The method of stimulating a tissue of a subsurface organ is disclosed. The
method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or
source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the tissue to the
acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue wherein the tissue is
positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a
geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one
embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In
another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a
geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the
source, the method further comprising positioning the tissue at a
distance less than the distance X from the source. The subsurface organ
is a tissue having cells. The tissue is a part of the incretin system.
The subsurface organ is preferably the pancreas of a diabetic or at risk
diabetic patient. The treatment stimulates the pancreatic tissue by an
analgesic effect on the nerves and a stimulation of the insulin producing
islets.