Most people who walk into our Tampa clinic with chronic pain have already tried adjustments, stretches, injections, or even surgery. They still hurt. SoftWave therapy is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared option that helps the body heal at the cellular level instead of just covering up symptoms.
This guide explains what SoftWave therapy is, how it works, what it treats, what a session feels like, and what you can expect from your results. If you’ve been searching for an answer to chronic pain that doesn’t involve medication or surgery, this is a good place to start.
What is SoftWave therapy?
SoftWave therapy is a brand of unfocused, low-intensity electrohydraulic shockwave therapy. It is made by SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies and is used in chiropractic offices, pain clinics, and orthopedic practices across the country.
The technology is FDA 510(k) cleared for the treatment of chronic foot pain (plantar fasciitis) and for the improvement of blood flow. Licensed providers also use it for a wider range of musculoskeletal conditions based on the body of clinical evidence supporting acoustic wave therapy.
Here is the simplest way to think about it. SoftWave is the brand name of a regenerative medicine device. Tissue regeneration is what the device is designed to trigger. It uses sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, not to mask pain.
How does SoftWave therapy work?
The science in plain English
A handheld applicator delivers acoustic (sound) waves through the skin and into the deeper layers of tissue. These waves create small pressure changes inside the cells. Those pressure changes do not damage tissue. They wake it up.
When the body senses this gentle mechanical stress, it responds the way it would respond to a fresh injury that needs healing. It sends more blood, more growth factors, and more stem cells to the area.
What happens inside the body
Three main things are documented in the research on acoustic wave therapy.
First, increased blood flow. The waves stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. More blood means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to damaged tissue.
Second, stem cell activation. Your body has resident stem cells that stay dormant until they are needed. SoftWave therapy recruits these cells to the injury site, where they help repair damaged tissue.
Third, reduced inflammation. The therapy modulates the inflammatory process, calming chronic inflammation while encouraging the healthy, short-term inflammation needed for repair.
Focused vs. unfocused shock waves
This is where SoftWave differs from older shockwave devices. Traditional shockwave therapy uses focused, high-intensity waves aimed at a single point. It can be effective, but it is often painful and treats only a small area at a time.
SoftWave uses unfocused, low-intensity waves. The energy spreads out over a broader area as it enters the body. That makes the treatment more comfortable and lets one session cover a larger zone of tissue.
SoftWave therapy vs. traditional shockwave therapy
Patients often ask if SoftWave is the same as traditional shockwave therapy. The answer is no. They use the same family of physics, but the experience and the treatment profile are different.
| Feature | SoftWave | Traditional shockwave |
| Wave type | Unfocused, electrohydraulic | Focused, radial or electromagnetic |
| Intensity | Low | High |
| Discomfort | Mild pressure | Often painful |
| Treatment area | Broad zone | Pinpoint target |
| Typical sessions | 3 to 6 | 6 to 10 |
| Best for | Soft tissue regeneration | Targeted calcifications, bone issues |
The bottom line: SoftWave is generally more comfortable and treats a wider area in fewer sessions. Traditional focused shockwave still has a place in clinical practice, especially for specific bone or calcification issues.
What does SoftWave therapy treat?
We use SoftWave therapy at Sunset Chiropractic Tampa for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis, chronic foot and ankle pain, knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff and shoulder problems, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, hip pain, lower back pain, sciatica, neuropathy, and post-injury soft tissue damage.
It is not a fit for every condition or every patient. Some problems need surgery, some need different forms of conservative care, and some respond best to a combination of SoftWave plus chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation.
If you are dealing with any of these issues, you can learn more on our condition-specific pages: foot and ankle, knee pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, and wrist and hand pain.
What to expect at your SoftWave therapy session
Every patient at our Tampa office starts with a consultation and an exam. Before we recommend SoftWave, we want to know exactly what is going on, what has already been tried, and whether your condition is a good fit for this kind of care.
Once we decide SoftWave is appropriate, the session itself is straightforward. We apply a thin layer of gel to the treatment area, similar to what you may have experienced with ultrasound. The applicator is moved slowly across the area while it delivers the acoustic waves. A session typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes.
Most patients describe the sensation as a strong tapping or thumping pressure. It is noticeable, but it is not painful. There is no downtime. You can walk out and go back to work, the gym, or whatever else you had planned.
A typical course of care runs three to six sessions, usually spaced about a week apart. Some patients feel relief after the first session. Others notice it building over several weeks as the body’s healing response unfolds.
