Shockwave Therapy (ESWT or AWT) is a non-invasive treatment technique that uses high-energy sound waves (shock waves) to stimulate tissue regeneration, improve microcirculation, and promote collagen production. First used in the 1980s for lithotripsy (such as for kidney stones), it has now been widely adopted in medical and cosmetic applications. The treatment typically takes only 5-15 minutes, requires no anesthesia, and has a short recovery period (almost no downtime), but 4-8 treatments are required to see results.
The core mechanisms of shockwave include:
- Mechanical stimulation: Shockwaves disrupt fibrous tissue, promoting stem cell activation and angiogenesis.
- Biological effects: Enhanced lymphatic drainage, reduced inflammation, and increased metabolism (such as VEGF and IL-8 secretion, promoting endothelial progenitor cell proliferation).
- Type differentiation: Radial shockwave (Radial SWT) is suitable for superficial tissues (such as skin), with diffused energy; Focused shockwave (Focused SWT) targets deeper tissues (such as muscle and fat), with concentrated energy.
Let me explain a question that many people are concerned about.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does a shockwave machine do? | Generates high-energy acoustic waves (shockwaves) to mechanically stimulate tissues, promoting angiogenesis, collagen regeneration, lymphatic drainage, fat breakdown, and pain relief. |
| Is shockwave therapy healthy? | Safe & healthy (FDA-approved for multiple indications), non-invasive, no radiation, extremely low side effects — superior to surgery. Requires certified equipment + professional operation. |
| Can we do shockwave at home? | Not recommended. Home devices have low energy and uncontrollable parameters — risk of ineffectiveness or injury. Clinic-only for safety and efficacy. |
| What are the negative side effects of shockwave therapy? | Mild: localized redness, bruising, tingling (<24h resolution). Rare: skin abrasion (due to poor technique). No systemic side effects. |
| Can you do shockwave daily? | No. Recommended interval: 3–7 days, 1–2 sessions/week. Daily use inhibits tissue repair and increases inflammation risk. |
| How long do results from shockwave last? | Medical (e.g., tendinitis): 6–12 months (with rehab). Beauty (e.g., skin tightening/cellulite): 3–6 months (needs maintenance + lifestyle). |
| Which is better, shockwave or P-Shot? | Different purposes: • ED (erectile dysfunction): Shockwave > P-Shot (stronger evidence: 60–80% vs ~50% improvement). • Instant volume: P-Shot wins. Recommendation: Start with 6 shockwave sessions for ED; add P-Shot if volume is desired. |
| Is focused shockwave therapy painful? | Mild-to-moderate stinging or throbbing (“rubber band snap”) — tolerable, no anesthesia needed. Use cooling spray or low energy for sensitive areas. |
| How long do focused shockwave therapy procedures take? | 5–15 minutes per area. Face: ~5 min; thighs/buttocks: 10–15 min. |
| How many should I recommend to my patients? | Standard protocols: • Medical (tendinitis/ED): 6–8 sessions, weekly. • Beauty (tightening/cellulite): 6–10 sessions, 1–2x/week. Add 2–4 maintenance sessions based on response. |
| Are there any differences between radial and focused shockwaves? | Yes: • Radial: Shallow (0–3 cm), diffuse — ideal for skin, cellulite, lymph. • Focused: Deep (3–12 cm), precise — best for tendons, fat, ED. Face = radial; deep body = focused. |
| What is the frequency range of a shockwave machine? What does it affect? | Frequency: 1–20 Hz (pulses per second). • Low (1–8 Hz): Deep repair, pain relief (stem cell activation). • High (12–20 Hz): Superficial tightening, lymph drainage (metabolism boost). Must match target tissue — otherwise ineffective or overstimulating. |
If you have any further questions, please contact us. Consultations and advice are free!
