Acoustic shock waves use high amplitude acoustic pulses (normally in the range of 10 to 100 MPa) with durations on the order of 1 microsecond. They can induce therapeutic effects in tissue by mechanical means: either through direct stress/strain or by acoustic cavitation.

The main use of shock waves in medicine has been lithotripsy in which shock waves are used to fragment kidney stones so that they can be passed naturally. However, shock waves have also been considered for other applications such as treatment of soft-tissue pain (e.g. tendonitis and heel spurs), promoting repair or growth of bone, neo-vascularisation and wound healing. The efficacy of these other applications is not always clear and the mechanisms are poorly understood.