Clearing Up the Confusion
SoftWave and Sofwave
Are Not the Same Thing
One letter separates two entirely different companies, technologies, and medical purposes. If you're searching for pain relief, here's exactly what you need to know before booking a session anywhere.
Tissue Regeneration
Medical Ltd.
Why the Confusion Happens
The Names Are Nearly Identical.
The Technologies Are Not.
"SoftWave" (with a capital W, by Tissue Regeneration Technologies) and "Sofwave" (one word, by Israeli public company Sofwave Medical Ltd.) are two separate companies that happen to have very similar names. The similarity is coincidental — they were developed independently for entirely different medical markets. The confusion is genuine and common, and it's exactly why this page exists.
At SoftWave Long Island, we use SoftWave TRT — the electrohydraulic shockwave device cleared by the FDA for pain relief, increased blood flow, and connective tissue activation. We do not offer, nor are we affiliated with, Sofwave Medical or their cosmetic ultrasound technology.
The rest of this page explains exactly how the two technologies work, what each is designed to treat, and what the FDA has — and has not — cleared each device to do.
The Science
Different Physics. Different Depth. Different Results.
The core difference is not branding — it's physics. The two devices generate energy in fundamentally different ways and deliver it to completely different layers of the body.
Electrohydraulic True Shockwave
A high-voltage spark discharge in water creates a plasma bubble that collapses, generating a true acoustic shockwave. SoftWave TRT's patented parabolic reflector captures and re-directs that energy into a broad, parallel beam — reaching both superficial and deep tissue simultaneously in a single pass.
- Energy type: True acoustic shockwave
- Generator: Electrohydraulic spark discharge
- Applicator: Flexible silicon membrane conforms to body contours
- Treatment zone: ~120mm wide × up to 30mm deep — in one pass
- Biological targets: Stem cell recruitment, angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth), inflammation modulation, tissue repair
- Sensation: Mild to moderate; biofeedback — patients feel it over inflamed tissue
SUPERB™ Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam
Sofwave Medical's device uses ultrasound energy — not shockwaves — deposited within a precisely targeted layer of the dermis (the middle layer of skin). The goal is to create controlled thermal injury in the collagen matrix, triggering the skin's wound-healing response to produce new collagen and elastin over several months.
- Energy type: Therapeutic ultrasound (not shockwave)
- Generator: Multi-element transducer array
- Applicator: Small, rigid plastic — intended for facial/body contour use
- Treatment zone: Shallow dermal layer only (~1–2mm depth)
- Biological targets: Collagen and elastin remodeling in skin dermis
- Sensation: Mild warmth; no significant patient discomfort
Full Comparison
SoftWave TRT vs. Sofwave Medical:
Every Key Difference
The table below compares the two devices across every dimension that matters to a patient choosing a treatment.
| Category | 🔵 SoftWave TRT Used at SoftWave Long Island |
🟡 Sofwave Medical Aesthetic clinics & med spas |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Tissue Regeneration Technologies (TRT) — USA | Sofwave Medical Ltd. (TASE: SOFW) — Israel (publicly traded) |
| Technology | Electrohydraulic true shockwave with parabolic reflector True Shockwave (ESWT) |
SUPERB™ Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Therapeutic Ultrasound |
| Primary Purpose | Chronic pain relief, musculoskeletal healing, tissue regeneration | Cosmetic skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, collagen stimulation |
| FDA Status | FDA 510(k) Cleared — Class II Medical Device Cleared for specific medical indications |
FDA 510(k) Cleared — for cosmetic indications (wrinkles, lax skin, cellulite improvement) Cosmetic clearance only |
| FDA-Cleared Indications | Pain relief, increased local blood circulation, connective tissue activation, chronic diabetic foot ulcers, acute second-degree burns | Improvement of facial lines and wrinkles, eyebrow lifting, submental laxity, arm skin laxity, short-term cellulite appearance |
| Tissue Depth | Superficial and deep — up to 30mm in a single pass | Dermis layer only — approximately 1–2mm depth |
| Treatment Area per Pass | >120mm wide — broad coverage of joints, muscles, tendons | Small transducer head — localized to treatment spot |
| Applicator Design | Flexible silicon membrane — conforms to body contours | Rigid plastic head — designed for flat skin surfaces |
| Stem Cell Recruitment | Yes — peer-reviewed evidence for CD34+ stem cell recruitment and tissue repair | Not the mechanism — collagen stimulation through controlled thermal injury |
| Angiogenesis (New Blood Vessels) | Yes — stimulates VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) to form new microvessels | Not a primary outcome |
| Clinical Research | Extensive publicly available peer-reviewed library across orthopedics, podiatry, urology, wound care | Clinical data published for aesthetic outcomes (wrinkle reduction, skin tightening) |
| R&D Investment | $20M+ in device and clinical research | Disclosed as part of Sofwave Medical's public company filings |
| Who Uses It | Orthopedic clinics, chiropractic offices, physical therapy, sports medicine, wound care | Medical spas, aesthetic dermatology clinics, cosmetic surgery centers |
| Institutional Adoption | Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Stanford, UCLA, UCSF, Georgetown, Hospital for Special Surgery + NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC | ~2,700 systems in aesthetic practices globally (Sofwave 2025 annual report) |
| Session Length | 5–15 minutes per area | 30–45 minutes for full facial treatment |
| Conditions Treated at SoftWave Long Island | Knee pain, plantar fasciitis, back pain, shoulder pain, tendonitis, arthritis, carpal tunnel, sports injuries, Achilles tendinopathy, and more | Not offered — different device category |
Regulatory Status
Both Are FDA-Cleared.
