Acoustic shock wave treatment and devices for appendages

A method of treating an appendage of a patient, comprises the steps of:

• placing an acoustic shock wave applicator on a surface of the appendage, wherein said placing the acoustic shock wave applicator includes manually retaining the acoustic shock wave applicator in contact with skin of the appendage;
• placing a gaseous filled membrane at a location on an opposite surface of the appendage relative to a location of the acoustic shock wave applicator, wherein the gaseous filled membrane is integral with a mitten or a glove, wherein the gaseous filled membrane is on a palm side of the mitten or the glove, and wherein said placing the gaseous filled membrane includes donning the mitten or the glove and holding the appendage in contact with the palm side of the mitten or the glove,
• causing one or more acoustic shock waves to be transmitted from the acoustic shock wave applicator through the appendage by activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source coupled to the acoustic shock wave applicator, wherein the one or more acoustic shock waves impinge upon the gaseous filled membrane, thereby reflecting the one or more of the acoustic shock waves back into the appendage.