The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the
steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit
acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock
waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance 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 substance at a distance less than the distance
X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can
be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The
organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other
organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums.
The tissue may be a part of the vascular system, a part of the nervous
system, a part of the urinary or reproductive system, a part of the lymph
node or pituitary systems, a part of the ocular system or a part of a
skeletal system.