For Completely Different Things.
An important nuance: both devices have FDA clearance — but the term "FDA-cleared" only means what it's cleared for. The clearance categories could not be more different.
Cleared for Medical Indications
The FDA granted SoftWave TRT 510(k) clearance as a Class II medical device — a higher regulatory standard that required demonstrating the device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed predicate for specific medical conditions.
Cleared indications include: pain relief, increased local blood circulation, connective tissue activation, chronic diabetic foot ulcers, and acute second-degree burns.
Class II devices are subject to more regulatory oversight than Class I, and must comply with general controls and special controls. This is the same regulatory class as CT scanner software and powered wheelchairs.
Cleared for Cosmetic Indications
Sofwave Medical's device holds FDA 510(k) clearance for cosmetic indications — specifically, improvement of facial lines and wrinkles, brow lifting, skin laxity in the submental area and arms, and short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
This is an entirely separate regulatory pathway and clearance category. Sofwave's FDA clearance does not authorize it for pain management, musculoskeletal healing, or any of the conditions treated by SoftWave TRT.
Both clearances are legitimate within their intended use — they simply authorize completely different applications.
Right Treatment, Right Patient
Who Should Seek Each Treatment
These devices serve genuinely different patient populations. Knowing which one you need before you book a session can save you time, money, and frustration.
SoftWave TRT (at SoftWave Long Island)
For patients dealing with pain and injury
- Chronic knee pain, including arthritis and meniscal conditions
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Lower back pain and sciatica
- Shoulder pain, rotator cuff conditions
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
- Hip pain and bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sports injuries: meniscal tears, strains, overuse injuries
- Chronic diabetic foot ulcers
- Patients who want to avoid surgery or injections
- Athletes seeking accelerated recovery
Sofwave Medical
For patients seeking cosmetic skin improvement
- Facial wrinkle reduction and skin tightening
- Eyebrow and brow lifting (non-surgical)
- Submental (under-chin) laxity improvement
- Arm skin laxity
- Short-term improvement in cellulite appearance
- Collagen stimulation for aesthetic purposes
- Acne scar treatment
- Patients seeking cosmetic dermatology outcomes
Note: If you're looking for Sofwave Medical aesthetic treatments, you'll find them at medical spas and dermatology offices — not at SoftWave Long Island.
Why SoftWave Long Island Uses SoftWave TRT
The Device Trusted by Elite Medicine
and Professional Sports
"How can you be treating sports injuries without SoftWave?"— Dr. Martin O'Malley, Team Physician · Brooklyn Nets, NY Giants & USA Basketball
SoftWave Long Island was one of the original SoftWave TRT providers on Long Island. We chose this technology because of its FDA 510(k) clearance for specific medical indications, the depth and breadth of its peer-reviewed research library, and its track record at the highest levels of sports medicine and academic medicine.
SoftWave TRT maintains a publicly available research library at softwavetrt.com/research, with peer-reviewed publications in pain management, sports medicine, podiatry, urology, and wound care. If you're making a decision about which shockwave therapy device or provider to trust, start there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About
SoftWave vs. Sofwave
Is SoftWave the same as Sofwave?
No. SoftWave (by Tissue Regeneration Technologies, or SoftWave TRT) and Sofwave (by Sofwave Medical Ltd.) are two entirely separate companies with different technologies, different FDA clearances, and different medical purposes.
