"This must be a placebo..." Then the pain was gone. 

After spending nearly a decade searching for relief from a wrist injury that ended his chiropractic career, Dr. Matt DiDuro had every reason to be skeptical. But one three-minute treatment changed his perspective and ultimately led him to dedicate his career to helping other healthcare providers discover shockwave therapy. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How one treatment changed Dr. Matt DiDuro's perspective after nearly 10 years of chronic pain

• Why his personal recovery inspired a new career in shockwave therapy

• How shockwave therapy fits into a regenerative approach before more invasive treatments

• Why patient outcomes have driven adoption among clinicians and professional sports organizations

• What healthcare providers should consider when evaluating shockwave therapy technology and supporting clinical evidence

  
  

Recovery stories like this don't replace clinical evidence, but they often spark the curiosity to look deeper. Dr. DiDuro's journey shows how personal experience, clinical practice, and ongoing research can work together to advance patient care.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction - Meet Dr. Matt DiDuro

02:07 - The First Softwave Treatment

03:38 - Buying a Softwave Device After Three Treatments

04:28 - Using Softwave on Neuropathy Patients

05:57 - From Skeptic to Business Owner

06:45 - Why Chiropractors Were Slow to Adopt It

08:40 - 110 Doctors Said 'No'

10:27 - How COVID Accelerated Softwave Growth

11:37 - Regenerative Medicine vs. Stem Cells

14:15 - Lessons from Austria's Healthcare System

15:54 - Why Europe Adopted Shockwave First

16:52 - Why Thomas Started This Podcast

17:56 - How Softwave Grew to 80+ Clinics in Atlanta

20:56 - Why FDA Clearance Matters

25:50 - How Softwave Actually Works

28:43 - Broad Focus vs. Other Shockwave Devices

35:07 - Why Isn't This Technology Everywhere?

37:19 - Making Regenerative Care Affordable

39:36 - The Economics of Owning a Softwave Device

41:32 - Softwave vs. Generic 'Shockwave' Devices

44:29 - Closing Thoughts & Contact Information

"Two treatments... and my knee was bulletproof."

One successful treatment can change a life. It can also change a career.

In this episode of the Shockwave Tissue Regeneration Therapy Podcast, host Thomas Helfrich talks with Eric Brown, a former Army National Guard pilot, commercial airline captain, and longtime SoftWave advocate. After years of living with chronic knee pain and facing the possibility of another surgery, Eric discovered shockwave therapy through a chance introduction. His recovery inspired him to spend the next decade helping athletes, military personnel, physicians, and patients learn about regenerative shockwave therapy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How shockwave therapy helped one patient recover from chronic knee pain after just two treatments and why the results lasted for years.

• Why professional sports teams, military organizations, and healthcare providers are increasingly adopting regenerative shockwave therapy.

• How extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) supports tissue regeneration as a non-invasive, drug-free alternative for musculoskeletal injuries.

• Why FDA clearance and clinical evidence matter when choosing a shockwave therapy device for your clinic or your own care.

• How one remarkable wound healing case demonstrates the regenerative potential of shockwave therapy beyond orthopedic injuries.

  
  

One of the stories discussed in this episode is Dr. Mullins' patient, whose severe knee wound was being considered for amputation before treatment with SoftWave. You can watch that case here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS0gZF9-iD0 

Whether you're exploring treatment options for chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply curious why more clinicians are turning to regenerative medicine, this episode offers a firsthand perspective on why so many people who've benefited from shockwave therapy feel compelled to share it with others.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction – Meet Eric Brown

00:58 - From Army Pilot to Medical Device Sales

01:29 - The Injury That Changed Everything

02:06 - How Eric Discovered Softwave

02:32 - From Patient to Believer

03:24 - Why Eric Dedicated Himself to the Technology

04:11 - Did the Pain Ever Come Back?

05:07 - The Early Days of Softwave

05:24 - How COVID Changed Everything

07:21 - Returning to Softwave Full-Time

09:17 - Why the Military & VA Need Shockwave

10:41 - Shockwave Is a Tool—Not a Miracle Cure

11:21 - Thomas' Personal Recovery Story

13:40 - How Shockwave Finds the Injury

14:32 - Why FDA Clearance Matters

15:14 - The Wound-Healing Case That Changed Minds

16:51 - What Patients Should Ask Their Doctor

18:14 - Why Doctors Choose FDA-Cleared Devices

18:41 - Closing Thoughts

What should healthcare providers look for before trusting a shockwave therapy device?

