An assembly of devices using extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT) and designed for acoustic wave treatment (AWT) intended primarily to reduce the appearance of cellulite through mobilization of free fatty acids and oxidative agents in tissue. It typically consists of a control unit that produces pneumatically-generated and/or electrically-generated pressure waves at selected impulse frequencies by means of one or more hand-held, skin-surface applicators. The system may also be used to treat the skin, e.g., by smoothing wrinkles, tightening muscle/connective tissue, and/or improving lymphatic drainage; it may also be used to treat minor muscle pain.