--- title: Focussed vs Radial Shockwave Therapy | CK Physio description: Why the Piezowave2 and focussed shockwave is better that radial shockwave therapy --- [![Spinal Problems, Sports Injuries, Joint Pains & Others! | London | CK Physiotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Images/CK%20LOGO%20main%20with%20wordmark%2032pt%20SVG%201.svg)](https://ckphysio.co.uk) - [About](https://ckphysio.co.uk/about-us) - [Testimonials](https://ckphysio.co.uk/testimonials) - [Links](https://ckphysio.co.uk/links) - [Infection prevention](https://ckphysio.co.uk/infection-prevention) - [Treatments](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments) - [Physiotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/physiotherapy) - [Shockwave therapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/shockwave-therapy) - [Shockwave Video](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/shockwave-therapy/shockwave-video-hanwell) - [Electrotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/electrotherapy) - [Conditions](https://ckphysio.co.uk/conditions) - [Bookings](https://ckphysio.co.uk/bookings) - [Resources](https://ckphysio.co.uk/resource) - [Blog List](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog) - [Educational Videos](https://ckphysio.co.uk/in-depth-guide-video) [Contact us](https://ckphysio.co.uk/contact) ![Spinal Problems, Sports Injuries, Joint Pains & Others! | London | CK Physiotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Images/Group%20(21).svg) ![calender](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Images/Group%20427324665.svg) 4. January 2019 # Focussed vs Radial Shockwave Therapy ## The Difference between Radial and Focussed Shockwave ## What's so special about the Piezowave 2 Technology? Until recently I was under the impression that radial shock wave therapy, the technology more commonly used by many other practices, involves the same principle as the focussed shock wave (ESWT) described in the original literature. It does not. As it turns out, the entire research on the effectiveness and mechanisms of shock wave therapy was originally done using focused shockwave technology - the kind of shock wave generated by piezoelectric technology.  There are several important benefits of a focused ESWT using the Piezowave 2 Therapy device: **\* Direct focusing piezoelectric technology for minimal pain during treatment** **\* Well defined, precise focus – perfect for diagnosis and therapy** **\* Finely adjustable penetration depth** **\* Independently adjustable penetration depth and intensity setting** **\* Trigger points can be diagnosed and specifically treated** The key differences of focused shock wave therapy are derived in the way in which it is delivered. Radial shock waves are generated using mechanical energy from a simple mechanical hammer. The result is the pressure wave first impacts the skin, moving divergently or spreading (not focused) through the body. The maximum effect of radial shock waves is therefore at the surface of the skin, with dissipating levels penetrating into the tissue. Within a penetration depth of 5-10mm, a practically undetectable dosage impacts the tissue. ![Focused and Radial](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Blog%20Images/Focused%20and%20Radial.gif?width=524&height=263&name=Focused%20and%20Radial.gif) In contrast, focused shock wave therapy delivers the greatest amount of energy into a focused point at a determined depth in the body and penetrates accurately into deep tissue layers (from 5mm to 40mm) where the problem actually is. ![Focussed_vs_Radial_Shockwave](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Blog%20Images/Focussed_vs_Radial_Shockwave.jpg?width=527&height=411&name=Focussed_vs_Radial_Shockwave.jpg) Both radial and focussed forms of shockwave therapy have been proven effective. Shockwave therapy works! However, the studies that have compared radial vs focused SWT have largely concluded that focused shockwave therapy has an advantage. This, along with the other benefits mentioned above, are the reasons CK Physiotherapy elected to go with Piezowave 2 as our preferred shockwave technology. ![Musculoskeletal pain](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Blog%20Images/dfc8db3db1ce4dc8fb17ec832d0378a4_f150.png?width=574&height=300&name=dfc8db3db1ce4dc8fb17ec832d0378a4_f150.png) [electrotherapy at CK Physio](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/electrotherapy) [shockwave for shoulder pain](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/innovations-shockwave-therapy-shoulder-and-neck-pain) [is shockwave painful](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/is-shockwave-therapy-painful) [complete guide to ESWT treatment](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/shockwave-therapy-guide) ![CKphysio](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Images/CK%20LOGO%20main%20with%20wordmark%2032pt%20SVG%201.svg) ##### [BryanKelly](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/author/bryankelly) ##### Popular Blog [Rotator Cuff Injury & Shoulder Impingement](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/overcome-shoulder-tendinitis-help-physiotherapy-london) [Hip Bursitis & Gluteal Tendinopathy: A...](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/gluteal-tendinopathy-hip-bursitis-physiotherapy-guide) [Restoring your Post-Pregnancy Body Shape](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/restoring-your-post-pregnancy-body-shape) [Elderly Physiotherapy Rehabilitation: What You...](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/what-you-need-know-about-ageing-rehabilitation-and-physiotherapy) ##### Share ## Latest Blogs 38 min ##### Rotator Cuff Injury & Shoulder ... Shoulder pain that flares when you lift your arm overhead, aches through the night or makes it hard ... [Read More](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/overcome-shoulder-tendinitis-help-physiotherapy-london) 1 July, 2026 31 min ##### Hip Bursitis & Gluteal Tendinopathy: A ... That nagging pain on the outside of your hip — the one that flares when you lie on it at night or ... [Read More](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/gluteal-tendinopathy-hip-bursitis-physiotherapy-guide) 19 June, 2026 30 min ##### Postnatal Recovery: Physiotherapy Guide for ... Postnatal physiotherapy is the evidence-based way to recover from the musculoskeletal effects of ... 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