Ultrasound therapy in doctors' offices is becoming more common.
Ultrasound machines help relieve pain and start the healing process by sending high frequency sound waves, which produce heat, deep into the tissues of your injured area. Doctors, physical therapists and occupational therapists use ultrasound machines as approved treatment in physical therapy for a variety of painful conditions and injuries that usually involve the musculoskeletal system. Such conditions include tendonitis, sprains, strains, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and back pain.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
When people hear the word "ultrasound," they usually think of a medical device that takes images of anatomical structures to make medical diagnostics. For example, ultrasonography as a diagnostic technique is different than therapeutic ultrasound, which takes images of soft tissues that are solid and are filled with fluid. Another example is three-dimensional ultrasounds that are used with pregnant women to evaluate the status of fetuses. This type of ultrasound is also used to check for abnormalities in the heart, prostate and thyroid gland and to check for certain diseases.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound uses a device that has a console that is plugged into an AC adaptor. It then provides electrical current via a coaxial cable to a transducer head (applicator). This applicator where the ultrasound waves are emitted hover over the skin of your injured area. This process transmits heat to your soft tissue by using a gel as a medium. Your physical therapist will move the applicator over your skin in slow circular movements to prevent burns. A treatment session will usually last five to 10 minutes and will be performed in three to five sessions a week or as needed.
Ultrasound Techniques
Ultrasound used in physical therapy can be administered in either a continuous wave or a pulsed wave. Continuous wave therapy involves more heat because it uses higher wave frequencies. It is used to provide mechanical effects by repairing soft tissues and speeding up the metabolism of your cells. Pulsed wave therapy provides less heat in an intermittent format and is used to treat acute inflammation, pain and wound care.
Phonophoresis
The process of phonophoresis is often used in ultrasound physical therapy. Phonophoresis is a method where topically applied drugs are used with a conductive medium (usually a gel) to transfer particular drugs deep into your affected skin. This process allows your physical therapist to supply medicine only to your injured area and not to your entire system. The downside of phonophoresis is that only certain medicines can be used for treatment. The medicine has to have the right size molecules to enter you skin and has to be able to tolerate the heat and vibrations of the ultrasound machine.
Benefits
Using ultrasound waves in physical therapy can provide many benefits for your painful condition. Foremost, the heat from the waves helps to stimulate blood flow, which carries nutrients, oxygen and antibodies to your injured area. This stimulated blood flow kick starts the healing process and reduces inflammation and swelling. Further, ultrasound helps to improve circulation by speeding up your metabolism in your affected area. The gentle heat will massage your injured muscles and tendons, which will then help them to recover from tissue damage and in addition, will reduce scar tissue.
Tags: your injured, injured area, physical therapy, your injured area, area This
