Which noninvasive treatment uses sound wave vibration to induce an inflammatory response for pain relief?

• A. Magnetic resonance imaging
• B. CT scan
• C. Ultrasound
• D. Shockwave therapy

Answer: (D)

Shockwave therapy delivers high-energy sound waves to tissue to create a controlled microtrauma that triggers an inflammatory healing response, leading to pain relief and improved tissue repair. This mechanism—using acoustic waves to provoke a healing cascade rather than just imaging or heating tissue—fits the description precisely. MRI and CT are imaging modalities that rely on magnetic fields or X-rays and do not provide a therapeutic, inflammatory response. Ultrasound can be used for therapy, but its typical effects are heating and increasing tissue mobility rather than intentionally inducing an inflammatory cascade for healing. Therefore, the noninvasive treatment described is shockwave therapy.