The present invention relates to a new non-invasive method for inducing angiogenesis and more particularly coronary angiogenesis wherein an operator applies localized percussion upon the upper torso proximate an ischemic myocardial region, whereby the percussive forces penetrate to cause sheer stresses to the endothelium of the coronaries which lie thereupon, and thereby cause new coronary growth by virtue of endogenous liberation of beneficial angiogenic mediators. A pair of vibratory contacts are advantageously applied to rib-spaces to either side of the sternum (or alternatively to the upper back), where-after percussion is applied at the resonance frequency of the heart/epimyocardium at a displacement amplitude of 0.1 mm-15 mm (preferably greater than 1 mm), such as to maximize an internal oscillatory effect. The system is also adaptable for cerebral and peripheral vasculature applications. Ultrasonic imaging may optionally be utilized to direct percussive therapy.
