Ultrasound Therapy

We may use ultrasound therapy to treat certain conditions or diseases that cause pain in the connective tissue of the musculoskeletal system, includingyourligaments, tendons and fascia. Ultrasound therapy may also be used to treat any scar tissue that is located in the same connective tissue regions of the body.

Therapeutic ultrasound provides three primary benefits to physical therapy patients, starting with facilitating an accelerated healing process for injured areas of the body, through increased blood flow and circulation. Ultrasound therapy also eases pain, by reducing swelling and edema in the targeted areas. And third, therapeutic ultrasound also provides pain relief, by soothing muscles with a deep heating effect, in addition to helping patients heal, by breaking up scar tissue in the tendons and ligaments, at the point of application.

There are two types of ultrasound therapy that we use to treat patients with soft tissue pain or injuries. Thermal ultrasound therapy is the first option, which creates a deep warming effect in the soft tissues, while accelerating the healing process through increased metabolism at the cellular level. Mechanical ultrasound therapy may also be used, providing a minor warming effect, while causing the expansion and contraction of microscopic gas bubbles in the soft tissues, which helps to reduce scar tissue and swelling.

Ultrasound is applied using an applicator or transducer that comes into direct contact with the patient's skin. The head of the applicator is completely covered with gel, helping to reduce friction and facilitate the transmission of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound devices used by physical therapistsemploy alternating compression and sound wave rarefaction with a frequency of >20,000 cycles/second at 0.7 to 3.3 MHz. The ultrasound waves that are produced, are primarily absorbed by the connective tissue in the treatment area, including the ligaments, tendons and fascia, as well as any scar tissue.

Therapeutic ultrasound is used to treat a wide range of conditions that affect the soft tissues of the body, including, but not limited to the following diseases or dysfunctions: bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, facet irritation, impingement syndrome, joint inflammation, ligament sprains, metatarsalgia, muscle strains, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, phantom limb pain, rheumatoid arthritis, scar tissue adhesion and tendonitis.

Please contact us if you would like more information about ultrasound therapy.