Can kidney stones be blasted apart by sound?

Yes, kidney stones can be treated using a procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which employs sound waves to break the stones into smaller pieces. During the procedure, shock waves are generated outside the body and focused on the stones, causing them to fragment. The smaller pieces can then pass more easily through the urinary tract. ESWL is a non-invasive option and is commonly used for stones that are too large to pass on their own.