Host Thomas Helfrich and SoftWave CEO Thomas Rhoads explore what it really means for a medical technology to be backed by evidence. Together, they discuss how clinical trials are conducted, why FDA clearance is based on device-specific data, and why independent research should play a central role in evaluating shockwave therapy technology.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why clinical trials are the foundation of FDA clearance

• How independent research evaluates whether a device actually delivers a true shockwave

• The difference between peer-reviewed clinical evidence and marketing claims

• Why device-specific studies matter when comparing shockwave technologies

• How ongoing research continues to expand the understanding and applications of shockwave therapy

  
  

You don't need to be a researcher to understand what good evidence looks like. At the end of the day, the goal isn't to memorize clinical studies. It's to know which questions matter when evaluating shockwave therapy so that healthcare providers can make informed decisions and give patients greater confidence in the care they receive.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction – Does Shockwave Therapy Really Work?

01:16 - How Clinical Trials Actually Work

02:09 - Why Only Two Companies Have Done the Work

03:33 - Who Runs Softwave's Clinical Trials?

04:38 - Why Professional Sports Teams Choose Softwave

05:07 - From the NFL to Entertainment

06:27 - Why the LA Rams Became a Partner

07:00 - The Three Questions Every Buyer Should Ask

07:46 - Why Doctors Buy the Wrong Device

09:00 - Marketing Claims vs. Clinical Evidence

09:55 - Why Data Matters in the Long Run

11:01 - Closing – Data Matters

"Only a couple actually have FDA clearance. The rest are knockoffs..."

When every device promises results, what should healthcare providers actually be evaluating?

Host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Thomas Rhoads, CEO of SoftWave to explore what device-specific clinical evidence actually tells you and why total cost of ownership goes far beyond the purchase price. They also discuss FDA clearance, maintenance requirements, safety standards, long-term support, and how ongoing research influences the future of regenerative medicine.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why FDA clearance should be one of the first questions providers ask

• The difference between device-specific evidence and industry-wide claims

• How maintenance, applicator lifespan, and operating costs affect the true cost of ownership

• Why quality systems, safety standards, and ongoing clinical research matter when evaluating medical technology

• How education, clinical support, and implementation can influence patient outcomes and practice growth

  
  

Choosing a shockwave device doesn’t stop at comparing specifications or price tags. It's all about understanding the evidence, asking the right questions, and selecting technology that is designed to deliver consistent, clinically supported results for both providers and patients.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction – How to Evaluate a Shockwave Device

01:03 - How Many Shockwave Devices Are There?

01:56 - Why FDA Clearance Matters

02:39 - Patents & What Makes Sofwave Different

03:14 - The Hidden Cost of Applicators

04:04 - Maintenance, Downtime & Staff Time

04:46 - FDA vs. ISO Safety Standards

06:37 - What's the ROI for a Clinic?

08:14 - The Value of Training & Coaching

09:29 - Adding New Patients & Growing a Practice

10:16 - Insurance Reimbursement Opportunities

12:26 - Investing in Research & New FDA Indications

13:52 - How New Indications Lead to Reimbursement

14:48 - Broad Focus vs. 'Unfocused' Marketing

15:18 - Closing & How to Contact Tom

Just because it says "shockwave" doesn't mean it is.

As shockwave therapy becomes more popular, more devices are entering the market. But are they all delivering the same treatment?

Thomas Helfrich and Tom Rhoads take an honest look at the current state of the industry, exploring why clinical evidence and FDA clearance matter, how some devices rely on the reputation of shockwave therapy without delivering true shockwaves, and what both patients and providers should know before choosing a treatment. 

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• Why true shockwave therapy is different from other devices marketed as "shockwave," and how that difference can affect patient outcomes

• How to evaluate a shockwave therapy device, including why FDA clearance and device-specific clinical evidence should be part of the conversation

• The difference between tissue regeneration and short-term symptom relief, and why not every technology stimulates the body's natural healing response.

• How broad-focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) differs from narrow treatment zones, and why treatment depth and coverage matter

• The questions every patient and healthcare provider should ask before investing in or receiving shockwave therapy.

  
  

As with any emerging technology, understanding what's backed by evidence and what's simply marketing can make all the difference. Tune in to learn how to look past the hype, ask better questions, and make more informed decisions about shockwave therapy.

 00:00 - Introduction – The Reality of the Shockwave Industry

01:00 - The Good: Why the Industry Is Growing

01:20 - A Different Way to Think About Healing

01:50 - The Bad & The Ugly: Fake Shockwave Devices

03:20 - Why Competitors Mislead the Market

04:06 - Why Clinical Evidence Matters

04:39 - Depth Matters: Why Real Shockwave Works

05:30 - Broad Focus vs. Pinpoint Treatment

06:52 - Why Treating a Larger Area Matters

07:27 - The One Thing Every Patient Should Know

07:51 - Closing & Next Episode Teaser

"It doesn't cause trauma. It's just waking the body up."

