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Gentle Care
Provider treating a patient's neck with the SoftWave shockwave applicator at Gentle Care Chiropractic, West Linn Oregon

SoftWave Shockwave Therapy

Regenerative, non-invasive healing for injuries, chronic pain, and post-accident recovery — powered by patented electrohydraulic shockwave technology.

The Science

What Is SoftWave Therapy?

SoftWave is one of the most advanced forms of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) available today. Unlike older shockwave devices, it uses patented electrohydraulic technology to generate true, unfocused acoustic shockwaves that reach both deep and wide areas of injured tissue.

It's an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that stimulates your body's own natural healing and regenerative processes — without the microtrauma, pain, or downtime associated with other devices.

For patients recovering from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal pain, SoftWave gives us another powerful tool to accelerate healing at the cellular level — often complementing chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and physical therapy for faster, more complete recovery.

"The same technology used to break up kidney stones is now used to increase circulation, break up scar tissue and calcifications, and stimulate the migration of stem cells and growth factors to injured areas."

SoftWave Regenerative Medicine

The SoftWave OrthoGold 100 device and applicator used at Gentle Care Chiropractic in West Linn, Oregon
The SoftWave OrthoGold® 100 — the FDA-cleared device we use at Gentle Care Chiropractic.
FDA Cleared As seen on The Doctors
Up to 91%

of patients experienced successful healing in independent studies.

5–15 min

typical treatment time — with no downtime afterward.

Zero

needles, incisions, anesthesia, or medication required.

8–12 wks

of continued biological healing after your final session.

Not All Shockwave Is Equal

What Makes SoftWave Different

Many "shockwave" machines on the market are really low-energy radial devices. SoftWave's patented design sets it apart in three important ways.

True Electrohydraulic Shockwaves

An electrode discharges inside a water-filled applicator head, creating a rapidly expanding gas bubble. This produces a genuine acoustic shockwave — not a low-energy radial pressure wave — that travels through tissue several times faster than sound moves through air.

Unfocused, Broad & Deep Field

Rather than concentrating energy at a single painful point, SoftWave's patented parabolic reflector spreads acoustic energy across a wide and deep treatment zone — reaching structures that focused and radial devices simply can't.

Healing Without Microtrauma

Traditional focused shockwave works by intentionally damaging tissue, often requiring numbing agents. SoftWave instead uses mechanotransduction — the waves compress and expand cell membranes to activate a healing response without injuring healthy tissue.

The Mechanism

How SoftWave Heals at the Cellular Level

When acoustic waves pass through injured, inflamed, or scarred tissue, a cascade of healing responses begins almost immediately.

1
1

Increased Blood Flow

New capillary formation (angiogenesis) delivers more oxygen and nutrients, with studies showing significant increases in blood vessel density within weeks of treatment.

2
2

Stem Cell Activation

The mechanical stimulus signals your body to recruit its own reparative stem cells to injured tissue — earning SoftWave the nickname "the stem cell machine."

3
3

Reduced Inflammation

Cellular signaling shifts the tissue environment away from chronic inflammation and toward active repair.

4
4

Pain Modulation

Nerve fibers are stimulated in a way that reduces the perception of pain — often within the very same visit.

5
5

Tissue Remodeling

Over the following weeks, the body lays down new, healthier collagen in tendons, ligaments, muscle, and even cartilage.

A built-in diagnostic advantage: because SoftWave only produces this healing response in tissue that is actually damaged, inflamed, or scarred, running the applicator over healthy tissue produces little reaction. That biofeedback helps us pinpoint exactly where your injury is and confirm your treatment plan is targeting the right areas.

Why Patients Choose It

The Benefits of SoftWave Therapy

A regenerative, drug-free option that addresses the root of your pain — not just the symptoms.

Regenerative Healing

Activates your body's own repair systems at the cellular level — stimulating stem cells, new blood vessels, and healthier tissue.

Stem cell activation & migration
New blood vessel growth
Accelerated tissue repair
Breaks up scar tissue & calcification

Powerful Pain Relief

Modulates nerve signaling and calms chronic inflammation — many patients feel relief within the very first session.

Rapid reduction in pain
Relief from chronic conditions
Improved range of motion
Long-lasting results

Non-Invasive & Drug-Free

No needles, no anesthesia, no incisions, and no meaningful downtime. A typical session takes just 5–15 minutes.

No surgery or injections
No medication required
Return to activity immediately
Minimal, short-lived side effects

Broad, Deep Coverage

Each pulse treats a wide and deep tissue zone rather than a single focal point — and pairs seamlessly with the rest of your care plan.

Wide & deep treatment zone
Diagnostic biofeedback response
Complements chiropractic & massage
FDA-cleared technology

Who Can Benefit

Conditions We Treat

SoftWave treats a wide range of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions — including many of the injuries we commonly see after motor vehicle accidents and sports or workplace injuries.

