Therapeutic Ultrasound
What Is It?
Therapeutic ultrasound uses the behaviour of sound waves in living tissue to achieve both thermal (heat) and non-thermal effects.
How Does It Work?
In body tissues, ultrasonic waves strike molecules that are constantly in motion. Upon colliding with sound waves, the kinetic energy of the molecules is converted to heat. The application of heat to joint capsules, ligaments, tendons and scars increases their elasticity.
Therapeutic ultrasound can heat tissues at depths of 3-5cm from the skin's surface, much deeper than the 1cm depth achieved from the application of superficial heat in the form of a hot pack applied to the skin's surface.
Moderate tissue heating:
- provides pain relief
- reduces muscle spasms
- improves circulation
- promotes healing by a variety of mechanisms
Therapeutic ultrasound can also be used to enhance delivery of topically applied medications through intact skin through a process called "Phonophoresis". This technique is particularly useful in treating localized tendonitis and bursitis with anti-inflammatory medications, minus the systemic side-effects of these drugs.
Conditions Treated
The thermal effects of therapeutic ultrasound can be used to treat the following conditions:
-
Muscle tension/spasm
- Trigger points (muscle knots) stemming from old injuries
- Back spasm (either primary or secondary "muscle guarding" relating to intervertebral disc disease or spondylosis)
- Joint and muscle contracture secondary to prolonged mobilization
- Tendonitis and bursitis