What is Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a non invasive treatment used in physiotherapy to heal, reduce pain and improve tissue function. Unlike diagnostic ultrasound which is used for imaging purposes within the body (e.g. monitoring the growth of a fetus during pregnancy) therapeutic ultrasound targets deeper layers of muscle and soft tissue to aid recovery.
Therapeutic ultrasound applications have moved from a diagnostic imaging tool to a treatment modality, with many medical uses, safety considerations and biological effects of different ultrasound techniques.
At Physical Therapy Associates we use therapeutic ultrasound to aid recovery for conditions such as muscle strains, tendonitis, joint pain and inflammation.
What is Ultrasound Therapy?
Ultrasound therapy also known as therapeutic ultrasound is a non invasive treatment that uses high frequency sound waves to heal, reduce pain and reduce inflammation. This form of physiotherapy has been used for decades to treat many conditions including soft tissue injuries, chronic pain and scar tissue adhesion. By increasing blood flow, reducing swelling and edema and gently massaging muscle tendons and ligaments ultrasound therapy helps the body’s natural healing processes. Whether you have a recent injury or managing long term discomfort ultrasound therapy can be part of your recovery plan.
What Does Ultrasound Do?
Therapeutic ultrasound emits ultrasound waves that create vibrations in the tissue. These vibrations generate heat which relaxes the muscle, increases blood flow and reduces stiffness in the treated area. The increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and speeds up the body’s natural healing process.
Ultrasound energy has a key role in tissue repair and has many biological effects in different clinical applications.
In addition to pain relief ultrasound therapy can reduce muscle spasms and promote tissue healing so it can be part of your recovery plan.
Ultrasound Therapy Types
Ultrasound therapy encompasses several types, each tailored to specific therapeutic needs:
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): This advanced technique uses high-intensity sound waves to target precise areas of the body, such as tumors or dense scar tissue. HIFU is particularly effective in breaking down these tissues without affecting surrounding areas.
Low Intensity Ultrasound: Utilizing low-intensity sound waves, this method promotes tissue healing and reduces inflammation. It’s often used for more delicate or superficial injuries where gentle stimulation is required.
Pulsed Ultrasound: This type employs pulsed sound waves to enhance tissue healing and decrease inflammation. The intermittent nature of the waves allows for targeted treatment with minimal thermal effects.
Continuous Ultrasound: Continuous sound waves are used in this approach to provide consistent therapeutic effects, promoting tissue healing and reducing inflammation over a sustained period.
Each type of ultrasound therapy offers unique benefits, allowing physical and occupational therapists to customize treatments based on individual patient needs and specific conditions.
What are the side effects of Ultrasound therapy for chronic pain?
Therapeutic ultrasound is safe and effective when performed by a qualified practitioner. Most patients have no side effects. Some patients may feel warmth or tingling in the treated area which is usually brief and subsides after the treatment. Our therapists will customize the ultrasound settings to your needs to ensure safe and effective treatment. In some cases such as active infections or certain heart conditions ultrasound therapy may not be recommended and we will discuss with you the necessary precautions. According to ‘J Ultrasound Med’ therapeutic ultrasound is safe for many applications when used properly.
Safety and Contraindications
While ultrasound therapy is safe, there are some precautions and contraindications to consider:
Pregnancy: Ultrasound therapy is contraindicated during pregnancy due to risk to the foetus.
Cancer: Not to be used to treat cancerous tissue as it may stimulate the spread of cancer cells.
Infection: Treating infected tissue with ultrasound therapy can worsen the infection so it’s avoided in these cases.
Pacemakers: Patients with pacemakers should not have ultrasound therapy near the device as it may interfere with its function.
Metal Implants: Ultrasound therapy is not recommended for areas with metal implants as the sound waves can cause the metal to heat up and damage surrounding tissue.
It’s important that ultrasound therapy is administered by a qualified physical therapist or healthcare professional. Proper training and expertise ensures the treatment is safe and effective and tailored to your specific needs and condition.
How deep do therapeutic ultrasound waves go?
Therapeutic ultrasound delivered through an ultrasound probe can penetrate up to 5cm (2 inches) into the tissue, so it can reach muscles, tendons and ligaments beneath the skin. We adjust the depth according to the area being treated and your individual needs so we can tailor the treatment for maximum effect. By penetrating to these deeper layers therapeutic ultrasound can target specific injuries and areas of discomfort.
How does ultrasound therapy reduce inflammation and scar tissue?
Ultrasound therapy reduces inflammation by increasing circulation and stimulating cellular activity in the treated area. The ultrasound waves create gentle heat that dilates the blood vessels so more blood flows into the tissue. This brings in oxygen and nutrients for healing and flushes out inflammatory agents. This combination of increased blood flow and cellular activity reduces inflammation, relieves pain and speeds up recovery.
Why choose us?
Physical Therapy Associates provides safe and personalized care to get you back to feeling your best. Our qualified therapists are trained in therapeutic ultrasound for many conditions and each treatment is customized to you. Whether you have a new injury or managing chronic pain we can support you on your road to recovery. Call us today to find out more or to book an appointment.