply can’t reach:
- Deep-seated tendon and muscle injuries
- Bone stress or delayed healing
- Chronic hip, back or pelvic pain
- Conditions that have resisted other forms of treatment
It’s horses for courses
At the Nicky Snazell Clinic, we use both technologies because we know they each have their place. If the injury is close to the surface, radial shockwave is ideal as it’s efficient, comfortable and proven.
But if the problem lies deeper, a focused Radial Shockwave is the tool for the job. It can go right to the source of the pain with pinpoint accuracy, triggering the healing process exactly where it’s needed.
Why this matters to you
Very few clinics have focused shockwave, and they rely on radial shockwave, which limits what they can treat.
By having both radial and focused shockwave, we can match the treatment to the condition, not the other way round. That means faster recovery, longer-lasting results, and fewer frustrations when a stubborn injury just won’t shift.
Focused shockwave represents a big leap forward in non-invasive healing. And, as you’ll see in our next blog, it’s not just a new gadget, it’s part of a much bigger step in precision pain treatment.
If you are in pain and nothing has helped, then our combination of both radial and focused shockwave might just be the technology that makes the difference.