Apparatuses and methods for generating therapeutic shock waves. Some embodiments comprise: an acoustic-wave generator configured to emit acoustic waves having at least one frequency between 1 MHz and 1000 MHz a shock wave housing coupled to the acoustic-wave generator and a shock wave medium disposed in the shock wave housing where the apparatus is configured such that if the acoustic-wave generator emits acoustic waves then at least some portion of the acoustic waves will travel through the shock wave medium and form one or more shock waves.