What if your body already knows how to heal, it just needs the right signal to start again?

In Episode 2 of the Shockwave Tissue Regeneration Therapy Podcast, host Thomas Helfrich and SoftWave CEO Tom Rhoads break down the science behind shockwave therapy: what happens inside the body during treatment, why the goal isn't to damage tissue but to activate your body's own healing response, and why understanding the technology behind the device matters just as much as the treatment itself.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) uses acoustic sound waves to restart the body's natural healing process, increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and support tissue regeneration
• Why true shockwave therapy is designed to stimulate healing without causing lasting tissue trauma, and how different energy levels are used for different medical applications
• How to identify a true FDA-cleared shockwave therapy device, why FDA clearance matters, and the difference between cleared and uncleared technologies
• What patients should ask before receiving shockwave therapy and why not every device marketed as "shockwave" delivers the same technology or clinical outcomes
• How shockwave therapy may complement regenerative treatments such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and support recovery before and after surgery

If you've ever wondered how shockwave therapy actually works, or why some patients see dramatically different outcomes than others, this one's for you.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction - Shockwave 101

00:49 - What Is Shockwave Therapy?

01:25 - Why the Body Stops Healing 

01:40 - How Shockwave Restarts the Healing Process 

02:17 - Does Shockwave Cause Trauma? 

02:27 - The Origins of Shockwave (Lithotripsy) 

04:01 - FDA Clearance Explained 

05:29 - Cheap Devices vs. Proven Devices 

05:50 - FDA Registered vs. FDA Cleared 

07:06 - The One Question Every Patient Should Ask 

07:52 - Can Shockwave Be Combined with Other Treatments? 

08:39 - Closing & Next Episode Preview 

“Shockwave therapy, and then dead silence”

Why haven’t you heard of shockwave therapy? 

It's been used for years, backed by hundreds of clinical studies, and helping patients around the world, yet many people are only discovering it now. So why has it stayed under the radar?

In the very first episode of the Shockwave Tissue Regeneration Therapy Podcast, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Tom Rhoads, CEO of SoftWave, to unpack this question. You'll hear how Tom's decades in healthcare led him to regenerative medicine and what changed his perspective after hearing patient stories that were hard to ignore. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why shockwave therapy became a standard treatment in Europe and why it's only now gaining momentum in the United States.
• The science behind extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), including the clinical evidence, FDA clearance, and how it stimulates the body's natural healing response.
• Which conditions may benefit from shockwave therapy, including plantar fasciitis, tendinopathy, chronic musculoskeletal pain, diabetic foot ulcers, and wound healing.
• How real patient outcomes and growing insurance reimbursement are changing the way healthcare providers view regenerative medicine.
• Why not all shockwave devices are the same, and what makes true shockwave technology different from other devices marketed under the same name.

Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, caring for patients, or simply curious about regenerative medicine, this episode is a great place to start to learn more about shockwave tissue regeneration therapy.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

00:44 - Tom's Background

01:25 - Host's Personal Story

01:42 - What Is Shockwave & Why Haven't People Heard of It? 

03:00 - Why Patient Outcomes Matter

03:17 - Real Patient Success Story 

04:40 - From Skeptic to Believer

06:18 - FDA Clearance & Insurance Reimbursement 

07:47 - Patient-First vs Market-First Companies 

08:10 - What Conditions Can Be Treated? 

09:20 - Why Professional Sports Teams Use It 

10:57 - How Healing Actually Works 

11:52 - Shockwave for Sexual Health 

12:01 - Outro

This is the truth about shockwave, told through the lens of FDA-cleared technology, the providers who use it, the researchers who study it, the industry leaders who built it, and the patients living with the results.

In this welcome episode, host Thomas Helfrich shares his personal experience with shockwave therapy and the mission of the Shockwave Tissue Regeneration Therapy Podcast: no hype, no sales pitch, just evidence.

You'll discover the science behind extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and how acoustic wave technology is used in musculoskeletal care: how treatment actually works, what the clinical research shows, why FDA clearance matters when choosing a device or provider, and what real patient outcomes look like for plantar fasciitis, tendon injuries, shoulder pain, knee pain, neuropathy, and other chronic musculoskeletal problems.

Every episode features honest conversations with doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, clinical researchers, technology experts, industry leaders, and real patients about what shockwave therapy can do, what it cannot do, and how to separate evidence-based treatment from marketing hype.

Whether you're a patient searching for options or a clinician evaluating this technology for your practice, you'll leave knowing more than the brochure tells you.

If you want the truth about shockwave therapy, this is the show. Follow now so you never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Shockwave Tissue Regeneration Therapy Podcast