Radial and focused shock wave therapy, there are two different types of interactions, taking into account the physical characteristics of each of these methods. Below there is a comparison of several values that characterize these two therapeutic methods.
Comparison of focused and radial shockwave therapy (pressure waves)
Below there is a table that compare some of the most characteristic parameters:
| FSW | Parameter | RSW |
| 100-1000 bars | Pressure | 1-10 bars |
| around 0,2 us | Pulse time | 0,2-0,5 ms |
| focused | Activity range | radial, distracted |
| large | Penetration depth | small, superficial |
| on cells | Influence | on tissues |
The table clearly shows that the pressure in the FSW and RSW differ significantly.
The focused shock waves may take a value of pressure up to 1000 bar. This value may seem unrealistic, because in regard to the application on the human body corresponds to the pressure to which the person would be subjected to the immersion in water to a depth of 1 km. Note, however, that such a large area of pressure influence is very small and there is a focal point of the applicator head.
Focused and radial shockwave therapy – duration of the pulse
Another important difference is the duration of the pulse. FSW has a pulse duration of a thousand times shorter than the radial wave.
Generation process of shockwave
From the generation process appears that the FSW is focused, while the radial, as the name suggests, extends radially from the point of application, and the local energy density values reduce with increasing distance.
Focused and radial shockwave therapy – penetration depth
This fact shows that the penetration depth of the focused wave is large, while radial is small. In fact, this is not a precise comparison. The focused shock wave has a precise depth at which the maximum energy concentration occurs, which stems from the applicator head design.
Influence
The final compared parameter is interaction on the body. In the case of focused wave the energy is directed at cells, and when it comes to radial wave it is aimed at tissues. However, taking into consideration the fact that radial shock wave has been not enough investigated, there are only few researches available concerning that type of therapy, it cannot be excluded that in the future this thesis will be verified.