Spine & Post-Accident

  • Whiplash-associated neck & shoulder pain
  • Low back & mid-back pain
  • Soft-tissue & disc-related injuries
  • Chronic pain after a car accident
  • Scar tissue & adhesions from prior injury

Joints & Extremities

  • Rotator cuff injuries & shoulder impingement
  • Tennis elbow & golfer's elbow
  • Wrist & hand pain
  • Hip & pelvic pain
  • Knee pain, ligament sprains & osteoarthritis
  • Ankle sprains

Chronic & Soft Tissue

  • Plantar fasciitis & heel pain
  • Tendinopathy & chronic tendinitis
  • Muscle strains & sprains
  • Post-surgical stiffness
  • Calcifications
  • Hard-to-resolve chronic pain

This list isn't exhaustive — if you're dealing with persistent pain or a soft-tissue injury, ask us whether SoftWave could be part of your care plan.

Accident & Injury Recovery

Why We Use SoftWave for Auto & Personal Injury Patients

Car accident injuries — whiplash, soft-tissue sprains and strains, and disc irritation — often involve deep tissue damage that doesn't always respond quickly to adjustments or massage alone. Adding SoftWave to a multidisciplinary treatment plan can make a real difference.

Speeds up the resolution of inflammation and swelling in the injured region

Reduces problematic scar tissue and adhesions that can lead to chronic pain

Shortens overall recovery timelines — important for both your health and your case

Provides objective, patient-reported biofeedback that helps document treatment response

Your Experience

What to Expect During Treatment

01
01

Assessment

We identify the specific tender or trigger-point areas related to your injury and map your treatment plan.

02
02

Gel Application

A gel is applied so the SoftWave applicator glides smoothly over the skin.

03
03

Treatment Pulses

The applicator moves over the area in a series of pulses. You'll hear a clicking sound and feel a comfortable pulsing sensation.

04
04

Feedback Loop

You communicate your response throughout, and we adjust energy level and placement in real time.

05
05

Done in Minutes

A typical session takes 5–15 minutes with no anesthesia, no needles, and no downtime. Return to normal activity right away.

A Gentle Care Chiropractic provider treating a patient's knee with SoftWave shockwave therapy in West Linn, Oregon

A Series Built Around You

Most patients need a series of sessions (commonly 4–8, once weekly) to achieve maximum benefit, though many notice reduced pain and improved mobility after the very first visit. Because SoftWave stimulates biological changes that continue for weeks afterward, results tend to keep improving for up to 8–12 weeks following your last session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SoftWave therapy painful?
Most patients tolerate it very well. You'll feel a pulsing or tapping sensation, and areas that are actually injured or inflamed may feel tender — often described as a "hurts so good" sensation similar to a deep-tissue massage on a sore spot. Healthy tissue typically doesn't register much sensation. We continuously check in with you and adjust the intensity to keep treatment comfortable.
How is SoftWave different from other shockwave or "radial" devices?
Many devices use pneumatic or radial pressure waves, which aren't true shockwaves — they concentrate lower energy near the surface and can cause bruising or discomfort. SoftWave's patented electrohydraulic technology produces a true, broad-focused shockwave that reaches deeper and wider tissue zones in a single pulse, without relying on microtrauma to trigger healing.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies by condition and severity, but most treatment plans call for somewhere between 4 and 8 sessions, typically spaced about a week apart. We'll build a plan specific to your injury and adjust based on how you respond.
How quickly will I feel results?
Many patients notice reduced pain and improved range of motion within minutes of the first treatment. Because the therapy triggers ongoing biological repair — new blood vessel growth, stem cell activity, and tissue remodeling — benefits often continue to build for 8–12 weeks after your last session.
Are there any side effects?
SoftWave is very well tolerated. The most common effects are mild, temporary redness, soreness, or swelling at the treatment site, usually resolving within a day or two. There's no bruising or lasting downtime for the vast majority of patients.
Who shouldn't get SoftWave therapy?
SoftWave isn't appropriate for patients who are pregnant, have a pacemaker, have active cancer, or (for pediatric patients) have an open growth plate in the treatment area. We'll review your health history before your first treatment to confirm you're a good candidate. It is generally safe for patients on most medications and with metal implants such as pins or joint replacements.
Is SoftWave covered by insurance?
At this time, SoftWave is generally not covered by health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid, though it may be eligible for reimbursement through HSA or FSA accounts — we recommend checking with your plan administrator. For patients being treated as part of a motor vehicle accident or personal injury claim, ask our billing team how SoftWave fits into your overall treatment and documentation plan.
Can SoftWave be combined with chiropractic, massage, or physical therapy?
Yes — and it often works best that way. We frequently pair SoftWave with chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and other in-house modalities to address both the underlying joint and spinal mechanics and the soft-tissue healing process together.

Ready to Start Healing?

If you're dealing with a stubborn injury from a car accident, sports activity, or everyday wear and tear, SoftWave may help you heal faster and more completely — without surgery, injections, or long recovery times. New patients welcome.

Individual results vary. SoftWave is FDA 510(k) cleared for specific indications including activation of connective tissue, treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers, treatment of acute second-degree burns, temporary pain relief, and improved local blood circulation. This page is for informational purposes and is not a guarantee of outcome for any specific condition.

Beyond Treatment

We believe great care goes beyond treatment — it's an experience. Our team is dedicated to creating a space that feels warm, comfortable, and personal, so every visit leaves you feeling cared for and refreshed.

Location

21860 Willamette Dr. West Linn, Oregon 97068

Contact

(503) 650-2394

Gentle Care

Start your journey to a healthier, more active life. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or seeking to enhance your mobility, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

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