“What surprises most of my patients is how gentle SoftWave actually is,” says Dr. Jeff Moody. “They expect something aggressive based on the word ‘shockwave,’ and instead they describe it as a deep, rhythmic pressure. Then a few weeks later they are doing things they could not do before.”
How long do SoftWave therapy results last?
SoftWave therapy results often last for months to years because the treatment is helping the body heal damaged tissue, not just covering up symptoms.
Many patients feel some improvement within the first one to three sessions. The full healing response continues for up to twelve weeks after your final session, as the stimulated tissue continues to regenerate. Once tissue has healed, it stays healed unless it gets re-injured.
For patients with chronic conditions or high-impact lifestyles, occasional maintenance sessions every few months can help keep the response going. The right plan depends on your condition and your goals.
SoftWave therapy side effects and safety
SoftWave therapy is considered very safe, with minimal side effects.
The most common side effect is mild soreness or redness in the treated area, which usually resolves within 24 to 48 hours. A small number of patients notice a temporary uptick in symptoms before they improve. This is normal and reflects the healing response the therapy is designed to trigger.
There is no anesthesia, no medication, and no recovery time required.
That said, SoftWave is not for everyone. The therapy is not recommended if you are pregnant, have active cancer in the treatment area, have a blood clotting disorder or take anticoagulants, have open wounds or active infections at the treatment site, or have a pacemaker (depending on placement and treatment area).
This is why a thorough consultation matters before any patient starts care.
How much does SoftWave therapy cost in Tampa?
SoftWave therapy pricing varies based on the clinic, the condition being treated, and the number of sessions in your plan. Nationally, you can expect a range of roughly $100 to $400 per session, with most patients needing three to six sessions for a full course of care.
We will publish a dedicated guide on SoftWave cost in Tampa soon. In the meantime, the most accurate answer for your specific situation comes from a consultation. We can tell you exactly what your plan would look like once we understand your condition.
Is SoftWave therapy covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans do not cover SoftWave therapy because it is considered an elective or investigational treatment. Medicare does not currently cover it either.
Many clinics, including ours, offer package pricing or payment options to make care more accessible. We have a dedicated insurance guide on the way that will cover your options in detail.
Is SoftWave therapy right for you?
SoftWave is a strong option for the right patient. It is not a fix for every kind of pain.
You may be a good candidate if you have a chronic pain or soft tissue condition that has not responded to traditional care, you want to avoid surgery or long-term pain medication, you are looking for a non-invasive option, or your condition involves tendons, joints, ligaments, or other soft tissue.
You may want to look at other options if you have one of the contraindications listed above, your condition requires surgical intervention, or you are expecting an instant fix. SoftWave works with your body’s healing process. That process takes time, even if the sessions themselves are short.
The best way to know is a consultation.
Try SoftWave Therapy at Sunset Chiropractic Tampa
We added SoftWave to our Tampa practice because it gives us a way to help patients who have run out of other options. Adjustments, soft tissue work, and rehabilitation all do their job. SoftWave adds a regenerative layer that the body’s other care could not always reach.
If you are ready to find out whether SoftWave is right for your situation, we would like to meet you.
You can also learn more about SoftWave at our clinic or meet Dr. Moody.
SoftWave therapy FAQ
Does SoftWave therapy actually work?
Yes, for the right conditions in the right patients. Clinical research and clinical experience support SoftWave for chronic foot pain, tendon injuries, joint pain, and soft tissue conditions. Results vary by person and condition, but most patients see meaningful improvement after a full course of care.
Is SoftWave therapy legit?
SoftWave therapy is FDA 510(k) cleared and is used in chiropractic, orthopedic, and pain management practices across the country. The underlying technology, acoustic shockwave therapy, has been studied for decades. It is a legitimate, science-backed treatment when delivered by a trained provider.
How many SoftWave therapy sessions do I need?
Most patients need three to six sessions for a full course of care, usually spaced about a week apart. Some respond faster, others need more. Your provider should give you a clear estimate after evaluating your condition.
Is SoftWave therapy painful?
No. Most patients describe SoftWave as a firm tapping or thumping pressure. It is noticeable, but it is not painful. This is one of the main differences between SoftWave and older focused shockwave devices.
How is SoftWave different from a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment restores motion to a joint. SoftWave therapy stimulates tissue regeneration at the cellular level. They are not competing treatments. They work well together, which is why we offer both at Sunset Chiropractic Tampa.
Can I do SoftWave therapy if I’m seeing another provider?
Yes, in most cases. SoftWave is non-invasive and does not interfere with most other treatments. Tell your provider about any care you are currently receiving so we can build a plan that works alongside it.