"Acoustic wave therapy" is not a distinct treatment with its own definition. It's an umbrella marketing term used for shockwave devices and for related pressure-wave devices that aren't strictly shockwave at all. That vagueness is exactly why it's worth asking questions.
The terminology, untangled
- Shockwave therapy / shock wave therapy — the treatment category.
- ESWT, extracorporeal shock wave therapy — the clinical name used in research.
- Acoustic wave therapy — a marketing term that may refer to a true shockwave device or to a softer pressure-wave device.
- SoftWave — a specific brand of broad-focused shockwave device.
Why the label matters less than the device
Two clinics can both advertise "acoustic wave therapy" and be using genuinely different equipment. One might have a true focused or broad-focused shockwave system; another might have a low-energy vibration device. The advertisement doesn't tell you which.
What to ask before you book
- What device do you use, by name and type — radial, focused, or broad-focused?
- What did the exam find, and why is this the right tool for it?
- How many sessions, over how long, and what's the total cost?
- What am I doing between visits?
Where we stand
We use SoftWave, a broad-focused shockwave system, at all three West Michigan clinics — and we'll tell you if your exam suggests shockwave isn't the right answer for your problem. Coverage for shockwave varies by insurance plan, so we verify benefits and quote self-pay clearly before anything starts.