SoftWave TRT uses electrohydraulic true shockwave technology to treat chronic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, and tissue injuries. Sofwave Medical uses SUPERB™ ultrasound technology to treat cosmetic skin concerns like wrinkles and skin laxity. One letter separates their names — but their clinical applications are completely different.
I searched for "shockwave therapy" and found Sofwave — is that what I need for pain?
Almost certainly not. If you're seeking treatment for pain (knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, back pain, sports injuries), you want a true shockwave therapy device like SoftWave TRT — not Sofwave Medical's cosmetic ultrasound system.
Sofwave Medical's device is designed for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction in aesthetic and cosmetic settings. It reaches only the superficial dermis layer of the skin. It is not designed or clinically validated for musculoskeletal pain or tissue healing.
Does SoftWave Long Island offer Sofwave Medical treatments?
No. SoftWave Long Island uses SoftWave TRT exclusively — the electrohydraulic true shockwave device cleared by the FDA for pain relief, blood flow improvement, and connective tissue activation. We do not offer cosmetic ultrasound treatments and are not affiliated with Sofwave Medical Ltd.
If you're looking for Sofwave Medical aesthetic treatments, you'll find them at medical spas and cosmetic dermatology clinics.
Are both devices FDA-cleared?
Yes — but for completely different purposes. SoftWave TRT is FDA 510(k) cleared as a Class II medical device for pain relief, increased blood circulation, connective tissue activation, chronic diabetic foot ulcers, and acute second-degree burns.
Sofwave Medical holds FDA 510(k) clearance for cosmetic indications: improving facial lines and wrinkles, lifting the brow and submental area, addressing arm skin laxity, and short-term cellulite improvement.
FDA clearance only authorizes a device for the specific indications listed in its clearance. Sofwave Medical's clearance does not authorize treatment of pain, musculoskeletal injuries, or any of the conditions SoftWave TRT treats.
What conditions does SoftWave TRT treat?
SoftWave TRT is used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions, including: knee pain (arthritis, meniscal conditions), plantar fasciitis and heel pain, lower back pain, shoulder pain and rotator cuff conditions, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, hip pain and bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, and chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
At SoftWave Long Island, most patients see meaningful improvement within 3–6 weekly sessions, with optimal results at 8–12 weeks following treatment.
How does SoftWave TRT compare to traditional shockwave therapy?
SoftWave TRT is a form of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), but with key differences from traditional focused or radial shockwave devices. The patented parabolic reflector creates a broad-focused, parallel wave field that treats a much wider and deeper area per pulse than focused-point or radial devices — without requiring anesthesia and with less patient discomfort.
Traditional focused shockwave converges energy at a single narrow point. Radial shockwave (the most common type found in physical therapy offices) generates pressure waves — not true shockwaves — and provides shallower, lower-energy treatment. SoftWave TRT's broad-focused true shockwave sits in a distinct category that offers wider tissue coverage and deeper biological penetration in a single pass.
What does a SoftWave TRT session at SoftWave Long Island involve?
A session begins with a thorough evaluation of your condition, pain history, and treatment goals. A water-based gel is applied to the skin over the treatment area. The SoftWave TRT device is then applied, delivering broad-focused shockwaves. Sessions typically take 5–15 minutes per area — there's no anesthesia, no needles, and no downtime.
Most patients notice improvement after the first session. Full treatment protocols are typically one session per week for 3–10 weeks. Optimal long-term results generally occur 8–12 weeks after completing treatment.
New patients can book an introductory session for $39 (regularly $250) at any of our three Long Island locations: Long Beach, Levittown, or Hauppauge.
Is the SoftWave TRT treatment painful?
Most patients describe the sensation as mild to moderate pressure or a tapping feeling. One characteristic of SoftWave TRT is its biofeedback quality — patients feel the sensation most strongly over areas of active inflammation, which helps the clinician identify the precise treatment area. The sensation typically decreases as treatment progresses through the session. No anesthesia is required or used.
SoftWave Long Island · Long Beach · Levittown · Hauppauge
Ready to Treat Your Pain
with FDA-Cleared SoftWave TRT?
New patients can experience a full SoftWave TRT evaluation, consultation, and first treatment session for just $39. No commitment, no pressure — just results.
Long Beach · Levittown · Hauppauge — Original SoftWave TRT provider on Long Island
Sources: SoftWave TRT official comparison · SoftWave TRT FDA clearances · Sofwave Medical Ltd. 2025 Annual Report (TASE: SOFW) · FDA 510(k) database. This page reflects our understanding of publicly available information about each company's technology and regulatory status as of 2026. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options.