A processor-controlled, energy-based therapy apparatus includes a device configured to provide therapeutic energy to a patient and a processor that controls the output of the device. The output of the device is based on output profiles programmed into the processor. The output profiles include a therapeutic energy output profile and a ramp-up energy profile. The therapeutic energy output profile includes a desired target energy level and a therapeutic duration for controlling the output of the device during a therapeutic period. The ramp-up energy output profile includes an initial treatment energy level and a ramp-up duration for controlling the output of the device during a ramp-up period. The energy output specified by the ramp-up energy output profile incrementally increases over the ramp-up duration as a function of the desired target energy level and the ramp-up duration.
