If you’ve heard about SoftWave™ Therapy but have never experienced it, you probably have some practical questions.
Does it hurt? How long does it take? Do I have to change clothes? Will I be sore afterward? Can I go back to work?
And perhaps most importantly: How do I know whether SoftWave even makes sense for my pain?
At Genovations Regen, we use SoftWave as one of the non-invasive technologies available within our approach to pain management. Here’s what patients can generally expect.
First, We Need to Understand What Hurts
A SoftWave appointment shouldn’t begin with simply pointing a device at wherever you say it hurts. The first step is understanding your symptoms.
For a new patient, that means discussing things such as where you’re experiencing pain, how long it has been present, previous injuries or diagnoses, what makes it better or worse, previous treatments and how the problem is affecting your daily activities.
Depending on your situation, your provider may also want to review relevant medical history or imaging. Most importantly, we want to determine whether SoftWave is an appropriate option to consider.
Not everyone with pain is automatically a SoftWave candidate.
What Is SoftWave?
SoftWave uses electrohydraulic acoustic-wave technology to deliver mechanical energy into a treatment area.
The treatment is non-invasive, meaning there are no needles or surgical incisions involved in a standard SoftWave session. During treatment, a handheld applicator is placed against the skin over and around the area being evaluated.
What Does SoftWave Feel Like?
Patients typically feel a tapping or pulsing sensation as the applicator moves across the treatment area. Certain areas may feel more sensitive than others.
That sensitivity can actually provide useful information during treatment because you and the person performing the treatment can communicate about what you’re feeling as different areas are addressed.
Comfort varies from patient to patient and according to the area being treated, so we don’t describe SoftWave as completely painless for everyone.
How Long Does a Treatment Take?
SoftWave sessions themselves are generally relatively short. The exact amount of time depends on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan.
Your initial visit may take longer because we need time to evaluate your symptoms, discuss your history and determine an appropriate plan. Follow-up treatment visits are typically more straightforward.
What Should I Wear?
Wear something that allows us to easily access the treatment area. For a knee, shorts or loose-fitting pants are helpful. For a shoulder, a sleeveless or loose-fitting shirt can make treatment easier.
If you’re unsure, ask our team when scheduling and we’ll let you know what makes sense for the area being evaluated.
Is There Downtime After SoftWave?
One of the practical advantages of a non-invasive treatment is that it generally doesn’t involve the recovery associated with surgery or an injection procedure. However, individual experiences vary.
Your provider will discuss appropriate activity and any post-treatment instructions based on your condition and treatment plan.
If you’re training for an athletic event or participating in strenuous exercise, tell us. Your activity goals are an important part of planning your care.
How Many SoftWave Treatments Will I Need?
SoftWave treatment is typically performed as a series rather than a one-time treatment.
A standard SoftWave protocol generally includes 6 to 8 treatments. Treatment is typically scheduled twice per week for the first two weeks, followed by once per week until the initial treatment series is completed.
This schedule allows treatments to be delivered consistently during the initial phase while giving us an opportunity to monitor how you’re responding along the way.
After the initial series, some patients transition to periodic maintenance or spot treatments as needed. Rather than automatically putting everyone on an ongoing schedule, maintenance can be based on symptoms, activity level, treatment goals and how the individual has responded.
At Genovations, we’ll explain the recommended schedule at the beginning of treatment and continue to evaluate your progress throughout the process.
If you’re not responding as expected, we believe that’s a reason to reassess what’s happening rather than simply continuing treatments indefinitely.
What If I’ve Already Tried Other Treatments?
That’s common. Many patients who come to Genovations have already tried one or more approaches for their pain.
Tell us about physical therapy, injections, medications, chiropractic care, previous procedures, surgery or other treatments you’ve tried. Knowing what helped – and what didn’t – can be valuable when deciding what to do next.
SoftWave Is One Tool, Not the Entire Plan
We don’t believe every person who walks through our door needs the same treatment.
SoftWave may be considered as a stand-alone option in some situations or as part of a broader treatment plan in others. And sometimes another treatment or another provider is more appropriate.
The goal isn’t to “sell SoftWave.” The goal is to help you understand your options and develop an appropriate plan for getting back to the activities that matter to you.
Ready to Find Out Whether SoftWave Makes Sense for You?
If knee, shoulder, back, foot or other musculoskeletal pain is keeping you from doing the things you enjoy, a consultation is the place to start.
We’ll talk about what’s happening, what you’ve already tried and what you’re hoping to accomplish. From there, we can determine whether SoftWave is an appropriate option to consider.
Schedule a SoftWave consultation with Genovations Regen to learn more.
This information is intended for general educational purposes. Individual treatment recommendations and outcomes vary. A medical evaluation may be necessary to determine the cause of persistent pain and appropriate treatment options.