Radial vs. Focused Shockwave: Which Do You Need?

Name: Adisi Health Center
Address: 534 Chestnut Street #240, Hinsdale, IL, 60521, US
Telephone: (630) 887-1900

Short answer: Focused shockwave concentrates its energy at a precise depth, which suits deep tendon problems and calcium deposits. Radial shockwave spreads its energy over a broader, shallower area, which suits tight muscles, trigger points, and larger sore regions. Research shows both types help common conditions like heel pain, shoulder tendon pain, and neck trigger points, and many patients do best with both in the same session. At Adisi Health Center in Hinsdale, Dr. Steve Petzel has both Storz Medical radial and focused shockwave units on-site, so he can match the type to your problem.

What is the difference between radial and focused shockwave?

Both are forms of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT): acoustic pulses delivered through the skin to stimulate the body’s own healing response, including better blood flow and new collagen in tired tendons. The difference is how the energy travels.

Focused shockwave gathers its energy into a small target zone at an adjustable depth. Think of it as aimed at one spot, such as a thickened tendon or a calcium deposit deep in the shoulder.
Radial shockwave releases its energy at the skin and spreads it outward, getting weaker as it goes deeper. That broader pattern covers a wider, shallower area, which is why it’s often used for muscle knots and trigger points.

Neither one is simply “stronger” or “better.” They’re two tools with different reach.

Clinician using a handheld applicator with gel on a patient's shoulder, the kind of deep shoulder tendon problem focused shockwave is designed to reach

Which type of shockwave is best for plantar fasciitis and heel spurs?

Both. In a 2023 randomized, sham-controlled trial of 99 people with heel spurs, both radial and focused shockwave improved foot function significantly more than a sham treatment, and the radial group improved the most (Şah et al., 2023). Heel pain is often a mix of an irritated plantar fascia at the bone and tight, sore tissue around it, which is one reason a combined approach makes sense. Read more in our guides to plantar fasciitis shockwave therapy and heel spur shockwave therapy.

Which type is best for shoulder pain and calcific tendinitis?

For deep shoulder problems, focused shockwave often takes the lead. In a 2021 randomized trial of 46 people with rotator cuff tendinopathy (without calcium deposits), both types reduced pain and improved shoulder function, and the focused group had lower pain at the 24-week and 48-week follow-ups (Li et al., 2021).

For calcific tendinitis, the targeted depth of focused shockwave is especially useful for reaching the calcium deposit. See our posts on calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and rotator cuff pain when reaching overhead.

Which type is best for trigger points and tight neck and shoulder muscles?

Both can help. In a 2025 randomized, sham-controlled trial of 57 people with painful trigger points in the upper trapezius (the muscle between the neck and shoulder), radial and focused shockwave relieved pain equally well, and both did significantly better than sham (Şenlikci et al., 2025). Because radial shockwave covers a wider area, it’s a natural fit for broad, knotted muscle tension. Learn more in shockwave for neck and shoulder trigger points.

Clinician's hand resting on a patient's upper shoulder, where tight trapezius trigger points often respond to radial shockwave

Which type is best for knee pain?

In a 2022 randomized trial of 42 people with knee osteoarthritis, both radial and focused shockwave reduced pain and improved function, and the focused group improved more on pain, daily function, and a 6-minute walk test (Ko et al., 2022). See shockwave therapy for knee arthritis.

A quick guide: radial vs. focused shockwave by condition

Problem	Often a good fit	Why
Calcific shoulder tendinitis, deep rotator cuff pain	Focused	Targets a precise depth
Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs	Radial, focused, or both	Both beat sham in research; heel pain often involves surface and deeper tissue
Trigger points, tight neck and upper back muscles	Radial	Covers a broader, shallower area
Knee pain	Focused, often with radial	Focused showed larger gains in one trial
Mixed tendon and muscle pain	Both in one session	Treats the deep tendon and the surrounding muscle

This is a general guide, not a rule. The right choice depends on your exam.

Why do many patients get both in the same session?

Pain rarely sits in one neat layer. A sore Achilles, elbow, or heel usually comes with tight, guarded muscle around it. Using focused shockwave on the deep tendon and radial shockwave on the surrounding muscle treats both in one visit. Our shockwave therapy page notes that many patients benefit from both in the same session.

Does one type hurt more than the other?

Most patients feel only mild discomfort with either type: a strong, fast tapping that’s most noticeable right over the sore spot. Dr. Petzel adjusts the intensity to your comfort, and follow-up sessions take about 20 minutes. Read more in does shockwave therapy hurt?

Is shockwave therapy safe?

Shockwave is non-invasive and needle-free, and the Storz Medical devices used at Adisi Health Center are FDA cleared. It’s usually avoided during pregnancy, over cancer or an infection, and near a pacemaker or other implanted device, and bleeding disorders or blood thinners need to be discussed first. See is shockwave therapy safe?

How does Dr. Petzel decide which type you need?

Your first visit includes a full exam and health history review. Dr. Petzel looks at where the pain is, how deep the problem likely sits, and whether surrounding muscles are involved, then builds a plan that may use radial, focused, or both. Most patients see significant improvement after about six sessions spaced roughly a week apart, with many noticing real change by sessions 3 or 4.

Radial and focused shockwave near Hinsdale

Adisi Health Center is at 534 Chestnut Street, Suite 240, in Hinsdale, and we see patients from Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Westmont, and La Grange. For a closer look at shockwave brands and technology, read SoftWave vs. Storz Medical shockwave.

FAQ: Radial vs. focused shockwave

What is the difference between radial and focused shockwave therapy?
Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a precise, adjustable depth, which suits deep tendons and calcium deposits. Radial shockwave spreads energy over a broader, shallower area, which suits muscles and trigger points.

Is focused shockwave better than radial shockwave?
Not across the board. Focused did better long-term in one rotator cuff trial and in one knee arthritis trial, radial did better in one heel spur trial, and the two were equal for neck and shoulder trigger points. Both beat sham where it was tested.

Which shockwave is best for plantar fasciitis?
Both radial and focused shockwave have research support for heel pain. In a 2023 trial on heel spurs, both beat sham and radial improved foot function the most. Many patients receive both.

Is focused shockwave better for calcific tendinitis?
Focused shockwave is designed to reach a precise depth, which makes it well suited to deep shoulder tendon problems and calcium deposits.

Can you get radial and focused shockwave in the same session?
Yes. Many patients benefit from both: focused for the deep tendon and radial for the surrounding muscle.

How many shockwave sessions will I need?
Most patients see significant improvement after about six 20-minute sessions spaced roughly a week apart. Dr. Petzel builds your plan after your exam.

Where can I get radial and focused shockwave near Oak Brook or Downers Grove?
Adisi Health Center in Hinsdale has both Storz Medical radial and focused shockwave units on-site and serves Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Westmont, and La Grange.

Radial or Focused Shockwave: Which One Does My Pain Need? A Condition-by-Condition Guide in Hinsdale